On Thursday, March 12, The American College of Chest Physicians (CHEST) and the National Association for Medical Direction of Respiratory Care (NAMDRC) announced publicly our official intent to come together as one association, integrating all NAMDRC activities and operations into CHEST.
Dr. Stephanie M. Levine
This integration launch followed months of discussion between CHEST and NAMDRC leadership. Our respective Boards agreed that united efforts will amplify our individual involvement in patient advocacy and policy.
Dr. James P. Lamberti
CHEST and NAMDRC have an intertwined purpose of delivering the highest standard of care for our patients. For this reason, our likeminded advocacy agendas can be even better fulfilled when we can leverage strengths from both associations.
CHEST and NAMDRC have shared an overlapping membership and collaborative history of empowering patients through the advancement of public policy and clinical education for decades. In additional to our individual efforts, our associations historically leveraged a combined advocacy presence in Washington D.C. to advance legislation against major tobacco corporations.
Coming together as a joint advocacy-focused organization, the initiation of CHEST’s Health Policy and Advocacy Committee, which will be comprised of an equal selection of CHEST and NAMDRC leadership, will drive CHEST’s advocacy agenda. The committee will work directly with policymakers, and target legislative and regulatory issues impacting pulmonary, critical care, and sleep medicine.
A committee of this kind, dedicated strictly to advocacy efforts, will be absolutely invaluable to our united organization. This group will be a true asset for membership to turn, to voice concerns within our practice, and to direct action on policies that matter to our patients.
Members of both organizations were notified of the integration by email on Wednesday, March 11. Along with email notification, NAMDRC members also received a voting ballot, as the dissolution of a nonprofit organization for Virginia-based organizations requires a vote of approval by membership within a 25-day waiting period.
NAMDRC’s long regarded monthly publication, Washington Watchline, will continue through CHEST, as will the NAMDRC Annual Meeting, slated for next March 18-20, 2021 in Sonoma, California, in conjunction with the CHEST Spring Leadership Meeting.
Concentrating our efforts under one organization allows us offer the best possible opportunities to our membership, patients, and far-reaching network. This is an exciting time for everyone involved, and we are looking forward to seeing all we can accomplish together.