RTMatters

In this episode of RTMatters, host Patrick Dunne is joined by Lori Tinkler, MBA, ICE-CPP, Chief Executive Officer of the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC), for an in-depth discussion on the vital role the NBRC plays in advancing the respiratory therapy profession. While many respiratory therapists know the NBRC as the organization responsible for entry-level credentialing, Lori explains t...

In this episode of RTMatters, host Patrick Dunne is joined by Katlyn Burr, DSL, RRT-NPS, AE-C, FAARC, Senior Director of Respiratory Care, Sleep Medicine, and Biomedical Engineering at Nemours Children’s Health, for an important conversation about the impact of chronic work-related stress on respiratory therapists and other healthcare professionals. Drawing on both her professional expertise and r...

In this episode of RTMatters, host Patrick Dunne is joined by Dr. Douglas Gardenhire, registered respiratory therapist and Chair of the Respiratory Therapy Program at Georgia State University, for an important discussion on inhaler propellants, greenhouse gas emissions, and the evolving environmental impact of respiratory care. The conversation explores the historical transition from CFC propellan...

In this episode of RTMatters, host Patrick Dunne sits down with Garry Kauffman, Past President of the American Association for Respiratory Care (AARC) and a recognized thought leader in operational and organizational issues impacting respiratory care services. The conversation explores one of the most pressing challenges facing the profession today: staffing shortages and their impact on both resp...

In this episode of RTMatters, host Patrick Dunne is joined by Frank Salvatore, MBA, RRT, FAARC and Keith Siegel, MBA, RRT, CPFT, FAARC, co-chairs of the AARC’s 2026 Fellowship Committee, to discuss what it truly means to be recognized as a Fellow of the American Association for Respiratory Care (FAARC). Frank and Keith explain the purpose and significance of AARC Fellowship, outlining the eligibil...

In this episode of RTMatters, host Patrick Dunne speaks with Gina Hoots, MSEd, RRT-ACCS, RPFT, AE-C, Founder and Principal of Hootenanny Joy, about the growing need for respiratory therapists in post-acute care. Gina reflects on her more than 30-year career in respiratory care and how continuous professional development led her to a new and impactful role supporting patients with chronic pulmonary...

In this episode of RTMatters, Patrick sits down with Carri McClure, MBA, RRT, Clinical Supervisor of Respiratory Care at WellStar North Fulton Hospital in Roswell, GA. Carri shares her professional journey in respiratory therapy and discusses how advancing her education helped shape her current leadership role.   The conversation takes a candid look at the growing trend of delegating so-called “ro...

In this episode of RTMatters, host Patrick Dunne continues the conversation with Dr. Robert Joyner, PhD, RRT-ACCS, FAARC, Director of the Richard A. Henson Research Institute at Tidal Health in Salisbury, MD, on the evolving role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in respiratory care. Dr. Joyner discusses how AI can enhance clinical practice through data analysis, workflow support, and individualized...

Get ready for the world’s largest gathering of respiratory care professionals! In this episode, host Patrick Dunne talks with Amanda Nickel, MSc, RRT-NPS, RRT-ACCS, Respiratory Research Clinical Expert at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and Chair of the AARC 2025 Program Committee, for an exclusive preview of the 71st AARC International Respiratory Congress taking place December 6–9, 2025,...

In this episode of RTMatters, Dr. Brian Walsh, PhD, RRT-ACCS, RRT-NPS, RPFT, FAARC, shares his journey in respiratory therapy and explores the many pathways for career advancement in the profession. From specialty credentials to the emerging role of the Advanced Practice Respiratory Therapist (APRT), Dr. Walsh highlights the value of formal education, networking, and degree advancement programs. T...

In this episode, we’re joined by Kevin McQueen, MHA, RRT-ACCS, CPPS, FAARC, System Lead Director of Respiratory Care at the University of Colorado Health System. Kevin shares his career journey in respiratory therapy, including his military service, education, and leadership roles in professional societies. The conversation explores the evolving role of respiratory therapists in healthcare, highli...

Remember, send in your questions or feedback to feedback@rtmatters.com In this episode of RTMatters, we’re joined by Dr. Robert Joyner, PhD, RRT-ACCS, FAARC, Director of the TidalHealth Richard A. Henson Research Institute in Salisbury, MD. With years of experience directing and coordinating clinical research studies, Bob shares valuable insights into the importance of basing respiratory therapy p...

In this first part of a multi-episode series, we delve into the growing role of artificial intelligence (A.I.) in respiratory therapy practice. While A.I. has seamlessly integrated into our personal lives through technologies like Siri, Alexa, and navigation apps, its introduction into the workplace—especially healthcare—has raised concerns about clinical efficacy, patient safety, and job security...

In this episode of RTMatters, we’re joined by Kellianne Fleming, Director of Pulmonary Services at Froedtert & Medical College of Wisconsin and Interim Executive Director of Froedtert Bluemound Rehabilitation Hospital. Kellianne, also the lead author of the influential article "Optimizing Respiratory Therapy Resources by De-Implementing Low-Value Care" from the May 2023 edition of RESPIRATORY...

In this episode of RTMatters, we’re joined by Wendy Fascia, Manager of Respiratory Care, EEG, and ECMO Programs at Crouse Health in Syracuse, NY, and a founding member of the Lung Partners Program. Wendy discusses the gaps in COPD continuing care and how the Lung Partners program at Crouse Health is addressing them. Lung Partners is an innovative COPD disease management program where respiratory t...

In this episode of RTMatters, we’re joined by Ed Coombs, Senior Director of Marketing (Clinical Affairs & Intensive Care) at Draeger, Inc., to explore why some respiratory therapists, including recent grads and seasoned professionals, feel that respiratory therapy is not a viable long-term career. A key theme of this episode is combating the feeling of being under-appreciated and the frustrati...

Welcome to the inaugural episode of RTMatters, a podcast dedicated to the respiratory therapy community! Hosted by Patrick Dunne, this first episode sets the stage for candid conversations about what matters most to respiratory therapists. In this episode, Patrick discusses the challenges facing the profession today, including staffing shortages, increased workloads, and the need for work-life bal...