TSRC State Conference Rescheduled to 2021
The Tennessee Society For Respiratory Care has rescheduled the State Convention and Exhibition to April 12-13, 2021. The conference will still to be held in Memphis at the Hilton as originally planned. Due to concerns with COVID-19, we just cannot take the risk of gathering for the educational event in 2020. We do look forward to the spring and hopefully allowing us to get together live and growing our knowledge and celebrating our profession.
The TSRC will be posting some pre-recorded videos soon to help the licensed RT’s in TN get CEUs. Safety and ethics will be posted along with other topics. To help licensed healthcare professionals in Tennessee, Governor Bill Lee has removed the requirement for face to face CEUs for 2020 due to COVID-19. However, 12 CEU’s are still expected for this year.
2020 TSRC Elections Are In and the Results Are:
Donna Marshall – State Vice-President
Tammy Robinson – State secretary
Marla Kirk – State Treasurer
A big congratulations to these ladies in being elected in these positions. They will all serve until July 1, 2022.
Also thanks to Pam Ditto for serving as President until July 1, 2022. I have now moved into Past – President until July 1, 2021.
Thanks also to Kim Kermeen who has served as the State Treasurer for the last two years.
State offices require a big commitment of time, energy, and constant focus on the issues facing the profession. I personally want to thank all that have supported me over the last two years, in my role as State President and would encourage you to support Pam in her President role as well. Let us know if we can assist with any needs that you may have. Stay safe, mask up, wash those hands and remain COVID free. Thanks for all that you have done clinically across the state in caring for COVID patients. I am very proud of our profession and all of the countless hours Respiratory Therapists spend at bedside staying committed to making every breath count. You are true clinical heroes!!
Respiratory Therapists Facing Challenges While Fighting COVID-19
From WKRN.com – Nashville
by: Elizabeth Lane, WKRN Web Staff
Posted: Apr 21, 2020 / 05:47 AM CDT / Updated: Apr 21, 2020 / 06:47 AM CDT
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — Some on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic are facing some of the toughest challenges as part of this crisis.
Respiratory therapists are dealing with unprecedented struggles while trying to help patients recover from the coronavirus.
When a patient has trouble breathing, a respiratory therapist is called to their bedside around the clock.
Troubled breathing is one of the top symptoms of COVID-19 and the respiratory therapists are unsung heroes fighting on the front lines alongside doctors and nurses.
President of the Tennessee Society for Respiratory Care Susan Parsons said her therapists must change masks and protective gear for every new patient they treat. That process slows them down as they move from patient to patient.
“To do all of that and work in a patient’s room, not only can your body heat make you hot and start sweating, that’s a big challenge to have to go from room to room, dress out, wash your hands, take all of that equipment off, and then wash your hands with soap and water and moving to the next patient, that obviously slows you down,” explained Parsons.
She said respiratory therapists train their entire career to respond to diseases like coronavirus.
Parsons added the only way to guarantee you won’t catch COVID-19 is by not being exposed and social distancing — or at the very least wearing a mask — is the only way to keep that from happening.
“Opening things back up, I understand we can’t go forever like this, and it’s probably going to take some models that I’ve seen, two years plus before we can get vaccines on board, get people vaccinated and keep these cases from coming up. But in the meantime, people have to wear a mask covering their mouth and covering their nose,” said Parsons.
AARC Asks That RTs Be Added to Heroes Fund
Today the AARC sent a letter to House and Senate Congressional leaders urging them to specifically recognize respiratory therapists as essential health care providers for the lifesaving care they are delivering to patients with COVID-19 in any legislative provision that authorizes hazard pay for essential workers, like the Heroes Fund proposal. We also reminded them we sent a letter earlier asking that RTs be included as telehealth practitioners in any additional stimulus package being developed.
TSRC 2021Reunion Party & Dance at State Convention
On Monday, April 12th, from 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM the TSRC will host a 2021 Reunion Party & Dance in the Hilton Memphis Grand Ballroom. We will have a live band, Twin Soul, providing music for our event.
For convention attendees, your registration fee includes admission to the reunion party. For therapists and friends not attending the TSRC State Convention, there will be a $10 cover charge.
Introducing the TSRC Students Page
We have added a new section to the TSRC website, the Students page! We hope that RT students throughout Tennessee will be inspired by the new section, and support it by sending content. Respiratory Care program directors in Tennessee are encouraged to send news and articles about projects their students are undertaking or have completed.
To kickoff the new section, Kylie Marshall has provided a brief article, and a video of her trip to the 2018 AARC Congress and House of Delegates. The article and video can be seen here: https://tntsrc.org/students/.
Thank you Kylie, for helping to get the Students page going.