Wisconsin Members Go to Washington

It was an honor to represent the state of Wisconsin at this years AARC Lobby Day in Washington, DC March 10-11, 2008. Penny Lane (Milwaukee WI), Sharon Randall (Watertown, WI) and I were among 110 respiratory therapist representing respiratory therapist and their patients from over 45 states. We were able to meet with staff members of 5 various house and senate members. Our intent was to inform, educate, and encourage co-sponsorship of the current Pulmonary Rehab and Respiratory Therapy Medicare Bills. You can get more info at www.aarc.org on these bills.

I encourage each of you to contact your house and senate members in your district for support. The AARC website also has formatted letters and representative contacts available. I also encourage you to attend the AARC Lobby Day next year.  This year the WSRC BOD approved to send 4 Therapist; we only were able to get 3 volunteers. That is disappointing when you have over 2500 respiratory therapist in your state. It was very rewarding and an honor to be a part of the evolution of our profession.

Please contact Laura Grennier at laura.grennier@wfhc.org if you would like to be involved in the WSRC PACT and would like to be considered to represent Wisconsin at the 2009 AARC Lobby Day.

Thank you,
Bill Pupanek
wpupanek@meriter.com
WSRC Delegate

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How Meriter Hospital in Madison celebrated RC Week

We had a bake sale raising $400 that went towards funding pulmonary rehabilitation patients.

We also held an MDI/DPI clinic educating healthcare providers, hospital employees, and visitors about the appropriate way to dispense their medication.

Department celebration awarding one of our therapists, Denise Fergusson with the first “Honor a Respiratory Therapist” Award.