2022 will be the year the AARC sets a new course for our support of members and the RT profession. Step one in this journey is developing a strategic plan, which began this past week. AARC board leadership, stakeholders, and staff members came together for a three-day strategic brainstorming session.
A New Vision Emerges
Through facilitated, thought-provoking exercises and discussion, new pathways to achieve our mission began to emerge.
“All new planning and development will be rooted in our effort to elevate the RT profession,” said AARC Executive Director Daniel D. Garrett, CAE. “We will support therapists, educate our communities, advocate, and establish the recognized standard for professional excellence and science in the practice of respiratory therapy and patient care.”
This strategic exercise elicited the priorities and needs for members and served as the first step in developing a new strategic plan for the AARC. This new plan will help the AARC better support members and RTs everywhere, as well as work to build and strengthen the profession internally and externally.
Focus points of the strategic plan will include:
- Elevating and growing the profession
- Bringing tools and resources to members
- Educating the profession
- Advocating for the profession
- Leading in research and RT standard of care
In addition, the AARC will reinvigorate its commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) as unanimously directed by the Board of Directors at the Spring 2022 meeting, by instituting ongoing education and training for all leadership, executive office staff and elected individuals. AARC values and seeks diversity, equity, and inclusive practices within the respiratory care profession and within the association. The AARC will aspire to promote involvement, innovation, and access to leadership opportunities to maximize engagement with diverse populations.
As a pacesetter for the profession, the AARC will strengthen its bonds with partner agencies to increase recognition and opportunities for respiratory therapists.
“To best move the association and profession forward, we need a stronger foothold in the health care community overall. We believe by strengthening the bonds with our partner organizations, we will increase RT standards, expectations, and career opportunities,” said AARC President Sheri Tooley, BSRT, RRT-NPS, CPFT, AE-C, FAARC. “The goal of the AARC is to see respiratory therapists recognized in all care settings. We set our priorities and will continue to work toward this goal until we are successful.”
Next Steps
The result of the strategic session helped define consensus on these concerning topics and explore ways to resolve or improve them.
“We discussed and shared a lot of important concerns and issues with our members. Now, we will begin putting the pieces together,” Dan said. “We need to refine these focus points and find the best route toward a shared vision that will benefit our membership, the association, and the RT profession. Together we will build the RT profession to a premier level that best reflects our collective dedication to patient care.”
As we progress in the development of the plan the AARC will continue to share updates on what this means for members and the profession.
Email newsroom@aarc.org with questions or comments, we’d love to hear from you.
Heather Willden is the Director of Governance and Strategic Initiatives for the AARC where she works with state affiliates as the HOD liaison. She also manages DEI efforts and strategic initiatives. Connect with her about these topics by email, AARConnect or LinkedIn. When she's not working, you can find her podcasting with her husband, exploring new hiking trails, photographing, and spending time with her family.
