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