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Ellen Becker, PhD, RRT, RRT-NPS, RPFT, AE-C, FAARC

Professor
Department of Cardiopulmonary Sciences, Division of Respiratory Care, College of Health Sciences
Education

PhD, Continuing and Vocational Education, University of Wisconsin-Madison                     
MS, Continuing and Vocational Education, University of Wisconsin-Madison
BS, Zoology, University of Wisconsin-Madison
AAS, Respiratory Therapy, Madison College

Contact Info:

600 S. Paulina St.
750 AAC
Chicago, IL 60612
Phone: (312) 563-7451
ellen_becker@rush.edu

LinkedIn Profile
Links:
Biography

Ellen Becker, PhD, RRT, RRT-NPS, RPFT, AE-C, FAARC, is a professor in the Department of Cardiopulmonary Sciences. Her research interests span the education topics of respiratory care professionalism and disease management. Her dissertation addressed the use of distance learning for respiratory therapists interested in pursuing baccalaureate degrees after entry into the respiratory care profession. Her work since then has focused on interdisciplinary education and topics related to respiratory therapists advancing their education. Becker has expanded her research into patient education and addressing the best ways to educate both in community and health care settings. Clinically, she works in the pulmonary function laboratory and facilitates the review of patient education resources. She teaches courses related to pulmonary diseases, cardiopulmonary diagnostics, education and research. Further, she mentors students in the PhD in health sciences program.

Honors and Activities

  • Education Specialty Practitioner of the Year, American Association for Respiratory Care, December 2018

  • National Honorary Member, Lambda Beta Society, October 2017

  • Teaching Excellence Award, Respiratory Care Program, Rush University, May 2014

  • Fellow, American Association for Respiratory Care, November 2012

  • Jonathan Schwarz Respiratory Therapist of the Year Award (New York Downstate Association for Respiratory Care), October 2010

  • Newton Award for Teaching Excellence (LIU-Brooklyn), April 2005

  • Wisconsin Society for Respiratory Care Practitioner of the Year, May 1995

Professional Service:

  • AARC, Parliamentarian, 2018 – present

  • Respiratory Care Journal: Editorial Board, 2016 – 2018; reviewer, 2005 – present

  • Journal of Asthma: reviewer, 2017 – present

  • AARC, Education Section Chair/Board of Directors, 2014 – 2017

  • Chicago Asthma Consortium, Board member, 2014 – 2018, current member

  • Journal of Asthma and Allergy Educators: reviewer, 2011-2013

  • Association of Asthma Educators, Board member, 2012 – 2014, current member

  • Lambda Beta Society, Executive Board, April 2011 – 2015

Publications

Belice PJ, Mosnaim G, Galant S, Kim Y, Shin H, Pires-Barracosa N, Hall J, Malik R, Becker E. The impact of caregiver health literacy on healthcare outcomes for low income minority children with asthma. Journal of Asthma, DOI: 10.1080/02770903.2019.1648507

Peterson SJ, Park J, Zellner HK, Moss OA, Welch A, Sclamberg J, Moran E, Hicks-McGarry S, Becker EA, Foley S. Relationship between respiratory muscle strength, handgrip strength, and muscle mass in hospitalized patients. JPEN 2020;44(5):831-836. 

Joyner RL, Strickland S, Becker EA, Griner E, Keene S, Rye K, Haas CF. Adequacy of the provider workforce for persons with cardiopulmonary disease. CHEST 2020;157(5):1221-1229.

Zellner HK, Moran EM, Becker EA, Moss OA, Peterson SJ, Foley S, Hicks-McGarry S. Differences in muscle strength measures in well-nourished and malnourished hospitalized patients. JAND 2019;119(5): 831-839. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jand.2019.01.004.

Mussa CC, Al-Raimi A, Becker EA. Predicting respiratory therapists’ intentions to use the modified early warning score by using an enhanced technology acceptance model. Respir Care 2019;64(4):416-424.

Becker EA, Vargas J. Communication of career pathways through associate degree program websites: a baseline assessment. Respir Care 2018;63(10):1207-1213.

Sventy E, Myftari K, Becker E. Effectiveness of an interdisciplinary asthma education workshop for a pediatric clinic. Respir Care Ed Annual Fall 2018; 27:33-40.

Becker EA. Making COPD self-management education work [Editorial]. Respir Care 2018;63(7):934-935.

Becker EA, Hoerr CA, Wiles KS, Skees DL, Miller CH, Laher DS. Utilizing respiratory therapists to reduce costs of care. Respir Care 2018, 63(1):102-117.

Becker EA, Schell KS. Understanding, facilitating, and researching interprofessional education [Editorial]. Respir Care 2017;62(7):997-998.

Belice PJ, Becker EA. Effective education parameters for trigger remediation in underserved children with asthma: a systematic review. J Asthma 2017;54(2):186-201.

Alsomali HJ, Vines DL, Stein BD, Becker EA. Evaluating the effectiveness of written dry powder inhaler instructions and health literacy in patients diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Respir Care 2017;62(2):163-171.

Alzahrani YA, Becker EA. Asthma control assessment tools. Respir Care 2016;61(1):106-116.

Becker EA, Nguyen X. The current impact of entry-level associate and baccalaureate degree education on the diversity of respiratory therapists. Respir Care 2014;59(12):1817-1824.

Arroyo J, Becker EA. A needs assessment for the delivery of asthma education to parents of young children. Respiratory Care Education Annual 2014;23:34-44.

Patel AB, Vines DL, Stein BM, Becker EA. Efficacy of dry powder inhaler patient educational handouts to correcting device use in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients and patient ability to generate adequate inspiratory flow rates. Respiratory Care Education Annual 2014; 23:20-30.

Becker EA, Bossard MK. Lung function. JAAE 2013;4(6):327-328.

Becker EA, Schwolsky-Fitch E, Mantle J. Pilot community health worker preparatory course for AE-C exam. JAAE. 2013 June;4(3):124-135.

Jones CS, Becker EA, Catrambone CD, Martin MA. A guideline-based approach to asthma management. Nurs Clin North Am. 2013 Mar;48(1):35-45.

Rahim H, Shah B, Becker EA, Crooks A, Caraballo M, Iacobellis F, Jariwala J. Allied health profession students’ attitudes toward the patient role in treatment decision-making. J Allied Health, Winter 2012;41(4):149-53.

Becker EA, Caraballo MR, Shah BK, Rahim HA. An experiential learning module: changing students’ attitudes towards patient involvement in decision-making. Respiratory Care Educational Annual, Fall 2011;20: 25-34.

Grants

Foley S, Coltman A, Moss, O, Becker EA, Moran E. Maximal Inspiratory and Expiratory Pressure as a Surrogate Measure of Muscle Mass in General Medical and Surgical Patients. (10/1/15 – 10/1/16). Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, Dietician and Nutrition Support Practice Group. $9800.

Becker EA. An Interprofessional Student Model: Respiratory Health Education in the Community. (9/15/14 – 9/15/15). CHEST Foundation. $5086.

Mazany T. Chicago Area Patient Centered Clinical Outcomes Research Network (CAPriCORN) CDRN-1306-04737. (9/1/15 – 3/31/17). Patient Centered Outcomes Research Institute. Roles:

  • Patient Clinician Advisory Committee (PCAC); Consultant
  • Steering committee (funded 8% of salary)

Johnson T, Garman A, Goodman L, Shelledy D, Wideman M. New Models of Care for Healthier Urban Communities. (7/1/13 – 6/30/18). BMO Harris Bank. $5,000,000.  Funded (1/1/14 – 8/31/16) as the College of Health Sciences research fellow mentor.

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