Linz's Comprehensive Respiratory Diseases

Sindee Kalminson Karpel, MPA, RRT, AE-C, has been a respiratory therapist since 1980 and is currently professor of cardiopulmonary sciences and respiratory care and chair of the Bachelor of Science completion program in cardiopulmonary sciences in the School of Health Professions at Florida SouthWestern State College in Fort Myers, Florida. She is the author of several textbook ancillaries, continuing education books, and peer-reviewed articles. Sindee served on the founding Board of Directors of the National Asthma Education Certification Board and on the Board of Directors of the New York State Society for Respiratory Care and is currently on the Board of Directors of the Lambda Beta Society. She is the recipient of the 2003 NYSSRC Samuel Runyon Memorial Award, the 1990 NYSSRC Practitioner of the Year Award, and the 1988 NYSSRC-SEC Award for Excellence in Respiratory Care. Sindee was born and raised in New York City, New York. She received her bachelor of arts degree in anthropology from Queens College of the City University of New York (1974), a 2-year certificate in Respiratory Care from New York University Medical Center-Bellevue Hospital (1980), and a Master of Public Administration degree in healthcare administration from the C.W. Post Campus of Long Island University (1986). Before relocating to Florida, Sindee was associate professor of allied health sciences at the Borough of Manhattan Community College of the City University of New York, where she taught for 10 years. She began her career in respiratory care at Queens Hospital Center in New York, where she was promoted from staff respiratory therapist to day supervisor to assistant director. Sindee also worked as adjunct faculty of the respiratory care program at the Borough of Manhattan Community College from 1982 to 1993. She was also assistant director of respiratory care at Long Island Jewish Medical Center before becoming a full-time educator. Sindee is a Certified Asthma Educator, certificate number 13. She has spent numerous hours volunteering with the American Lung Association of Florida and New York City, the Southwest Florida COPD Community Team, the Asthma and Allergy Network, and at local asthma and COPD events. She is a passionate educator and has mentored numerous respiratory therapists over the past 38 years.