The Maritime Chapter of the Canadian Society of
Inhalational Therapy Technicians (CSITT) was
founded March 27, 1965, through a meeting held
at the Victoria General Hospital in Halifax, but
was redefined as the Nova Scotia Division in
1967. From 1965 to 1969, the field continued to
grow. Awards were established, symposiums held
and new divisions created. The first class from
the Victoria General Hospital School of
Inhalation Therapy graduated in 1966, and the
1st Annual General Meeting of the Nova Scotia
Division of the CSITT occurred on February 16th,
1968.
The national society underwent its first
major name change in 1970 when, on October 22,
members at a special general meeting voted to
change the society's name to "The Canadian
Society of Respiratory Technologists (CSRT)."
The most recent change came in 1982 when the
national society became "The Canadian Society of
Respiratory Therapists."
In 1979, The Nova Scotia division of the
CSITT submitted a Memorandum of Association to
the province and became "The Respiratory
Technology Society of Nova Scotia."
Subsequently, in 1982, the name of the Society
was changed to "The Respiratory Therapy Society
of Nova Scotia (NSCRT)." And, finally, in 1997
the last name change to date occurred, as it
changed from the Respiratory Therapy to
Respiratory Therapists Society of Nova Scotia.
In the past few years, the NSCRT has
continued to support its members through open
communication and educational funding. The
topics of licensure and a shared baccalaureate
program with Dalhousie University are still
being discussed. Since 1981 the NSCRT has had
its own crest designed by Mr. B. Smith, and
celebrated "25 years of Reparatory Therapy in
Nova Scotia" in 1989. Today interest in this
field continues to grow, as does society
membership. The 1997-98 membership was 176,
consisting of 157 Registered Members, 12 Student
Members, 4 Corporate members and 3 Honorary
Members.
Many thanks should be forwarded to all those
who have made the Respiratory Therapists Society
of Nova Scotia what it is today. A special
thanks to Mr. Rodney Conrad for the time and
effort put into the research and formulation of
"A History of the Respiratory Therapy Society of
Nova Scotia." Please scroll down to see a more
detailed year by year chronology of the History
of the Respiratory Therapists Society of Nova
Scotia.
The history of the NSCRT must be preceded by
a chronological history of the formation of the
National Society, originally known as the
Canadian Society of Inhalation Therapy
Technicians (CSITT).
1964
- The CSITT had five Chapters operating in
Montreal, Toronto, Ottawa, Edmonton and
Vancouver. Three more were organizing in
Halifax, Winnipeg and Calgary.
- The first Registry Examination was held
on Saturday, November 28. Fifty-nine members
were accepted by the CMA/CAS accreditation
sub-committee to sit the examination,
fifty-four were successful.
- December 21: The Secretary of
State issued Letters Patent to the CSITT
- January: The CMA/CAS Committee,
at their meeting in Toronto formed a
committee to investigate a proper procedure
for setting up Schools of Inhalation Therapy
across Canada.
- In 1964, Inhalation Therapy services
were initiated at Saint John General
Hospital and the Moncton Hospital, and a
service and training school at the Victoria
General Hospital in Halifax. At this time
approximately eighteen hospitals throughout
the Maritimes had shown an interest in
Inhalation Therapy.
1965
1966
- The Victoria General Hospital School of
Inhalation Therapy graduated its first class
and accepted ten additional students for
training under the two year program from
hospitals in Newfoundland, Sydney, New
Glasgow and Halifax.
- During this period the number of
hospitals requiring immediate Inhalation
Therapy staff had risen to twenty-two and an
additional fifteen hospitals showed a
definite interest.
1967
In 1967, Inhalation Therapy was well on its
way. Requests for information, lectures, etc.
from hospitals, paramedical groups, schools, and
other facilities was overwhelming. This year
found that for every position open in the
training school, there were at least four
applicants and six hospitals competing for the
graduate.
- The first Public Relations Committee was
established.
- December 2: The Maritime Chapter
became the Nova Scotia Division with the
Head Office in Halifax.
