To meet with members and promote the association, the AARC Executive Office issued a challenge to all affiliates across the U.S. to visit local respiratory care teams. Members of the AARC Executive Office kicked off the challenge by visiting Medical City Denton in Denton, TX.
Shawna Strickland, associate executive director, and Amanda Feil, membership development manager, visited with the team and were even invited to join them for their staff meeting.
“The RTs had questions about coding, healthcare policy, and how the AARC advocates for patients, the profession, and respiratory therapists,” Strickland said. “It was a short visit, but we were happy with the warm reception we received. In all, it was a nice introduction to some folks we hadn’t met before and who we hope to see again.”
Taking up the challenge, the California Society for Respiratory Care has been busy making visits to RT schools and hospital departments as well. They’ve visited Skyline College in San Francisco, San Juaquin Valley College Rancho Cordova Campus in Sacramento, Sutter Roseville Medical Center in Roseville, Kaiser Roseville Medical Center in Roseville, and the Kaiser Morse Medical Center in Sacramento.
“It was a true privilege to have the opportunity to visit the second cohort of BSRT Students at Skyline College on their very first day of orientation in the program,” said Michael Madison, MBA, RRT, and California Society president.
Madison noted that many of the students at Skyline College are continuing their education after completing the Skyline RT Program and several are going back to school so they can advance and do more in their jobs.
“It was an equal privilege to speak with new RT Program Students–their 4th day of class–and soon-to-be graduates–they graduated three days later–at San Juaquin Valley College – Rancho Cordova Campus,” Madison said.
According to Madison, this is a great time to be an RT student.
“Our profession is starting to gain greater traction in so many areas of healthcare and our students, young and old, are in the right place at the right time for a great future,” Madison said.
The AARC “go visit” challenge will continue throughout the year.
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.
