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The learning process never stops for respiratory therapists, which is why Valley Health System organizes the Blue Ridge Symposium to celebrate current trends in respiratory care.
Now in its seventh year, the two-day symposium features expert speakers and allows RTs to earn up to 12 continuing education credits. It is held in Front Royal, Va., part of the scenic Northern Shenandoah Valley. This year's sessions cover topics ranging from ventilator-acquired pneumonia, to patient ventilator synchrony, to a patient's perspective on thriving with cystic fibrosis.
Mary Pat Dusing, RRT, NPS, helps plan the symposium along with a few other dedicated RTs from the 50-member staff. The symposium takes all year to organize. RT staff solicit vendors for financial support and invite top-notch speakers like Robert Kacmarek, Phd, RRT, director of respiratory care, Massachusetts General Hospital, who will give the keynote lecture this year.
"I think it brings a lot of good people to our hospital and gets them to see where a smaller hospital can accomplish big things," said Adrienne Kawatsky, RRT, a staff therapist at Winchester Medical center, one of Valley Health System's five nonprofit hospitals. She admires her colleagues for all the hard work they devote to educating their peers.
The Blue Ridge Symposium will be held Sept. 17 and 18 at the Holiday Inn at Blue Ridge Shadows. About 200 RTs are expected to attend and will walk away with new expertise to use at the bedside. But before they leave, attendees will be sure to take advantage of the area's spectacular mountain vistas and popular recreational activities, which include visiting historical sites, kayaking, canoeing, golf, and hiking.
Visit http://www.valleyhealthlink.com/brs for more information.
Read more stories about respiratory and sleep leaders doing good deeds in their department and community at our Tell Us Your Story page. Do you know a colleague we should interview? Submit your nomination and we'll tell their story!
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