Adult Acute Care Section Chair
Elisabeth Caldwell
Director of Clinical Education/Faculty Instructor
St. Philip’s College
Member Since: 2012
AARC Activities:
- Member of AARC 2012 (10 years)
- Member Adult Acute Care Section 2022
Affiliate Activities:
- Texas Society of Respiratory Care (TSRC) South Texas Region Secretary 2018 (2 years)
- TSRC Student Delegate Committee 2018 (2 years)
- TSRC South Texas Region Communications Chair 2021 (1 year)
Related Organizations:
- St. Philip’s College Respiratory Care Advisory Board Secretary 2020
Education:
- MBA Healthcare Management, Western Governors University 2021
- BSRC, RRT UT Health San Antonio 2012
Elections Committee Questions:
What do you see as the biggest challenge facing the AARC and what do you recommend to address it?
I think one challenge facing the AARC is keeping active membership thriving and Respiratory Therapists engaged. Respiratory therapists have been through a great deal the last few years and probably haven’t had the time to focus on their continuing education and networking. I think as the world of respiratory therapy continues to adapt and evolve, respiratory therapists can find that motivation to push ourselves in the respiratory field. Having more face-to-face seminars and conventions may help to motivate growth in the profession and keep the thrill of learning alive. The AARC has started the process of finding this balance, and we need to continue pushing and working towards more publications, more engagement activities for therapists, and highlighting the strengths of exceptional therapists in the community.
What ideas do you have to help todays Respiratory Therapist recover from the pandemic and what do you feel is the main issue Respiratory Care Practitioners are facing, and what key solutions should be addressed to support our profession?
Giving Respiratory therapists more responsibility and acknowledgment within the profession is the first step to showing how meaningful therapists have been the past few years. I still see plenty of facilities say how short-staffed they are, and therapists are working even harder than ever. Providing them with more benefits and pay within the hospital would help keep great staff in local facilities. Getting the acknowledgment of an advanced practitioner credential would help highlight that Respiratory Therapists are the experts when it comes to lung health. We should be able to showcase therapists’ skills and how they continue to be an integral part of the care team. A few key solutions we should address are autonomy of care, highlighting the profession’s exceptional outcomes, and advancing the profession.
Role-Specific Questions:
Value of this section is important. If given the opportunity to represent, what would you do to increase the value to this section and how would you increase section membership?
Adding value to the Adult Acute Care Section is important as it directly relates to those therapists on the front lines working with our adult population. The section provides the latest and most influential information and highlights the current practices of our therapists. There is great value in what this section represents and being a part of that would be an honor. Having frequent therapist highlights within the hospitals and showing appreciation and dedication to those putting in the work to care for our loved ones is a high priority. Increasing membership in the section can be done through increased networking opportunities and events. As an educator, I always express to my students the importance of being part of organizations such as the AARC and using the tools that are available to them. If we keep the momentum of furthering this profession and showcasing our strengths, there are infinite possibilities.
