Virginia Society for Respiratory 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 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 Team What’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……… Currently the VSRC website hosts information about the VSRC, AARC, 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