Summer Forum 2022 Wraps Up
For the first time since 2019, Summer Forum brought educators and managers from across the country together in person for a premier leadership event in Palm Springs, CA. Complete with smiles, hugs, and hand sanitizer, RTs reconnected through stellar learning sessions, exhibit hall browsing, and networking opportunities. These RT leaders gained tools and resources to help them in their careers and in working with their teams.
Agency Update
Respiratory Therapy leaders came together to deliver the Agency Update. Panelists included AARC President Sheri Tooley, BS, RRT, CPFT, along with Tonya Winders, MBA (ARCF), Kevin O’Neil, MD, MHA, FCCP (CoARC), and David Vines, PhD, RRT, FAARC (NBRC). President Tooley presented the New Era of AARC: the strategic focus of the AARC for 2022-2025, and outlined the imperatives to engage, elevate, advocate and educate in order to serve our members. Leaders of the ARCF, CoARC, and NBRC discussed the latest professional, accreditation, and credentialing issues facing respiratory care. Participants left this presentation with a better understanding of the current and future direction of the profession.
Plenary Lectures Showcase New Research and Initiatives
Lori Tinkler, MBA, ICE-CCP, David Vines, PhD, RRT, FAARC, and Carol Dobies, MBA, delivered the Jimmy Young Memorial Lecture: “Promoting the Profession.” Together, they discussed the NBRC’s recent promotional activities. They also covered the “MoreRTs” campaign, Choose to Give campaign, a new scholarship for each education program, and future plans to promote the profession.
Bill Galvin, MSEd, RRT, FAARC, delivered the Dr H Fred Helmholz Education Lecture Series, discussing the “Characteristics of Successful Respiratory Care Programs: Achieving Excellence in RC Education.” This presentation focused on the theme of success and excellence in RC education and the benefits of using the programs that received the 2021 President’s Award for Credentialing Success. Gavin also reviewed the literature on excellence and success in health professions education. Attendees learned the factors that impact program success and can be employed to improve RC programs.
Networking and Reconnecting
From session breaks, exhibitor meet and greets, and the Summer Forum 2022 Welcome Party, attendees had plenty of time to network and reconnect. Check out the Summer Forum 2022 Facebook album for photos from the event.
Packed Exhibit Hall
Summer Forum 2022 included a record-breaking 38 exhibitors, affording attendees a great opportunity to learn about the latest products and services coming to the respiratory therapy industry. Exhibitors and AARC Corporate Partners helped make Summer Forum 2022 possible, and we appreciate their support to the association and RT profession.
Claim Your CRCE
To add, evaluate, and claim credit for the sessions you attended at Summer Forum 2022 you have two options:
Follow the instructions (linked above) to claim your credit. Deadline for submission is September 30, 2022.
What’s Next?
Join us in New Orleans, LA, for Congress 2022, Nov. 9-12. Stay tuned for program and registration details coming later this summer. We can’t wait to see you in New Orleans!
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.
