Lee Guion Respiratory Therapist sLee is a Neurorespiratory Clinical Specialist at the Forbes Norris MDA/ALS Research and Treatment Center in San Francisco. As a member of the multidisciplinary care team she provides patient assessment, lung function testing, and treatment recommendations to people with ALS and other motor neuron diseases. Lee also sees patients with post polio syndrome, obstructive sleep apnea, and a range of muscular dystrophies. She is known for her clinical assessment skills, creative approaches to treatment, and patient-centered care. She conducts original research on noninvasive breathing assistance in ALS and consults on other clinical research projects at the center. 

Lee is Director of the Respiratory Therapy Equipment Loan Program at the Norris Center. This program provides breathing, coughing and secretion management equipment and disposable supplies to Norris Center clinic patients who do not have medical insurance coverage or cannot meet insurance deductibles or share of cost. Equipment is provided as a bridge for those in the process of enrolling in federal and state health insurance programs.

Lee gratefully welcomes your financial support of the Equipment Loan Program. Your fully tax deductible contributions can be sent to: 

The Forbes Norris Center

2324 Sacramento Street, Suite111

San Francisco, CA 94115

Please make your check out to: Forbes Norris Center/RT Equipment Loan Program

Recent Publications 

  • Respiratory Management of ALS (2010). Jones and Bartlett, publishers. This textbook, designed for Respiratory Therapy students, is written in a style that is accessible to the general public. It is also appropriate for, and utilized by, practicing physicians new to ALS, respiratory therapists, and nurses working with neuromuscular diseases patients.
  • “Effects of Noninvasive Ventilation on Sleep Outcomes in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis”. Katzberg HD, Selegiman A, Guion L, et al. 2010. Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine, Volume 9, No.4, 2013.
  • Regular contributor to AARC Times “Coming of Age” column.

 

Recent Awards 

  • Honorary Fellow of the American Association for Respiratory Care (2012)
  • Skyline College Faculty/Preceptor of the Year (2008, 2011)

Professional Organizations

  • California Society for Respiratory Care
  • American Association for Respiratory Care

Educator and Lecturer

  • Speaks locally, nationally, and internationally on the respiratory management of motor neuron diseases, end-of-life decision making, and consensus building when gaps in medical evidence lead to disagreement on treatment options.
  • Chair, Skyline College Respiratory Therapy Program Community Advisory Committee. In this role assists students, faculty, and administrators with curriculum development, program re-accreditation, hiring of new faculty, and facilitates quarterly meetings.
  • Clinical Preceptor/Clinical Specialist in the Department of Neurology/California Pacific Medical Center, San Francisco, CA. Mentors Respiratory Therapy students during structured clinical rotations and shares her expertise with visiting physicians, medical students, and neurology fellows from Stanford University.

Education and License

  • BA Sociology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
  • BS Respiratory Therapy, Durham County Community College
  • MA Gerontology, San Francisco State University
  • California Respiratory Care Practitioner License # 1397

Upcoming lectures

American Association for Respiratory Care, 59th International Respiratory Convention and Exhibition, November 16 – 19, 2013, Anaheim, CA

  • To Sleep…Perchance to Dream: Atypical Sleep-Disordered Breathing in ALS
  • Adding Insult to Injury – Dementia and ALS