Thomas J. Kallstrom MBA, RRT, FAARC, AARC

Thomas J. Kallstrom, MBA, RRT, FAARC, has been named Executive Director and CEO of the American Association for Respiratory Care, upon the retirement of Sam Giordano, who held that position for over 30 years.

AARC President Karen Stewart, in making the announcement said, “This is absolutely the right choice for us. We are pleased that Tom has accepted the position.” She indicated that the search committee was impressed with Kallstrom’s patient-centric philosophies. “We were looking for someone from the profession, a respiratory therapist, to lead the organization. His vision is very consistent with where we have been going as an association.”

Kallstrom, who has been a respiratory therapist for over 30 years, has spent the last six as the AARC’s Chief Operating Officer. Prior to that, he held staff and management positions with Rainbow Babies and Children’s Hospital in Cleveland, OH and later at the Cleveland Clinic system. He began his career in Minnesota at University of Minnesota Hospitals.