Director at Large
Kerry McNiven, MS, RRT
Professor, Director of Clinical Education
Manchester Community College
Member Since: 1978
AARC Activities:
- Membership Committee, 2019
- Position Statement and Issue Papers Committee, 2019
- Education Section Member Recruitment Campaign, 2016–2018
- Student Retention/Recruitment Subcommittee, 2013–2014
- Education Section — Practitioner of the Year Committee, 2000–2007
- Education Section — Abstract Committee, 2000–2007
HOD Activities:
- Delegate, Connecticut Society for Respiratory Care 2019
- Secretary, 2015–2018
- Delegate, Connecticut Society for Respiratory Care, 2009–2015
- Chair and Co-Chair, Student Mentorship Committee, 2011–2015
- Affiliate Best Practices Committee, 2009–2015
- House of Delegate’s Ad Hoc Committee on Student Mentorship, 2010–2011
Affiliate Activities:
- Secretary, Connecticut Society for Respiratory Care, 1990–1996, 2004–2007
- Board of Directors, Connecticut Society for Respiratory Care, 1988–1990, 1996–03, 2007–2009
- (Chair) Webmaster, Connecticut Society for Respiratory Care, 2010–present
- Chair, Elections, Connecticut Society for Respiratory Care, 2001–2003, 2010–2018
- Chair, Educator’s Committee, Connecticut Society for Respiratory Care, 2013–2014
- Chair, Sputum Bowl/Jeopardy Committee, Connecticut Society for Respiratory Care, 2004–2012
- PACT Representative, Connecticut Society for Respiratory Care, 2014–2015
- Program Committee, Connecticut Society for Respiratory Care, 2015–present
- Strategic Planning Committee, Connecticut Society for Respiratory Care, 2015–2016
- Scope of Practice Committee, Connecticut Society for Respiratory Care, 2014–2016
- Educator’s Committee, Connecticut Society for Respiratory Care, 2004–present
- Plan Fall conference each year
Related Organizations:
- Program Planning Committee, Connecticut Pulmonary Section (formerly the Connecticut Thoracic Society) 2006–2010, 2014–present
- American Lung Association of Connecticut, COPD Day for Practitioners and Patients, 2017, 2018
- Flu Coalition Member 2002–2007, Health Resource Committee, Catch Your Breath Conference Planning Committee, Special day for Better Breather Planning Committee, COPD Conference Planning Committee, American Lung Association of Connecticut, 1998–2000
Education:
- MS, University of Bridgeport, 1988
- BS, SUNY Upstate Medical Center, 1982
- RRT, 1981
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?
I’ve been a respiratory educator for over 30-years. My experience fits well to Horizon Goal 3. As an educator, I am in the “front lines” of education and professional development at the foundational level. I have first-hand knowledge of the challenges that RT trainees and entry-level RT’s face. Their future success in Respiratory Therapy begins here and the future health of the profession as a whole will be up to these individuals. I have extensive experience organizing meetings and events both in fixed locations and for travel abroad. My background in these areas will help support Horizon Goal 4. I’ve provided educational experiences at my college and within my state.
What ideas would you present to increase AARC membership?
The AARC does a good job marketing to its members, but I am uncertain how well they market to non-members, if at all. All RT graduates must attain a credential to become licensed. If the e-mail addresses of all newly credentialed members could be obtained, then a periodic e-mail newsletter could be instituted and maintained for both informational and recruiting purposes. The e-mail newsletters would include valuable information of interest to all RT professionals such as CREC’s and AARC transcripts. With each newsletter, however, the long-term goal would be to encourage non-members to join because membership provides numerous professional benefits.
Role-Specific Questions:
What do you consider to be the greatest opportunity for the respiratory therapy profession and what are your ideas to help realize this opportunity?
One great opportunity is in disease management and prevention plus pulmonary rehabilitation. Until reimbursement for preventative and rehab programs is increased, COPD will become a greater health care crisis than it already is. Telemedicine is another opportunity that should be expanded well beyond its current state-of-the-art. Accessing RTs and HCPs remotely will decrease the health care burden on patients and their families and improve patient outcomes. Patient’s questions/concerns can be addressed 24/7. Live demonstrations can help facilitate understanding without either provider or patient travel.
