Board Member Biography


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”