Meet Doctor Jon

Dr. Jon Nilsestuen is a retired Professor & Department Chair, Professor Emeritus, from the University of TX Medical Branch, (UTMB) Galveston, TX. His educational background includes a degree in Mathematics from Franklin & Marshall College in Lancaster Penna; an Advanced Certificate in Respiratory Care from the University of Chicago Hospitals and Clinics, and a Ph.D. in Pulmonary Physiology from the Medical College of Wisconsin. In the fall of 2014, he retired from UTMB after 30 years as the Chairman and Program Director of Baccalaureate Respiratory Care Education program. Two years later he returned to work as the Director of Research and Education for Respiratory Quality Services (RQS). The Company's focus is on providing support services and education to patients with Neuro-Muscular disorders- predominantly ALS. These patients need Non-Invasive Ventilation/ Sleep Support/ and Cough Assist devices to keep them out of the hospital and improve their quality of life.

 

Dr. Nilsestuen has had a number of different scholarship interests related to his teaching career including developing a video disc for teaching concepts related to lung collapse and atelectasis and developing an online tracking system to document student completion of clinical experiences and competencies. Since the early 90's his major research focus has been with the use of ventilator graphics to improve Patient-Ventilator Synchrony- meaning how best to adjust the ventilator to breathe with the patient to reduce work of breathing, improve gas exchange and reduce ventilator dependence. At RQS, this interest has led to the development of graphics analysis approach to customizing the settings on the Cough Assists Device (CAD) for improving lung clearance.

Recently he has presented his cough assist work at a number of conferences including the International Conference on ALS and Motor Neuron Disease. In the area of ongoing interest, he has implemented a pressure titration strategy to prevent upper airway collapse in bulbar patients when using the Cough Assist device.

This is one of the many reasons that Respiratory Quality Services is a leading provider of specialty care.