- February 3rd and 4th: The First
Symposium on Inhalation Therapy sponsored by
the Maritime Chapter was held at the Dresden
Arms Hotel in Halifax. The registration for
this event far exceeded the projections of
the Planning Committee and the Hotel had to
provide more space than originally
requested.
1968
- February 16th: The 1st Annual
General Meeting of the Nova Scotia Division
of the CSITT was held. The following
executive were elected:
Divisional Director: Mr. R.
Conrad
Assistant Divisional Director:
Mr. J. Conrad
Secretary: Mr. C. Lyon
Treasurer: Mr. R. Beckwith
- Second Annual Symposium on Inhalation
Therapy was held, new By-Laws were adopted
for the Division, the "Maritime Chapter"
members from New Brunswick voted to join the
Nova Scotia Division and the Nova Scotia
Division set up a Home Therapy Program under
the jurisdiction of the CSITT
1969
In 1969, the Division established an award
for the "Most Outstanding Student" at the
Victoria General School.
1970
- October: The highlight of the
year, was the Division's hosting of the 1970
CSITT Annual Forum in Halifax in October.
The guest lecturer was Dr. Donald F. Egan,
Yale University School of Medicine. A Profit
of $433.00 was made.
- October 22: At a Special General
Meeting of the CSITT held at the Hotel Nova
Scotian, the membership of the Society voted
in favour of changing the name of "The
Canadian Society of Inhalation Therapy
Technicians" to "The Canadian Society of
Respiratory Technologists (CSRT)."
1972-74
Membership of the Division stood at
twenty-nine: 23 Registered Members; 5 Associate
Members; 1 Student Member.
1975
- September: The Division hosted
the CSRT Annual Forum and meeting in Halifax
at the Nova Scotian Hotel. The theme of the
Educational Forum was "Triple Therapy" with
each day devoted to a different aspect,
namely: Physiology, Paediatrics, and
Critical Care. The keynote lecturers were:
Dr. E.W. Ahlgren, Medical director, Bird
Corporation; and Dr. T.J. DeKornfeld,
University of Michigan Medical Centre, Ann
Harbour, Michigan.
- Wednesday, September 3: Birth of
the "Sputum Cup" Competition held at the
Royal Nova Scotian Yacht Squadron's Spar
Shed as part of Exhibitor's Night. The
original trophy was a sputum collection cup
mounted on a wooden base. Profits for the
Forum amounted to over $4000.00.
- March: At the 9th Annual General
Meeting of the Division, a motion was passed
regarding the number of meetings held on a
yearly basis. The motion stated that one
Annual General meeting and one General
Meeting be held yearly. The main reason for
this was that the geographics prevented the
membership from travelling so many times per
year, plus the hospital's restraint program
making funding difficult.
- The Divisional Membership stood at 31
Registered members, 3 Student members and 3
Inactive members.
1977
During 1977 proposals for Licensure for
Respiratory Technologists in Nova Scotia were
submitted to the Provincial Government's
Committee.
1978/79
In 1978, the membership roll stood at
forty-two. The establishment of an Education
Fund for Divisional members jointly sponsored by
the Nova Scotia Lung Association and the
Division. This fund has been maintained up to
the present and many members have had the good
fortune to attend various forums and seminars as
a result.
1980
- May 10: 1st Annual Meeting of the
Respiratory Technology Society of Nova
Scotia (NSCRT) was held at the Holiday Inn
in Halifax. The Respiratory Technology
Society of Nova Scotia was officially
registered with the Province of Nova Scotia.
The following Executive were elected:
President: Mr. J. Conrad
Vice-President: Mr. J.G.
Perkins
Treasurer: Mrs. T. Cashen
Secretary: Mr. A. Strang
Director-at-Large: Mr. R.
Conrad
- NSCRT again hosted the CSRT Forum (15th
Annual). The guest lecturer was Dr. L.
Cudkowicz, Chairman and Professor,
Department of Medicine, Director of Clinical
Sciences, King Faisal University, Damman,
Saudi Arabia. The Annual Forum made a profit
of $7,788.00.
