Education Section Chair
Jennifer Anderson, EdD, RRT, RRT-NPS
Program Chair
Midwestern State University
Member Since: 2000
AARC Activities:
- AARC Membership Committee Chair 2019–2020
- AARC Finance Committee Member 2019–2020
- AARC Audit Sub Committee Member 2019–2020
- AARC Education Section Member 2007–Present
- AARC PACT Representative from Texas 2014–2018
HOD Activities:
- HOD Treasurer
- Texas Society of Respiratory Care Delegate 2014–2018
- Co-Chair House of Delegates Volunteer and Mentoring Committee 2016–2018
- Committee Member House of Delegates Volunteer and Mentoring Committee
- Committee Member House of Delegates Strategic Objective 4 Committee
Affiliate Activities:
- President of North Region 2013–2014
- Election Committee Chair 2016
- Program Committee Co-Chair 2014
- Program Committee 2014–2018
- Student Mentor Chair 2015–2018
- Bylaws and Judicial Committee Member 2016–2018
- Executive Office Task Force Committee Chair 2014
Related Organizations:
- Coalition of Baccalaureate and Graduate Respiratory Therapy Education (CoBGRTE)
- Board of Directors 2014–2018
- Secretary, 2017–2018
- Texas Association of Schools of Allied Health Professions, member 2014–present
- Lambda Beta Society, MSU Faculty Member 2007–present
- NBRC 2001–present
Education:
- EdD, University of North Texas, Denton, Texas, 2014
- M.A, Texas Woman’s University, Denton, Texas, 2007
- RRT, RRT-NPS
Publications:
- Gresham, J., Bowles, B., Gibson, M., Robinson, K., Farris, M., & Felts, J. (2012) Death-planning for the inevitable: a hybrid honors course. Honors In Practice, (8), 43-54.
- Killion, J. B., Johnston, J. N., Gresham, J., Gipson, M., Vealé, B. L., Behrens, P. I., … & Close, D. M. (2014). Smart Device Use and Burnout Among Health Science Educators. Radiologic technology, 86(2), 144-154.
- Gresham-Anderson J. (2015). The Transition Experience of Therapist to Educator, Respiratory Care Education Annual, (23), 28-36.
- Helton, P. R., Gresham–Anderson J. (2017). Life Satisfaction: A Mixed-Method Study of Recent Respiratory Care Graduates, Respiratory Care Education Annual, (26), 31-38.
Elections Committee Questions:
What experience or significant contributions do you have to offer the AARC which would help accomplish one or more of the AARC Horizon Goals as presented by President Schell?
Horizon goal # 2 is communications and marketing. The AARC consistently delivers the right message, to the right audience, at the right time, through the right channel. As the current House of Delegates Treasurer and AARC membership chair, I am a member of the AARC leadership team. In these positions, I have effectively communicated the goals and objectives of the president and the board of directors to the House of Delegates and members. I have also made it a mission to be transparent and keep members informed with the right message. If elected, I will continue to use my experience and strengths to help the AARC to accomplish the goals set out by the president.
What ideas would you present to increase AARC membership?
I would like to continue the “Sunflower” grass roots and provide a personal touch. I have found that when we show the value of the AARC they are likely to join and maintain membership. I am a firm believer of education. Many respiratory therapists are not educated on the value of the AARC. In addition, some directors and managers are not members and do not encourage membership. Meetings must be short and I hit the highlights of the value of the AARC. I answer any questions or misconceptions that they may have. We must encourage them to join the social media pages to stay informed. Follow up with a thank you email and check to see if they have joined or renewed. We must reach new graduate respiratory therapists and find ways to keep them involved through mentorship, social media, and their interests. I would also like to see the AARC partner with ZDoggMD to do a respiratory therapy awareness campaign.
Role-Specific Questions:
What do you feel are the top two or three opportunities facing your section that you believe should be addressed during your term?
I believe the top two opportunities the education section faces are advancing the educational requirements and mentorship. As program chair of a large online bachelor degree completion program, I have helped many students advance their education. I have also worked with many associate degree programs to develop pathways for degree advancement. I believe the education section and educators can work together to help students obtain advanced degrees. The other opportunity the education section faces is mentorship. Many seasoned educators are retiring and we must support new educators. The education section has the opportunity to help mentor new educators and educators advancing into program director and clinical director roles.
