The AARC House of Delegates: Your Voice. Our Seat at the Table

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As respiratory therapists, having a voice in the future of our profession is essential. One of the most impactful ways that voice is represented at the national level is through the AARC House of Delegates (HOD).

Every state society—including the Pennsylvania Society for Respiratory Care (PSRC)—elects two Delegates to serve in the HOD. Currently, Gail Varcelotti and Jefferson Mixell represent Pennsylvania. Each Delegate serves a four-year term: two years as Junior Delegate and two years as Senior Delegate. To ensure strong leadership, PSRC requires Delegates to have at least two years of service as a committee chair or Board member.

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What the House of Delegates Does

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The House of Delegates serves as a bridge between frontline respiratory therapists and national AARC leadership. Delegates from every state meet twice each year to discuss:

• Workforce needs

• Education and clinical practice

• Advocacy issues

• The future direction of respiratory care

The HOD reviews and votes on resolutions submitted by state societies. When approved, these resolutions move on to the AARC Board of Directors—where they can shape policy, strategic initiatives, and national advocacy priorities.

What begins as a concern in a department or local society meeting can ultimately help steer the national agenda of our profession.

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How Pennsylvania’s Voice is Represented

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Gail and Jefferson work closely with the PSRC Board, committee chairs, and members to gather ideas, feedback, and concerns. They then draft and refine resolutions for PSRC Board review.

If the Board approves a resolution, it can be submitted to the full HOD for consideration. Delegates also review resolutions submitted by other states and determine how PSRC will vote.

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Highlights from the 2025 HOD Meetings:

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Summer Meeting

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This summer, the HOD:

• Approved a resolution encouraging AARC membership for national HOSA respiratory therapy competition winners

• Continued work to strengthen the AARC Disaster Relief Fund

• Discussed the future of the Advanced Practice Respiratory Therapist (APRT)

• Shared best practices for advancing the Respiratory Care Interstate Compact

• Welcomed two Pennsylvania RT students to observe the delegation process firsthand

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Fall Meeting – Phoenix, Arizona

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At the fall meeting, Delegates focused on:

• Updates from states already implementing the Respiratory Care Interstate Compact

• Location planning for future Summer Forums

• New social media tools for the “Be An RT” campaign

• Discussion of a potential shared national file storage system supported by AARC

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Your Voice Starts the Process

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Every resolution, every discussion, every change begins with frontline RTs speaking up.

If you’re an AARC member, you’re already contributing to this work—your membership strengthens both PSRC and AARC and ensures that Pennsylvania continues to have a strong voice in the HOD.

But Delegates want to hear more directly from you:

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What ideas, challenges, or opportunities do you see in our profession?

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• What should PSRC or AARC focus on?

• What could be improved at the bedside, in leadership, or in education?

Share your thoughts with your Pennsylvania Delegates:

📧 Jefferson Mixell, MBA, RRT, RRT-ACCS – jmixell@pennstatehealth.psu.edu
📧 Gail Varcelotti, BS, MHSA, RRT, FAARC – gailv@ganesco.com

Your ideas help shape the future of respiratory care—at the state level and nationwide.