1981
The official crest of the NSCRT was designed
by Mr. B. Smith and accepted by the membership.
1984
- The executive of the NSCRT was directed
by the membership to examine the
ramifications of changing the name of
"Respiratory Technology" to "Respiratory
Therapy". The "Respiratory Technology
Society of Nova Scotia" changed its name to
the Respiratory Therapy Society of Nova
Scotia" in 1984, in keeping with the
national society.
- 20th anniversary of the Victoria
General Hospital School of Respiratory
Technology. A Dinner and Dance was held
at the Holiday Inn in Halifax. A plaque was
presented by the NSCRT to the School listing
the members of all Classes to graduate from
the School since 1964.
1985
At the 6th Annual General Meeting, membership
stood at thirty-three members; twenty-four
Active, three Associate, three Special Credit
and three Graduate. The highlight of 1985 was
again the hosting of the CSRT Annual Forum. The
guest lecturers were Dr. George G. Burton,
Kettering, Ohio, and Dr. Ulf Borg, Baltimore,
Maryland. The General Chairman was Mr. D. Cashen.
1986
A sharp increase in membership occurred in
1986. In fact, the NSCRT had eighty-six members.
It was decided that the NSCRT would enter into
the joint collection of dues with the CSRT
starting in 1987. Also in 1986 a committee was
formed to formulate a proposal to be presented
to the Dean of Dalhousie's Allied Health
Schools. The proposal dealt with the possibility
of establishing a general degree program in
Respiratory Therapy.
1987
In 1987, the founding meeting of the
Administrative Respiratory Therapists Society of
Nova Scotia took place.
1988
The 9th Annual General Meeting was held in
Halifax. The membership stood at seventy-three:
sixty-six Active, four Inactive and three
Students.
1989
- The Silver Anniversary of Respiratory
Therapy was a success, both socially and
financially. A major financial contribution
was made to the School of Respiratory
Therapy on behalf of all of its students.
- The History of The Respiratory Therapy
Society of Nova Scotia was developed by Mr.
Rodney Conrad and circulated to all
Respiratory Therapy Departments in nova
Scotia.
1990
- Ad Hoc committees were, once again,
replaced with standing committees as a
result of "revitalized interest" on the part
of the membership. Committees were formed
for Education, Public Relations, Membership,
N.S. Lung Association Liaison, Events and
the N.S. Council on Smoking and Health.
1991
- Membership for the Society was at 109.
- Gil Vergilio, C.S.R.T. President,
attended the A.G.M.. The discussion
addressed strategic planning and other
issues that were before the national
organization.
- A revision of the Society's Memorandum
of Association was begun.
- A letter was sent to the Minister of
Health regarding the wish of the R.T.S.N.S.
to participate in the setting of Respiratory
Home Care standards.
- It was decided that the dues for 1992
would be raised to $25.00.
1992
- The Ian Collins Memorial Lecturer was
given by Dr. D. Morrison. The topic was
Sleep Apnea.
- It was the opinion of the Executive that
the pursuit of traditional licensure from
the province would be too expensive based on
functional models of other provinces.
Alternate means would be pursued.
- Since no response was received from the
Department of Health regarding the setting
of Respiratory Home Care standards, the
R.T.S.N.S. decided to enter into a joint
project with the A.R.T.S.N.S. to develop
such standards.
- It was decided that the R.T.S.N.S. would
not renew its membership to the N.S. Council
on Smoking and Health.
- The administrative duties of the
Education Fund were given solely to the
R.T.S.N.S.
1993
- Membership in the Society stood at 123
out of a possible 189 nationally registered
Respiratory Therapists.
- The new R.T.S.N.S. Newsletter was well
received.
- Ms. T. Mosher was appointed to a
committee on Home Care as a Respiratory
Therapy Consultant in response to a letter
sent to the Minister of Health with regards
to the nursing home oxygen program.
