Mary Cominek
Summary
Seasoned Respiratory Therapist with extensive experience caring for critically ill infants, children, and adults in both intensive care units and during transport- notably at Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago. Excelled in airway management and ventilator support, demonstrating strong clinical judgment and team collaboration. Proven track record in enhancing patient outcomes through expert application of advanced respiratory techniques and interpersonal communication skills. Ability to function independently in stressful situations while collaborating with others. Compassionate, direct, reliable, and passionate about education and improvement.
Overview
31
31
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Critical Care Transport Respiratory Therapist
Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago
01.2011 - Current
- Provide respiratory management and stabilization to critically ill children during transport in multiple modes including: ground ambulance, rotor wing helicopter, and fixed wing aircraft
- Placement and maintenance of artificial airways including endotracheal tubes, tracheostomy tubes, and LMAs
- Initiation and titration of mechanical ventilation modalities in the transport environment including both invasive and non-invasive devices
- Initiation and management of inhaled nitric oxide
- Administration of respiratory medications to treat childhood illnesses including asthma and croup
- Obtain and analyze ABG samples and adjust respiratory support accordingly
- Ongoing evaluation of patient status and independent application of interventions as appropriate and according to team driven protocols
- Served as RT Education liaison and primary preceptor
- Ongoing maintenance and troubleshooting of equipment utilized within the transport environment
Respiratory Therapist
Northwestern Memorial Hospital
09.1997 - 01.2011
- Advanced Practitioner Cross-Trained RT rotating between: Shirley Ryan Ability Lab, Neurospine ICU, and Prentice NICU
- Provided care to a wide range of patients including: pediatric and adult acute rehabilitation patients, neurologically injured adults in an ICU setting, and critically ill neonates
- Artificial airway management and progression including RT driven tracheostomy weaning and decannulation, ventilator weaning, and family education
- Assisted with phrenic nerve pacing and conditioning in the spinal cord population
- Care of sick neonates including responding to labor and delivery codes
- Assisted with cardiac arrests and intubations
- Initiation and management of mechanical ventilation for children and adults
- Administered oxygen therapy, aerosol therapy and inhalation therapy to improve patients' breathing and lung function.
NICU/PICU Respiratory Therapist
Children's Memorial Hospital
05.1993 - 09.1997
- Cared for critically ill neonatal and pediatric patients
- Assisted with resuscitations
- Initiated and managed various forms of mechanical ventilation including: conventional, NIV, and high frequency oscillatory ventilation
- Administration of Nitric Oxide
- Obtained and interpreted blood gases
- Provided bronchial hygiene therapy to both acute and chronically ill children with various diagnoses including: cystic fibrosis, asthma, croup, and BPD.
- Assisted with neonatal transports from referring hospitals via both ambulance and rotor wing
Education
Bachelor of Science - Professional Development And Advanced Patient Care
Grand Canyon University
Phoenix, AZ01-2019
Associate of Applied Science - Respiratory Care
Triton College
River Grove, IL05-1993
Skills
- Intubation
- Airway Management
- Ventilator management
- Blood gas analysis
- Pediatric Emergency Assessment, Recognition and Stabilization
- Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation
- Strong Clinical Judgment
- Teamwork and Collaboration
- Multitasking Abilities
- Decision-Making
- Caring Bedside Manner
- Equipment maintenance and troubleshooting
Certification
- Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT)
- Neonatal Pediatric Specialist (RRT-NPS)
- Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS)
- Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS)
- Neonatal Resuscitation Provider (NRP)
- Certified Neonatal Pediatric Specialist (C-NPT)
- Pediatric Advanced Transport Provider (PATC)
Timeline
Critical Care Transport Respiratory Therapist
Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago
01.2011 - Current
Respiratory Therapist
Northwestern Memorial Hospital
09.1997 - 01.2011
NICU/PICU Respiratory Therapist
Children's Memorial Hospital
05.1993 - 09.1997
- Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT)
- Neonatal Pediatric Specialist (RRT-NPS)
- Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS)
- Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS)
- Neonatal Resuscitation Provider (NRP)
- Certified Neonatal Pediatric Specialist (C-NPT)
- Pediatric Advanced Transport Provider (PATC)
Bachelor of Science - Professional Development And Advanced Patient Care
Grand Canyon University
Associate of Applied Science - Respiratory Care
Triton College
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