GET TO KNOW YOUR LEADERSHIP
Q&A With Jessica Schweller, CNP, RRT
Respiratory Care Interest Group Steering Committee
April 11, 2025
Where do you work, and what is your current position?
The Ohio State University, Sleep Nurse Practitioner and clinical faculty member for the Master in Respiratory Therapy program.
What are your clinical and/or research interests?
Sleep medicine, positive airway pressure education and troubleshooting, and virtual reality in clinical education.
What led you to join your Interest Group and become a Steering Committee member?
I wanted to increase respiratory therapist (RT) exposure in CHEST and raise awareness of the advanced practice RT. As an advanced practice provider who is also an RT, I feel I bring a unique blend of knowledge to the group. I wanted to get more involved with CHEST professionally.
What have you gained being involved in this Interest Group?
Networking for sure. Getting to meet people and work alongside some of the great clinicians and educators has really taught me so much more and helped to bring me out of my shell.
How has being in an Interest Group benefited your experience as a CHEST member?
Again, networking and meeting new people. Now, I feel like I have a purpose to really spread the message CHEST has to promote.
Who or what has inspired you in your journey in pulmonary, critical care, and sleep medicine?
I became an RT after shadowing an RT at a precollege camp in Dayton. I thought being in a health care specialty was cool and would be great job security. As an RT, I wanted to help patients even further and got my masters in nursing so that I could be more involved in their care. I always wanted to stay in pulmonology, as I loved that patient population; however, a job in sleep medicine was open, and I took it. I never knew how important sleep medicine is and how key my role is in my patients’ health. It’s so rewarding, and, now, I get to teach students every day.
What activities or hobbies do you enjoy that might surprise your colleagues?
I actually like to fly fish. I’m not very good at it, but the locations are breathtaking. As my husband would say, “Fish don’t live in ugly places,” and that’s for sure.
What is something you cannot live without (after family and friends)?
Baseball and softball season. I’m a huge Cleveland Guardians fan and live for the pitchers and catchers report. I also coach my daughter’s 16U travel softball team. I love other sports as well, but it was something my dad and I shared a love for, and my girls share the same passion.
Is there anything else you’d like to share with your Interest Group peers?
I have three daughters (a 15-year-old and 10-year-old twins) who are my heart and soul. I love watching them grow up and hope to encourage them to be strong, successful women. I have had lots of great role models in my life. I have a 5-year-old terrier mix named Bear who is the biggest mama’s boy.
MORE ABOUT RESPIRATORY CARE INTEREST GROUP »