🎤 Kicking Off the Season

I began right here in Decatur at the Chapter 1 & 3 joint conference in early August. It was a great way to kick things off and a reminder of the energy and enthusiasm throughout Illinois’ Respiratory Care community. Last week, I also had the opportunity to give a brief virtual President’s shout-out to the RTs in Rockford and Chapter 6 as they gathered for their conference.

There was even more happening around Illinois last week! Our NextGen (students and early professionals) held their kickoff meeting, bringing together students from across the state. I loved seeing students connect and begin building relationships that will hopefully continue throughout their education and into their careers. That is exactly the kind of connection we want to encourage.

📅 Upcoming Events & Opportunities

September 24 — Mentoring the Next Generation (Free Virtual Event)

Whether you’re a student, new graduate, experienced RT, educator, or someone who remembers the person who helped you along the way, mentoring is something we can all be part of. It’s free, virtual, and open to all RTs. I hope you’ll join us.

ISRC 2026 Continuing Education Calendar & Registration →

🚗 Then We Hit the Road!

I’ll be traveling around Illinois this fall and would love to see you at one of our upcoming conferences:

• Chapter 5 · October 9 — Springfield: Celebrating the Respiratory Therapist Conference at Lincoln Land Community College (featuring AARC President Dana Evans).
• Chapter 4 · October 22 — Alton: Riverbend Respiratory Conference at Alton Memorial Hospital (plus a post-conference RT Week kickoff party).
• October 24 — Joliet: 2nd Annual Diagnostics Conference at Joliet Junior College (on a Saturday—perfect for Monday through Friday RTs).

I’ll personally be bringing the latest asthma information (aka the GINA guidelines) into practical, real-world conversations with both Respiratory Therapists and patients. Guidelines are important, but knowing how to apply them to improve conversations and care is where the real work happens.

💪 Here’s My Challenge to You

If there is an ISRC event within driving distance, register and go. Seriously.

Come for the CRCEs… but stay for the conversations.

• Talk to an RT you don’t know.
• Sit next to someone from another practice.
• Introduce yourself to a student.
• Find an old colleague.
• Meet someone who works in a whole different area of respiratory care.

The hallway conversations. The lunch-table discussions. The spontaneous introductions. The sudden, “Hey! I haven’t seen you in years!” moments. That is the heartbeat of our profession.

In-person networking is powerful—and it’s something we simply cannot afford to lose.

🌟 Upcoming Statewide & National Highlights

October 28 (6:00–7:30 PM, Virtual) — Every RT Leads
Our statewide Respiratory Care Week celebration will feature keynote speaker Shandra Jamison, followed by the presentation of our 2026 Illinois Respiratory Care Awards. I love this year’s theme because leadership in Respiratory Care doesn’t always look like traditional leadership. Sometimes it’s teaching a student, advocating for a patient, helping a coworker through a tough shift, or simply being the person who says, “I’ve got you.” Every RT leads.

Chapter 2 · November 6 — Chicago
Chapter 2 Conference at UChicago Medicine La Grange. It’s another opportunity to learn, connect with colleagues, and keep the momentum from Respiratory Care Week going.

November 14–17 — AARC Congress in New Orleans
Illinois will be represented in a big way, with our members receiving awards, presenting, and leading. I am especially proud of the Membership Committee for taking their work to the national stage with a poster presentation. It’s a wonderful opportunity to share what we’re doing in Illinois and contribute to the broader Respiratory Care conversation.

🤝 A Fall Full of Connection

When I look at this calendar, what stands out isn’t simply the number of events—it’s the opportunity to connect:

• To connect experienced RTs with students.
• To connect patients with better information.
• To connect colleagues from different parts of Illinois.
• To connect our state society with the larger Respiratory Care profession.

And maybe, in the process, to reconnect with the reason we became Respiratory Therapists in the first place. So, find an event near you and register. Bring a coworker. Bring a student. Come by yourself and meet someone new. You don’t have to know anyone when you walk through the door—that’s how networking works.

ISRC 2026 Continuing Education Calendar & Registration Links →