From the RC Director’s Chair

Leaders Identify Themselves in Tough Times

Scott E. Leonard — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 13:26:00 GMT

"Out of every crisis comes a chance to be reborn" --Nena O'Neill I have found that leaders in all fields become who they are -- and better at what they do -- during the hardest of times. If we look back at our past leaders, we can see that they are remembered...(read more)

Air, Water Quality Problematic

Scott E. Leonard — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 01:33:00 GMT

During my final days here in China , I realized some things that I take for grated. You couldn't find a glass of ice water if you wanted to, or even ice cubes. Every restaurant serves water in a glass, hot and steaming. Even in the hotel room, I received...(read more)

Smoking Embraced, Pollution Pervasive

Scott E. Leonard — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 13:42:00 GMT

I am writing to you today from the providence of Hubei, China, about three hours south of Beijing. I took the opportunity to visit China to review the air quality and H1N1 response in which I hope to formalize a paper later in the year. It is amazing...(read more)

Health Care Reform and the GOP Win

Scott E. Leonard — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 18:03:00 GMT

During these last few weeks, the news regarding health care reform has been nothing short of amazing. Who would have thought in Massachusetts that Republican Scott Brown would win the long-held Democratic Senate seat. I could not help to wonder if the...(read more)

Order It Now

Scott E. Leonard — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 19:31:00 GMT

Does your department have unspent capital? What are you waiting for? If your financial department is based on the October calendar year, then you will be starting your fiscal year 2010 operational budgets in April-May. Capital approved in October 2009...(read more)

Where Should I Work?

Scott E. Leonard — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 12:58:00 GMT

I often have a chance to speak with students on finding the perfect place to work. I use the acronym "FIT" (Facility, Interaction, and Technology) to help guide them. Let's break each one down. Facility -- What size hospital are you looking for? Or is...(read more)

Are Our H1N1 Plans Better Now?

Scott E. Leonard — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 17:59:00 GMT

Now that we're finding that H1N1 was not the "catastrophic event" it was penned to be, what have we gained? I would like to hear from my readers about what different actions are now in place that may not have been pre-H1N1. Are there new policies, procedures,...(read more)

Throwing the Starfish Out to Sea

Scott E. Leonard — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 14:32:00 GMT

One morning after a significant storm, a young man walking along a beach noticed an older man bending over and throwing something into the ocean. Over and over, the older man would reach down, pick something up, and throw it into the water. As the young...(read more)

Setting Department Goals

Scott E. Leonard — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 19:46:00 GMT

A new year and resolutions go hand in hand. We all tend to set them for ourselves. However, how about your department? I know most goals and objectives are put together prior to the fiscal year, but that doesn't mean we can't set interdepartmental goals...(read more)

New Technologies for 2010

Scott E. Leonard — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 21:09:00 GMT

As I ponder where we have been and where we are going, I am trying to predict, so to say, what we may expect in 2010. In general much of the "new technology" is geared to help us contain the cost of secondary infections which are not covered by insurance...(read more)

Another Successful Year at AARC

Scott E. Leonard — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 14:26:00 GMT

This year's AARC International Congress at San Antonio was nothing short of a success. From the award ceremony to Dr. Bird's keynote address to all the great speakers, the meeting had something to please everyone. This year, there were many student abstract...(read more)

The Great Gathering

Scott E. Leonard — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 13:12:00 GMT

Yes, it has come that time of year that we as dedicated respiratory therapists gather from all over the globe to learn, teach, and celebrate our great profession. This Saturday marks the start of the 55th International Respiratory Congress in San Antonio....(read more)

It's the Little Things That Count

Scott E. Leonard — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 12:45:00 GMT

We are fast approaching the holiday season, and it is hard to believe it's almost here already. As managers, making the holidays festive for our staff in the workplace should be a common practice. Not everyone enjoys coming to work during the holiday...(read more)

My Experience with H1N1 Vaccine

Scott E. Leonard — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 16:51:00 GMT

Yes, many of you have been wondering about the fears and outcomes of the H1N1 vaccines and what to expect. I can tell you first hand after seeing more than 2,200 H1N1 vaccines given here what to expect. First, the vaccine comes in the live virus nasal...(read more)

Stocking Up for Peak Flu Season

Scott E. Leonard — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 18:43:00 GMT

If there is one thing I learned in my six years as an administrator at a Florida east coast hospital center, it was to stock up on supplies prior to hurricane season. Every year around May, we would load up on disposables. The one thing we created that...(read more)