|
Congratulations to Barb Budimlija
 Mid-State Technical College is celebrating Respiratory Care Week with a reception to acknowledge the most recent recipient of the Respiratory Therapist Program Outstanding Alumnus! The 2011 winner is Barb Budimlija.
Barb is a 1978 graduate who is currently a Physician’s Assistant at Aspirus Pulmonary and Critical Care. Prior to attending PA school, Barb was a staff therapist and Team Leader at Aspirus Wausau Hospital. Barb’s nominator, Gary Nikolai, commented in her nomination form that “(M)y first impressions of Barb included the tremendous professionalism she exhibited, the passion and caring for others she possessed, the respiratory technical expertise she had learned from MSTC and through real life experiences, and the natural leadership qualities as others followed her without pause.”
Mid-State Technical College is proud to recognize Barb Budimlija as the 2011 recipient of the Respiratory Therapist Program Outstanding Alumnus!!
Governor Scott Walker Proclaims November COPD Awareness Month
 Governor Scott Walker has Proclaimed November to be COPD Awareness Month.
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a progressive lung disease that makes it difficult to breathe. It can cause coughing that produces large amounts of mucus, wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness and other symptoms. Smoking is one of the leading causes of COPD., however in some cases nonsmokers who lack a protein called alpha 1 antitrypsin can develop COPD as well
Until Recently COPD was ranked the fourth leading cause of death in this country and was expected to move up to the third leading cause of death worldwide by 2020. This all changed in December of 2010 when CDC released a report claiming the disease has moved up 12 years early, and as of 2008, it is now the third leading cause of death in the
United States.
In 2008 2,454 Wisconsin residents died from COPD. There were 8,390 hospitalizations in Wisconsin resulting in $131.6 million dollars in direct medicalexpenses, and there were an additional 6,755 Emergency Department visits resulting in $13 million dollars in direct medical expenses. Twelve million people in the United States have been diagnosed with COPD and it is estimated that another twelve million people have it and don’t even know it.
Wisconsin is taking a stand to encourage people to get tested. If you think you may have COPD, contact your Physician to have your lung function tested. Early detection means early treatment which will slow down the progression of the disease and maintain quality of life.
For more information about COPD programs and support groups, call the lung help line
1-800-LUNG-USA or visit their website at www.lungwi.org
Congratulations to Greg Spindler!
 Mid-State Technical College celebrated Respiratory Care Week with a reception to acknowledge the most recent recipient of the Respiratory Therapist Program Outstanding Alumnus! The 2010 winner is Greg Spindler.
Greg is a 1994 graduate who is currently the Director of Respiratory Care and Sleep Medicine at Sacred Heart Hospital in Eau Claire Wi. His past work history includes home care, acute care, mobile health care and management. He has been active in the WSRC since 1996 serving in carious capacities from district representative to president! At present, Greg serves on the Mid-State Technical College Respiratory Therapist Advisory Committee as President.
Greg’s nomination includes the statements “He is a great role model for anyone he encounters. I cannot think of anyone who promotes Respiratory Care (more).
Greg is not only an excellent Respiratory Therapist, Teacher and Director… He is a great person as well”.
Mid-State Technical College is proud to recognize Greg Spindler as the 2010 recipient of the Respiratory Therapist Program Outstanding Alumnus!!
2010 WSRC BOD Retreat
Your WSRC Board met in Steven’s Point on October 7-8 for a retreat. The purpose was to provide an introduction/orientation for new and current board members, to discuss current issues, and set goals/action plans for the year.
Topics discussed included:
- Membership-webcast/discussion with AARC to increase state membership
- Disease awareness - Drive4COPD Campaign
- Individual Goal setting
- 2011 Budget Planning
- Communication to membership - website
- 2011 Elections - Are you interested in participating?
- AARC 2015 and beyond- Future education for respiratory therapist
If interested in attending a future board meeting please contact Anne Flaten at AFlaten@uwhealth.org
(mouseover thumbnail images to view larger)
|
