May 2026 · President’s Letter
Dear ISRC Members,
With over 300 attendees from across Illinois, the 2026 ISRC Conference — Collaboration in Motion — was an incredible success! Thank you for your energy, dedication, and commitment to respiratory care.
🏆 Conference Highlights
The Sputum Bowl was a highlight — congratulations to Rush for taking top honors, and to Lincoln Land and Parkland for outstanding performances. Huge thanks to conference co-chairs Anne Geistkemper and Molly Martin, and to all speakers, volunteers, and faculty. We also celebrated the Malayalee Respiratory Care Association’s 25-year anniversary — a meaningful milestone!
🥇 Awards & Recognition
Congratulations to Lexie Caraway, the 2026 President’s Award recipient, for her outstanding leadership at the local, state, and national levels — including her work advancing the Respiratory Care Interstate Compact.
We also proudly recognized our 2025 award recipients and opened nominations for Respiratory Care Week awards. Nominate deserving practitioners, students, and legacy therapists — deadline: September 1.
📋 ISRC Strategic Focus
Dana Evans presented the AARC Strategic Plan at the conference. ISRC commits to moving respiratory care forward in Illinois through four key areas:
Her presentation will soon be available as an open-access resource on www.isrc.org.
📣 Advocacy: SOAR Act (HR 2902/S1406)
IL ARC PACT Co-Chairs Lisa Zaenger and Lexie Caraway are leading Illinois RTs to Washington DC on June 1–2, 2026 for Advocacy Hill Days. The SOAR Act would ensure patient-centered oxygen access, establish a Patients’ Bill of Rights, and give RTs direct access to patients.
Use the AARC Take Action email template: AARC Take Action Link →
🔬 AARC Research Committee Survey
The AARC Research Committee is conducting a national survey on research and quality improvement activities within RT departments. One representative per clinical RT department (director, manager, or clinical educator) should complete the survey.
Please share with your department leaders across professional networks. Research and Quality Improvement in Respiratory Care Departments →
📅 Upcoming Events
- June 4: Quarterly Board Meeting, 5:30–7:00 PM
- Aug 6: In-Person CRCE Event — Decatur
- 2027: RT Month educational events statewide
Contact us to be added to the recurring Board Meeting invite: Illinois.SRC@gmail.com
🙋 Get Involved
As we transition into the 2026–2028 board term, President-Elect Lori Badgley and I are reviewing committee rosters. Opportunities exist for every level of involvement — education, advocacy, student support, conference planning, and more.
👕 Support Students — Shop ISRC Merchandise!
Our popular “Lincoln Running with the Ventilator” design is now available as a commemorative pin and t-shirt. All proceeds support student engagement and future student programming.
Thank you for everything you do for respiratory care and for the patients and communities we serve. As always, we welcome your ideas — reach out anytime!
With gratitude,
Gina Hoots
ISRC President 2025–2027