Director-at-large
Dana Evans
Director, Respiratory Care Services
Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago
Member Since: 1999
AARC Activities:
- Member, Board of Directors, Director at Large 2018-Present
- Member Advance Practice Respiratory Therapist Committee; 2016 – Present
- Member, Elections Committee; 2018-Present
- Member, Program Committee, Neonatal and Pediatric Track; 2018 – Present
- Member, Finance Committee; 2016 – 2019
- Member, Sub Audit Committee; 2016 – 2019
- Member, Management Section, 2012-present
- Member, Neonatal and Pediatric Section, 2002-present
- AARC Specialty Practitioner of the Year, Management Section, 2013
HOD Activities:
- Delegate, Missouri Society for Respiratory Care, 2013-2016
- House of Delegates Treasurer, 2016-2018
- Student Mentorship Committee, House officer liaison, 2016-2018
- Delegate Assistance Committee, House officer liaison, 2016-2018
- Professional Mentorship and Volunteerism, House officer liaison, 2016-2018
- Co-Chair, Student Mentorship Committee, 2014-2016
- Member, Student Mentorship Committee, 2013
- Member, Scrutinizing Committee, 2013-2016
Affiliate Activities:
- Vice President-Elect, Missouri Society for Respiratory Care, 2009-2010, 2011-2012
- Vice President, Missouri Society for Respiratory Care, 2010-2011, 2012-2013
- Delegate, Missouri Society for Respiratory Care, 2013-2016
- Director at Large, Missouri Society for Respiratory Care, 2011
- District III Vice-President, Missouri Society for Respiratory Care, 2007-2009
- Chair, Missouri Society for Respiratory Care Education Committee, 2006-2016
- Co-Chair, Missouri Society for Respiratory Care Annual Missouri State Conference Planning Committee, 2009-2013
- Chair, Missouri Society for Respiratory Care Professional Education Grant, 2007-2016
- Chair, Missouri Society for Respiratory Care Glen Kolander Memorial Leadership Award, 2012-2016
- Co-Chair, Missouri Society for Respiratory Care Fall Symposium Specialty Conference, Neonatal and Pediatric Section, 2014
- Missouri Society for Respiratory Care, Craig A. Ziegelbein Service Award, 2012
- Missouri Society for Respiratory Care, Presidents Recognition Award, 2011 and 2012
Related Organizations:
- Member, Children’s Hospital Association, Respiratory Directors Forum, 2016-present
- Member, Children’s Hospital Association, Respiratory Care Directors Forum Program Planning Committee; 2018-Present
- Member, Respiratory Care Program Advisory Board, University of Missouri, 2009-present
- Member, Respiratory Care Program Advisory Board, Rush University, 2016-present
- Member, Respiratory Care Program Advisory Board, Moraine Valley Community College, 2017-present
- Member, Respiratory Care Program Advisory Board, Malcolm X College, 2020-present
- Consultant, National Board for Respiratory Care, Neonatal and Pediatric Specialty Exam Committee, 2014-2018
- Subject Matter Expert, Solutions for Patient Safety, Pediatric Ventilator Associated Events Committee, 2017-2020"
Education:
- Master of Healthcare Administration (MHA), University of Missouri-Columbia, 2007
- Bachelor of Health Sciences (BHS) Respiratory Therapy, University of Missouri-Columbia, 2001
- RRT, RRT-NPS
Publications:
- Evans, DL. The Impact of COVID-19 on Respiratory Therapist Burnout. Respiratory Care. 2021;66(5):881-883.
- Evans, D. Feedback Isn’t a Dirty Word. AARC Times. May 2019.
- Evans, D. Food Allergies-Always Read the Label! Allergy and Asthma Health. Winter 2016.
- Evans, D. The RTs Role in Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia Prevention and Management. AARC Times. January 2014.
- Evans, D. Ventilating the Pediatric Patient. AARC Times. August 2015.
- Turabelidze, G., Gee, J.E., Hoffmaster, A., Manian, F., Butler, C., Byrd, D., Schildknecht, Chavez Hauser, L., Duncan, M., Ferrett, R, Evans, D., Talley, C. Contaminated Ventilator Air Flow Sensor Linked to bacillus cereus colonization of Newborns. Emerging Infectious Diseases. 2013; 19(5): 781-783.
Elections Committee Questions:
What do you see as the biggest challenge facing the AARC and what do you recommend to address it?
In my opinion, the biggest challenge facing the AARC is membership. At present, membership in the AARC only represents a small percentage of the total number of respiratory therapists in the United States. This puts the AARC at a disadvantage when lobbying congress and/or local officials on legislative issues important to us and to our patients. In chatting with members and non-members around the country I have often heard two key reasons for lack of membership: perceived lack of value or a belief that the organization does not adequately represent them. Working to address these concerns will help to grow our membership. I believe this can be done through transparency and communication of the great work and services offered by the AARC, focus on diversity and inclusion and through mentorship programs that identify and support new leaders and volunteers.
Healthcare is changing more rapidly than ever. What do you feel is the main issue Respiratory Care Practitioners are facing, and what are the key solutions that you feel should be addressed to support our profession?
COVID-19 has done a great deal to highlight the role of the respiratory therapist. Despite this, many people still do not know who we are. I believe one of the biggest challenges our profession is facing today is recognition and awareness. RTs are advancing care through research and education every day and deserve to be recognized for their efforts. Within hospital walls, our profession is well known, but much more can be done to elevate the incredible work done by RTs in the eyes of the public, our legislators, and those who write public policy. Investment in marketing and public service announcements to educate the public about RT is crucial. Increasing awareness will better position the AARC when lobbying legislators. It will also help to address the national shortage of RT by inspiring future generations to become respiratory therapists.
Role-Specific Questions:
Your role as Director-at-large is to represent the general AARC membership. If given the opportunity to represent, how would you use your skills and experience to advance and advocate for the respiratory care profession?
My more than twenty years of experience as a Respiratory Therapist, program educator, leader and volunteer have allowed me to develop skills in effective communication, program development, financial and budgetary analysis, quality improvement and strategic thinking. I am passionate about ensuring that we are providing high quality, efficient and safe care that demonstrates exceptional value to our patients and those we work with.
The past three years I have spent serving as a Director at Large has been a tremendous honor and one that I take very seriously. In that time, I have considered each issue in regard to how it will impact our profession, our patients and each Respiratory Therapist. If granted the opportunity to continuing serving in this capacity I will continue to advocate for our profession and our patients.