- Attempts were made to open the Atlantic
Respirology Conference to Respiratory
Therapists.
- A committee was created with the mandate
to track changes in legislation that would
affect the profession and may be involved in
investigating licensure and protection of
title. G. Hatton, J. Deveau, and B. Connick
agreed to take part in this committee.
1994
- The membership of the Society for 1994
stood at 124 members with 10 student
members.
- The President attended a meeting with
other Allied Health professions regarding a
possible degree program in Health Sciences.
- Ms. T . Mosher resigned as the
Respiratory Therapy Consultant to the
Department of Health. She was replaced by
Mr. G. MacAulay.
- The Minister of Health recognized and
proclaimed Respiratory Therapy week in Nova
Scotia.
- Members of the R.T.S.N.S. were able to
register for the Atlantic Respirology
Conference without restriction.
- The 1994 CSRT Education Forum made a
profit of $13,848.62
1995
- Membership in the Society stood at 134:
Registered - 121; Graduate Students - 13.
- Suggestion made that the Society's name
should be changed from "Respiratory Therapy"
to "Respiratory Therapists". Approved in
principle.
- The Dalhousie University and Allied
Health Collaboration Program had hired a
coordinator and she (Ms. Marilyn
Harris-Hart) attended the Society's General
Meeting to discuss the proposal and listen
to the concerns of the members. The
R.T.S.N.S. contributed $2,500.00 towards the
development of this program.
- Ms. M. Swaffer began to conduct a survey
to "document graduate Respiratory
Therapists' attitude towards continuing
professional education" and to identify the
current scope of practice throughout the
region. The results were made available to
the Society.
The Society sponsored an Educational Session
on October 27th & 28th at the Veteran's Memorial
Hospital in Halifax. During the first part of
the weekend there were presentations and
discussions on licensure, community care, the
changing face of Health Care in Nova Scotia and
continuous quality improvement. The second half
of the Educational Session dealt with Strategic
Planning. A consultant was hired and he led the
participants through a process to help us
determine:
1.) The Mission Statement of the
Society.
The mission of the Respiratory Therapists
Society of Nova Scotia is to promote
excellence and leadership in the practice of
Cardio-respiratory care.
2.) The Role of the Society
The R.T.S.N.S. supports its membership in
the following ways:
a.) Developing and maintaining
standards of practice in Respiratory
Therapy.
b.) Providing and promoting leadership
of Respiratory Therapists within the
hospitals and within the community.
c.) Providing funds for appropriate
educational opportunities.
d.) Communication through annual
meetings and newsletters.
e.) Participating in the creation and
maintenance of educational programs.
f.) Encouraging the government to
recognize and expand the role
Respiratory Therapists play in the
development of health care.
3.) The Vision of the Society
a.) Lobbying the government with
regards to licensure and home care.
b.) Overcome the apathy amongst the
members, increase the number and extent
of involvement.
c.) Education; the degree program and
the implications for non-degree members;
input on the switch.
d.) Enhance communication amongst the
membership.
e.) Develop tools for the promotion and
support of the profession.
This session was very well attended and
important to the direction of the Society at
that point in time.
1996
- Membership stood at 159: Registered -
128; Student - 26; Corporate - 5.
- The Second Phase of the Dalhousie
University and Allied Health Collaboration
Program began. This phase consisted of
curriculum development.
- It was decided by the membership that
the Education Fund would only be used for
local events and the CSRT National
Conference.
- A Fundraising Committee was established.
- Ms. W. Conrad was appointed to act as a
Liaison between the N.S. Lung Association
and the R.T.S.N.S. with regards to a
proposed Home Oxygen Program formulated by
the N.S.L.A. Mr. Mike MacDonald of the
N.S.L.A. presented an overview of the
program to the membership at the General
Meeting of the Society.
- The NSCRT Newsletter was named - AIRWAYS
- through a contest.
- The Society began to recruit members to
act as Area Representatives of the Society.
- A Public Relations package was sent to
the Ministry of Health and the Regional
Health Boards to outline Respiratory Therapy
and role possibilities for respiratory
therapists that are currently underutilized.
