President's Message

From the President

Greetings from the Michigan Society of Respiratory Care leadership team.  It is indeed an honor to work side by side with Respiratory Therapists who put themselves out there every day at the workplace as well as represent us on a state and national levels.

This year is an exciting one, with new challenges and opportunities on the local and national fronts. As we are experiencing the first fruits of health care reform, our commitment is reinforced that Respiratory Care must be seen and heard. As a society, our organization has been making our professional interests and needs known at both state and federal government levels.  We are actively engaged with the AARC to coordinate our political action efforts at these levels.

This year for the AARC PACT day, we are sending  two more Respiratory Therapists than in 2010, for a grand total of four representatives to Washington, D.C. to meet with our elected officials representing the interests of our profession and patients! Much work is done prior to and following this trip in order to keep up with the legislative initiatives around our country. This year our team consists of Teena Culhane, Laurie Kushnier, Jeremy Bainbridge, and Jim Taylor.

Educational opportunities abound!  Just take a look at our website for events occurring in your district or a neighboring district. As in previous years, we will be offering outstanding Spring and Fall Conferences as well as a number of smaller conferences at the District levels. If you haven’t attended one in the past, mark your calendar for these outstanding offerings where you will be challenged educationally, earn CEUs, see whats new in the marketplace, grow and renew old friendships and meet new friends all while having a great time!

We at the MSRC will continue to follow the Michigan Board of Respiratory Care in order to keep you up to date on state licensure with regards to continuing education requirements.  The MSRC continues to work closely with the Michigan Board of Respiratory Care to bring forward your professional practice concerns to them, as well as disseminating the latest information available from the Board to our members. 

These are just some of the things MSRC leadership is doing for you this year to promote and protect our profession.  We believe Respiratory Care Practitioners should decide the future of safe and competent Respiratory Care.  If you are currently not a member of the MSRC, we strongly urge you to join. 

We are always looking for Respiratory Therapists who have a passion for our profession. If that is you, we’d like to encourage you to join us on the leadership team from around the state. Wonder what a MSRC house meeting is like?  Wonder no longer!  Check us out at our House meetings held every other month and during both the Spring and Fall Conferences.

If you have any questions, comments, issues, or concerns, please contact me. See you at the conferences and around the state!

Respectfully Submitted,

Alicia Wafer, RRT, BSB/M
President