Our clinical operations team is the forefront of our business. They lead and manage a team of over 40 Sleep Experts and 40 supporting staff. Our staff support is the highest in the industry, maximizing your one on one time with your therapist and providing the greatest potential for a positive outcome.
Our founder and 1988 NAIT graduate, has over 26 years experience treating Sleep Disorders including 12 years in the ICU and NICU services including asthma education, COPD education and diagnostic care. An expert in lung health, he looks after his own set by running, biking and skiing. We’ve tried to catch up with him, but just when we think the trail has ended, he surprises us with a quick rappel to the next adventure or business opportunity.
Adrienne has completed her Bachelor of Health Science and Registered Respiratory Therapy designation, both were attained at Thompson Rivers University. She started in our Vernon branch, went on to manage the Thompson Okanagan Region and is currently the Director of Operations. Her work includes a focus on tobacco cessation and COPD management, time spent in hospital ICUs & CSICUs, and helping patients with many forms of Sleep Disordered Breathing and Respiratory Disorders. She enjoys helping patients find supportive therapies and working with the wonderful staff at Independent Respiratory Services. Adrienne loves visiting our branches throughout the province and seeing our amazing team at work. She also holds a Red Seal in Culinary Arts and loves skiing, fly fishing, and anything outdoors.
With us since the Vernon branch was on four wheels and the warehouse was her trunk. She is a Thompson Rivers University graduate and reinforced her entrepreneurial spirit with the completion of an Executive Business Administration program at Notre Dame University. In addition to her education, her clinical experience includes over eighteen years in homecare with IRS and a variety of hospital experience including Acute Care, OR and Sleep Labs. Whether she is assisting clients or training new team members she always leads with respect and compassion.
Starting on the front lines with IRS at our Prince George branch as a Clinical Services Coordinator she knows our administrative functions inside out, outside in and upside down. Leading the change train, she knows where we’ve been and has the vision to see where we’re going. She has completed her Project Management Certification and is responsible for streamlining administrative process, procedures, and continuous improvement projects. We think she has a Doctorate in Time Management as well as she has exceptional communication with everyone around her whether the issue is big or small.
Born with Asthma, frequent hospital visits and a childhood of Ninja Turtles and nebulizers, Andrew was meant to be a Respiratory Therapist. Asthma camp was his gateway into the world of Respiratory Therapy and just as well, ended up graduating from Thompson Rivers University. Andrew has worked in multiple branches across British Columbia since he started with IRS in 2011. He enjoys the many outdoor opportunities that the Lower Mainland provides, as well as playing his two favourite indoor sports, hockey and tabletop games.
Michelle is not only a Thomson Rivers University Graduate; she has a diverse professional background, bringing a wealth of information and experience with her. In addition to 8 years of homecare she’s worked at the BC Children’s Hospital in both the Special Care Nursery as well as the Intensive Care Unit. At the Vernon Jubilee Hospital she experienced the Acute Care and Operating Room calibrating anesthetic carts and was with the Provincial Respiratory Program for one year. Her entrepreneurial spirit shone through as she started her own company teaching CPR while becoming a mom. She has lived in both Mexico and Massachusetts and loves to travel and explore.
Ruel was born and grew up in Manila, Philippines. From there he earned his Bachelors of Science major in Medical Technology, which he practiced briefly for 2 years before he decided to do further study and earned his Certificate of Cardiovascular Perfusionist at the Philippine Heart Centre for Asia. He then worked as Perfusionist for the Heart Foundation of the Philippines, travelling all around the country with the surgical team performing cardiac surgical operation. Year 2000 is when he got the opportunity to work abroad and bringing his family with him, his wife and daughter, they settled in Dublin, Ireland. Ruel, worked for Mater Misericordiae Hospital and Mater Private Hospital, while earning his Certification for the Cardiovascular Perfusion. He was then granted certificate by The College of Clinical Perfusion Scientist of Great Britain and Ireland, and at the same with The European Board of Cardiovascular Perfusion. Ruel and his family, now with a son who was born in Dublin, left Ireland after 7 years and chose to migrate to Kitimat, BC, Canada in the early Spring of 2007 and had since called it home since then. He joined Independent Respiratory Services in May of 2011, working in our Terrace Branch until he got promoted to Regional Manager in the Winter of 2017. Home is West Kootenay now and will be for the foreseeable future!
On a westward journey from the Bay of Fundy, Nova Scotia, Dan has made frequent stops across our country, gaining experience, awards and family members. He has enjoyed a diverse career in respiratory homecare including both public and private sectors. He earned his certification from the Victoria General Hospital School of Respiratory Therapy in Halifax and upon completing his registry exams, he was awarded the Trudell Award, based on his high academic achievement and commitment to clinical excellence. After landing in Regina, he and his family fell in love with BC through photos so they headed west to Penticton where Dan joined us at IRS. He enjoys spending time with his family exploring the landscapes of the East Kootenays, making pizza and reading sea stories and history in his spare time.