Mandy De Vries, MS – RCL/Ed, RRT, RRT-NPS, has joined the AARC team as the new Director of Education.
“Providing relevant, high-quality education opportunities for our members and respiratory therapists everywhere is a top priority for the AARC,” said AARC Chief Operating Officer Doug Laher, MBA, CAE, CMP, RRT, FAARC. “We know Mandy will bring this great content to the AARC, helping both satisfy this mission and strengthen the profession.”
In addition to regular monthly live webinars managing the robust catalog of recorded courses, De Vries will also be integral in working with the AARC Program Committee to develop content for Summer Forum and Congress.
“We also look forward to any new education opportunities Mandy will bring to the AARC membership,” Laher said. “Her fresh perspective and experience will be vital to this effort and critical to the future of AARC education.”
De Vries, an RRT, adjunct educator and ECMO specialist, comes to the AARC from the Medical University of South Carolina where she split her time between patient care and developing a respiratory care curriculum for a soon-to-be-opened hospital-based RT program. She also serves as an adjunct professor at Newberry College.
“I have always believed that knowledge is power. And it is through this power of education that we as respiratory therapists can positively impact our patients and their families, in both their care and quality of life,” De Vries said. “It truly is an honor and a privilege to join in this opportunity with the AARC to strengthen the educational growth of respiratory therapy.”
De Vries earned her Master of Science degree in Respiratory Care from Northeastern University and is now pursuing her Doctorate in Education degree at Northcentral University in San Diego. In addition to her education, De Vries brings years of experience working in neonatal and pediatric intensive care as well as adult critical care.
Respiratory therapy is also a personal mission for De Vries.
“I have two sons—Eli, who is 12, and Liam, who is 10,” De Vries said. “They both have respiratory issues, and they are ‘My Why’ in what I do every day and my driving passion for education.”
De Vries started with the AARC on August 1.
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.
