The Virginia Society of Respiratory Care (VSRC) will meet for the first time in Danville at Danville Regional Medical Center (DRMC) for its semi-annual district meeting on June 9.  The meeting will begin at 5:30 p.m. in the Hoover Auditorium.

“We are honored to host the VSRC meeting, as respiratory therapists in this immediate area have never had the opportunity to attend a meeting so close to home and represent our hospital and community,” said Heather Kalill, clinical manager of Respiratory Care and Neurodiagnostic Services at DRMC.  “It gives us the chance to showcase our facilities and the high quality respiratory care provided to our community.”

Danville Regional was selected as the host for the semi-annual district meeting because of the hospital’s relationship with the J. Sergeant Reynolds Community College (JSRCC) and its clinical affiliation with the distance learning respiratory care program at Danville Community College (DCC).

“We’re even more proud that as a clinical site, we are able to help local students complete their educational requirements,” added Kalill.

“The professional relationship between JSCRCC’s Distance Education Coordinator of Respiratory Care and associates of the DRMC’s Respiratory Department, along with the successful student education provided by the hospital, made for the ideal situation for VSRC to have its meeting at Danville Regional,” said Sherry Compton, RRT, AE-C, J. Sergeant Reynolds, Distance Education Coordinator.  “Positive changes have been made by the Respiratory Department within JSRCC’s distance learning program, and we are thankful for Danville Regional’s investment in the program.”

“One of the objectives of the VSRC is to promote continuing education, and we are thrilled to partner with DRMC with this two-hour educational event,” said Lois Rowland, RRT-NPS, RPFT, VSRC President.  “We look forward to continuing our connection to Danville with education and community outreach projects.”

During the meeting, VSRC will review its business agenda and discuss two respiratory education topics.  The first topic of discussion, entitled “Care of the Patient with a Tracheostomy Tube,” will be presented by Tim Sharkey, BS, RRT-NPS, RPFT, RPSGT, COVIDIEN - Airway Management Specialist.  Compton will later highlight educational opportunities of respiratory care at DCC and JSRCC through the distance learning program for respiratory therapy, as well as a new sleep program offered and overall professionalism.

Approximately 50 health care professionals from across the state will be attending the meeting.  Local Danville attendees will include Kalill, Stacey Smith, Director of Respiratory Care and Neurodiagnostic Services at DRMC, hospital associates and students in the distance learning program, as well as members of the VSRC Blue Ridge and Central districts. 

The VSRC is the state society of respiratory professionals and an affiliate of the American Association of Respiratory Care.  It is split into five districts throughout the state of Virginia, all based on
geographic location.

Danville Regional is the leading medical center in the Dan River Region of Virginia and North Carolina, providing open heart surgery, spinal surgery and advanced cancer treatment.  Approximately 140 physicians are on the medical staff.  The medical center employs approximately 1,200 people.  For additional information, visit http://www.danvilleregional.com.

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