virginia society for respiratory care. in the beginning………. in 1974 virginia practitioners...
TRANSCRIPT
Virginia Society forRespiratory Care
In the Beginning……….In 1974 Virginia practitioners
voted to establish the VSRT (Virginia Society for Respiratory Therapy) and with the AART (American Association for Respiratory Therapy) permission, the VSRT was established in 1975.
Relon Cutchins from Suffolk was elected the first VSRT president and the Society was divided into 4 chapters. Northern, Central, Western and Tidewater.
In 1986 the AART changed its name to the American Association for Respiratory Care (AARC) and along with the name change of the AART, the VSRT became the
VSRC.
In the 1990’s the VSRC redistributed the 4 chapters into the current 5
districts, Blue Ridge, Central, Northern, Tidewater and Western.
VSRC Objectives……• Facilitate cooperation and
understanding among respiratory care professions, hospitals, service companies, industry, governmental organizations, and other agencies interested in Respiratory Care.
• Advance the science, technology, ethics, and art of Respiratory Care through institutes, meetings, lectures, publications, and other materials.
• Provide education to the
general public in pulmonary health promotion and disease prevention.
• Encourage, develop, and provide educational programs for those persons interested in respiratory therapy and cardiopulmonary diagnostics.
Educational Activities…..
The VSRC sponsors 3 annual educational symposiums and
trade shows.
The VSRC conferences encourage
professional organization membership through
registration costs and lecturer messages. Themes of VSRC programs often mirror AARC
programs to further identify the VSRC as our state voice to our
national professional organization. Our symposiums also address educational needs
of students and encourage active professional participation.
Our five Districts are equally active providing meetings to
update membership on professional and legislative
issues and educational events tied to the business meeting. All of our districts offer a wealth of information to the membership
and continue to encourage professional accountability. All
medical professionals are welcome to attend any meetings,
including nurses, pharmacists, residents and doctors.
All five of our districts offer educational CRCE’s throughout the year for all respiratory care professionals. Those CRCE’s are free to AARC members with a $10.00 fee per CRCE for non-members.
Getting the Word out………
The VSRC, through it’s 5 Districts, gets
involved in community activities to help get the
word out about our
profession.
Respiratory Care Week
allows practitioners to get out into the community to sponsor health
fairs, public education,
career fairs and PFT screenings to showcase our
profession.
Some districts get involved with the school systems by speaking to PTA
groups and School Nurses about
asthma.
Several
districts get involved with the American
Lung Association of
Virginia to volunteer and
promote asthma
education and research.
Several
therapists within the VSRC
have done excellent jobs
with promoting our profession
utilizing various forms of media such as radio,
newspaper and television.
Other therapists
have been recognized for
their contributions to
the field of Respiratory
Care. Showing their passion
and commitment to their chosen
profession.
Legislative Affairs……Our Political Advocacy Contact
Team – PACT – keeps information flowing to our membership
about legislative issues relevant to the future of our profession.
Several VSRC professionals travel to Capital Hill as well
as Richmond to address issues such as Prospective Payment in Skilled Nursing Facilities, Outpatient Care,
and Home Health Care; Home Medical Equipment issues;
Medicare Reform; Medicaid; Tobacco and other federal
and state issues.
Political Advocacy Contact
TeamWhat’s in it for you ?
• Advance your own profession• Increase your visibility
• Keep informed on professional issues
• Network with others across the country on crucial issues
Affiliate Activities………
www.VSRC.org
Currently the VSRC website hosts information about the VSRC,
AARC, email lists for information and a resource for answers to
professional questions. It is also acts as a forum to our
practioners to keep you up to date on issues and events relating to our profession.
Your VSRC Board of Directors