AARC Summer Forum July 15, 2015

I have no real or perceived conflict of interest regarding this presentation

Bill Morrison 1974 While a student at the University of Chicago Hospitals and Clinics School of Respiratory Therapy Program Director Asked me a simple question and a follow-up What he asked changed my life and career I am eternally grateful to him Were it not for him, most of this might not have occurred

Bill provided application form I completed and mailed it Became a member of AART and Illinois Society for Respiratory Care I was a typical member Paid dues, received publications (read them occasionally), voted, bought liability insurance Tried to stay current

1977 moved to Ankeny Iowa for job Colleague suggested I agree to be nominated for Iowa Society for Respiratory Therapy Board Elected Treasurer of IaSRC in 1978 “The Box” Became involved with Society and began to learn more about the AARC Began to look at how to assist next person to be Treasurer Began to look at what else I might do Two years later elected to House of Delegates

The more I became involved, the more involved I wanted to be Met many of the leaders of the profession while a delegate Saw some of the role of the Board of Directors Began to understand differing roles of House of Delegates and Board of Directors Thought “I don’t have the experience or knowledge the “leaders of the profession” had Really enjoyed experience and learning I experienced in role of Delegate Desired to learn enough to perhaps be a member of the Board of Directors in the future

President of AARC my first year in the House of Delegates Acted as Executive Director while President Demonstrated his passion for profession and Association Always focused on what is best for the patient Long time face and voice of the profession Extremely proud that he presented me with the Jimmy A. Young Medal in 2013

President of the AARC in 1982 A quiet, effective leader of the profession Stayed involved after Presidency Has been in many roles in health care Continues to be advocate for respiratory care Shares his knowledge with the profession Challenges others to take leadership roles Remembers his roots

Served four years in House of Delegates Continued involvement in affiliate activities while in House Served in every office except Secretary Had opportunity to serve as President of IaASRC in 1986

Began to think, maybe I have something more to contribute Feel I have gained far more than I have contributed Be persistent, may not succeed first time Lost more elections than I won Keep after your goal Look for any way you can contribute and learn

Identify what it is about which you are passionate Understand why you are passionate about those things Cultivate that passion and do all you can to be involved with those passions Likely will identify others as you go forward

Understand the role before assuming it Surround yourself with good people Lots of information is provided - read it before you travel to the meeting Spend time every week on your role Keep in contact with other leaders Work at it as you would any other job Ask lots and lots of questions

You can learn a great deal by listening Ask questions and really listen to the answers Pay attention to those who are leading You seldom learn anything new while talking Spend as much time around mentors as you can Emulate those you admire

Des Moines Area Community College has enabled me to be as involved Supported me financially Allowed me to be gone for meetings, conferences, education Supported substitutes during absences

Gerald Peterson Jane Troy-Murphy Glenn Goodwin Pat Leisy Larry Barrett Vicki Claussen Mel Martin Trudy Watson Charlie Brooks

Learn something new about respiratory care every day Learn something new about health care every day Learn something new about leadership every day Learn something new about life every day Learn a new way to contribute back every day

Look beyond your specific profession American Lung Association Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs Health Data Collaborative Health Professions Network

Be aware of those who have interest in contributing Cultivate their interest Assist in identifying their passions Guide them to where you see their strengths to be Assist them to become involved Push them when they need it

Provide opportunity to learn the knowledge, skills, attitudes and abilities needed to begin a successful career in respiratory therapy Develop desire and ability to become a life-long learner Develop graduates into professional respiratory therapists

Share your passion with them Instill professionalism into every class meeting Demonstrate the behaviors you want them to develop Connect them with opportunities for involvement Hopefully each student identifies at least one area for which they have a passion

Each clinical class requires volunteer hours Challenge students to identify some activity/organization in which they have interest Assist them to get connected Hopefully they identify an area of passion Require reflection on the experiences