This month in our Specialty Practitioner of the Year (SPOTY) Spotlight series, we’re learning more about our Adult Acute Care SPOTY: Donna Tanner, MHA, MBA, RRT, RRT-ACCS.
Bedside has her heart
“I love the bedside and taking care of the most critical patients,” Tanner said. “It’s my biggest reward to see these patients pull through a terrible situation and thrive.”
For Tanner, she can’t imagine herself anywhere else except there at the bedside; however, she is also the department educator. Because of this, she is hoping to take on a more administrative leadership role in the next several years to help drive her team forward.
“I’m proud to have a career that I love,” Tanner said. “I’m proud of my colleagues, my organization, and my profession for always striving for greatness. It’s empowering.”
Adding value
“My AARC membership and being a part of this specialty section is invaluable,” Tanner said. “I get instant access to the brightest minds in the field to help guide me.”
Tanner also appreciates the countless benefits offered by the AARC, as well as the clinical and professional growth opportunities through networking and being part of her specialty section.
“This specialty section has so many strong and talented minds that I use as resources,” Tanner said.
Read, learn and interact
Tanner encourages new members to read and learn what your colleagues have to say, such as through AARConnect.
“Even if you don’t participate in the discussions at first, just read and learn from all of this talent,” Tanner said. “When you can, interact. Whether it’s case studies or offering your opinion, you will learn so much and be so grateful that you finally got involved!”
For 2017-2018, eight specialty sections in the AARC each selected one member to be named Specialty Practitioner of the Year (SPOTY) for their section. Criteria for this award included the nominee’s professional service, leadership, as well as whether the individual has furthered the art of science of respiratory care through outstanding contribution to, or service in, a specialty area of practice. We will feature each of our SPOTY members throughout the year in a special SPOTY Spotlight.
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.
