About

Past President of the AARC.

Dr. Aaron Light is a healthcare educator and leader with extensive experience in respiratory therapy, higher education, and professional leadership. He currently serves as the Dean of Health Sciences at Ozarks Technical Community College, where he has held a variety of roles since 2003, including Program Director for Respiratory Therapy and Director of Clinical Education. He has held positions within the American Association for Respiratory Care (AARC), including Secretary/Treasurer and Director at Large on the AARC Board of Directors, and has contributed to the development of educational content, research initiatives, and policy advocacy. Dr. Light’s commitment to advancing both the practice and education of respiratory care is further reflected in his ongoing professional involvement and certifications, including his status as a Fellow of the American Association for Respiratory Care.

Caitlin has been a respiratory therapist and AARC member for 10 years. She is currently the manager of patient safety for Integris Health Baptist Medical Center in Oklahoma City. Caitlin has worked as a leader in her organization for 5 years, including leading the respiratory department during the height of the pandemic. She has served in volunteer leadership roles within the state of Oklahoma since 2015 with the Oklahoma Society for Respiratory Care, and is currently serving on the AARC Board of Directors in her second term as a Director at Large.

Cheryl Hoerr is an accomplished respiratory therapist, experienced director, educator, speaker and author with the goal of elevating and inspiring respiratory therapists and promoting their professional practice. In addition to her position as Director of Respiratory & Sleep Services for Phelps Health in Rolla Missouri, she is actively involved with both the AARC and the Missouri Society for Respiratory Care. Her years in the respiratory field have offered her the opportunity to explore a number of specialty areas including critical care, diagnostics, pulmonary rehab, research, and education. Cheryl’s experience has given her a depth of insight into the quality metrics that respiratory therapists can use to streamline and improve quality of work processes.

Jodi has been a Respiratory Therapist for more than 35 years, spending much of her career in leadership roles. She currently practices Respiratory Therapy at Ascension SE Wisconsin–St. Joseph Hospital in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Throughout her career, Jodi has held various leadership roles within the Wisconsin Society for Respiratory Care, including District Representative, Delegate-Elect, and Delegate. At the national level, she served as Secretary of the AARC House of Delegates, Director-at-Large on the AARC Board of Directors, and as a Trustee of the American Respiratory Care Foundation. Through these roles, Jodi has been a strong advocate for support of respiratory research, professional education, and mentorship of future respiratory care leaders, with a continued commitment to advancing quality patient care and the long-term strength of the profession.

Glenn is a healthcare leader with more than 25 years in respiratory care, clinical operations, and staff development. During his career, he has served in several volunteer leadership roles with the Alabama Society for Respiratory Care and is currently appointed to the Alabama State Board of Respiratory Therapy. Glenn’s contributions to the AARC include committee member appointments and service in the House of Delegates. He currently serves as a Director-at-Large on the AARC Board of Directors.

Amy Boeckmann is a distinguished leader in respiratory care education, credentialing, and professional advocacy. An accomplished clinician, educator, and national voice for the profession, her career spans clinical practice, higher education, credentialing innovation, and extensive professional service. With advanced training in public administration and respiratory therapy, she has built a reputation for elevating educational standards, strengthening the respiratory care workforce, and shaping the future of national credentialing. A defining aspect of Amy’s professional impact is her extensive leadership with the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC). Beginning as a consultant in 2011, she quickly became a trusted contributor to national credentialing standards. She joined the NBRC Board of Trustees in 2018, was elected to the Executive Committee in 2019, and went on to serve as Secretary, President-Elect, and ultimately President of the NBRC Board of Trustees in both 2023 and 2024. Amy has chaired major national committees—including the Therapist Multiple Choice Exam Committee and the Respiratory Therapy Examination Job Analysis—and has been instrumental in shaping the upcoming single credentialing examination set to launch in 2027. Her work has directly influenced the rigor, relevance, and future direction of respiratory care credentialing in the United States. Her professional service extends across key organizations, including the American Association for Respiratory Care, the American Respiratory Care Foundation, the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care, and the Iowa Society for Respiratory Care, where she served multiple terms as President, Secretary, and Past President. She has also supported lung health advocacy as a board member for the American Lung Association–Iowa. As Program Director for the Respiratory Therapy Program at Des Moines Area Community College, Amy has led program growth, faculty development, student success initiatives, and statewide engagement. Her previous academic leadership roles at Hawkeye Community College and her clinical leadership at the VA of Central Iowa further demonstrate her versatility across educational and healthcare environments. A sought-after speaker and presenter, Amy has delivered national and regional presentations on credentialing updates, workforce development, student recruitment, faculty advancement, and respiratory therapy education. She has presented at AARC Congress, AARC Summer Forum, CHEST, ATS, ASA, and numerous state-level conferences, consistently contributing to the advancement of the profession through education and thought leadership. Her achievements have been recognized through prestigious honors, including: • AARC Fellow (FAARC), 2023 • President’s Award, Iowa Society for Respiratory Care (2018, 2025) • Outstanding Alumni Award, DMACC Alumni Association (2019) • DMACC Alumni Early Achievement Award (2013) • STEM Gem Award, Iowa STEM Council (2013), for advancing simulation in respiratory therapy education Beyond her professional commitments, Amy is an active community volunteer, supporting youth programs, school initiatives, and public health events such as the American Lung Association’s Fight for Air Climb and the American Heart Association Heart Walk. Across all roles, Amy is recognized for her leadership, innovation in respiratory therapy education, dedication to professional standards, and unwavering commitment to advancing the respiratory care profession at local, state, and national levels—most notably through her transformative contributions to NBRC credentialing and the future of the profession.

Mike is currently the President of Pulmo Solutions, LLC and has been an AARC member for over 35 years. He has been a volunteer for the North Carolina Society for Respiratory Care, AARC Program Committee, AARC Clinical Practice Guidelines Steering Committee, and Respiratory Care Editorial Board.

Chris is the Director of Clinical Affairs for Fisher & Paykel Healthcare based in Irvive, CA and has been an AARC member for over 20 years.