Debra Laken
Date Appointed: 8/5/14
Position held/appointed for: Board Member
Education: The University of Alabama; Birmingham, Alabama
Master of Arts in Education, 1995
The University of Alabama; Birmingham, Alabama
Bachelor of Science Allied Health Administration, 1987
The University of Alabama; Birmingham, Alabama
Certificate, Respiratory Therapy, 1985
Work Experience:
2004-Present Associate Professor, The University of Alabama at Birmingham,
Respiratory Therapy, School of Health Professions, Birmingham, Alabama
August 2012-Present Subject Matter Expert, Elsevier Publishers (Mosby
Skills)
December 2010-Present Legal Consultant
Dec. 2006-Present NIOSH Practicum Instructor, The University of
Alabama at Birmingham, Deep South Center for
Occupational Health and Safety, Birmingham, Alabama
Dec. 2012-Present NIOSH Course Instructor, The University of
Alabama at Birmingham, Deep South Center for
Occupational Health and Safety, Birmingham, Alabama
November 2001-Present Clinical Research Consultant, The University of
Alabama at Birmingham, Pulmonary Research Center, Lung Health Center,
Birmingham, Alabama
May 1997-Present Basic Cardiac Life Support Instructor, The University of
Alabama at Birmingham, Respiratory Therapy, School of Health Professions,
Birmingham, Alabama
June 2006-2008 Subject Matter Expert, Trinity Healthforce Learning,
Carrollton, Texas
Community Involvement:
American Lung Association, Camp WheezeAway, Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, and
American Heart Association
Accomplishments/Achievements:
Received the CDC Award for Professionalism (1999)
Awarded the 2008 Faculty/Staff of Character Award as part of the UAB Student
Excellence Awards
Awarded the 2009 School of Health Professions Teaching Excellence Award
Nominated for the « Best of the 2011 Respiratory Care » by RT Magazine
Served as a judge in ADVANCE Magazine’s first annual Faces of the Future
National Student Writing Contest (2011 and 2013)
Served as Central District Representative for the Alabama Society for
Respiratory Care for three terms
Served as Treasurer of the Alabama Society for Respiratory Care
Served as Secretary of the Alabama Society for Respiratory Care
Other Memberships held:
Active member of the American Association for Respiratory Care (AARC)
Active member of the Alabama Society for Respiratory Care (ASRC)
Alpha Eta Society
Association of Asthma Educators (AAE)
Alabama Asthma Coalition
Family/Personal Interests:
I have been married to my husband Tom for 20 years. We enjoy traveling and
spending time with our family.
Personal Philosophy:
“Listening, not imitation, may be the sincerest form of flattery”