- Mr. P. Richardson replaced Mr. G.
Wheatley as the Society's representative on
the Dalhousie University and Allied Health
Collaboration Program committee.
- The idea of creating a President-Elect
position on The Executive Committee was
raised.
- The R.T.S.N.S. raised over $1500.00 for
the Heart and Stroke Foundation during "The
Big Bike Ride."
- The Junior Students were welcomed with a
Meet & Greet at Ryan Duffy's Speak Easy in
Halifax.
1997
- The membership of the Society stood at
176; Registered - 157; Student - 12;
Corporate - 4; Honorary - 3.
- The Society raised $350.85 for the
I.W.K.-Grace Telethon.
- The Society forwarded $5000.00 to help
finance the Second Phase of the Dalhousie
University and Allied Health Collaboration
Program. The Second phase was subsequently
completed.
- Bob Beckwith, Edward Cormier and George
Wheatley were elected to Honorary Membership
in the Society. Bylaw changes were made to
accommodate the nomination and election of
Honorary Members.
- A Toll-Free line was purchased to help
increase the accessibility of the Executive
Committee to the membership and to notify
them of upcoming events.
- The Terms of Reference for the Executive
Committee were revised.
- The 1st Annual Educational Forum of the
R.T.S.N.S. was held in May at the Veteran's
Memorial Building in Halifax. It was a
tremendous success. Many thanks to the
Co-Chairs of the Education Committee: Barb
MacDonald and Deanna McCarron and Registrar and Board Members : Wendy Conrad, Tanya Frail, Carol
Abbott, Paul Brousseau, Darrah Kennie,
Shannon McDonald, Craig Bethune and Tracey
Grinham. The contribution of the Class of
'97 was also invaluable.
- Due to the lack of funds in the
Education Fund and the Lung Association's
lack of donations over the past four years,
the membership decided that the Education
Committee would administer the fund and set
an annual budget for the same.
- The President-Elect position was
approved and the first President-Elect would
be elected in 1998.
- The name change of the Society was
officially accepted by the Registry of Joint
Stock Companies and the name of the Society
became "The Respiratory Therapists Society
of Nova Scotia.
- It was accepted that Membership cards
would no longer be distributed to the
membership due to the expense and the lack
of use of the same.
- A new laptop computer was purchased by
the Society.
- A Respiratory Therapy Information Board
was developed by Mrs. L. Lawson for use by
the membership.
- The R.T.S.N.S. developed a webpage for
the Internet.
1998
On May 9th, 1998, the 19th Annual General
Meeting of the Respiratory Therapists Society of
Nova Scotia was held.
At this meeting the following Executive were
elected:
President:: Mr. M. Aquilina
Vice-President:: Mr. J. G. Perkins
President-Elect:Mr. P. Richardson
Secretary: Ms. T. Skory
Treasurer: Mrs. C. Abbott
Directors-at-Large:Mrs. B.
MacDonald, Ms. S. MacDonald, Mrs. P.
Winfield
- The first President-Elect was elected at
the Annual General Meeting. Mr P. Richardson
accepted the position.
- The Bylaws of the Society were
completely reviewed and revised.
- Mrs. C. Abbott resigned as Treasurer of
the Society and was replaced by Mr. D.
Veniott.
- The 2nd Annual Educational Forum of the
R.T.S.N.S. was held in October at the
Veteran's Memorial Building in Halifax. Many
thanks to the Co-Chairs of the Education
Committee: Shannon McDonald and Wendy Conrad
and Registrar and Board Members : Tanya Frail, Everett
Rose, Noel Pendergast, Carol Abbott, Darrah
Kennie and Tammy Young. The contribution of
the Class of '98 was also invaluable.
- An information package detailing the
role of the respiratory therapist with
emphasis on the therapeutic functions
performed daily was developed by Mr. J. G.
Perkins. This package is available to any
interested party.
- The toll-free line has been disconnected
due to lack of use.
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