Kellie Demetris | SmartVest Airway Clearance System

Kellie Demetris has spent the past 12 years as a Registered Respiratory Therapist, guiding patients and their caregivers through some of their most challenging moments.

She launched her career after graduating from STLCC Forest Park in 2013, building her expertise across a range of respiratory needs and becoming a dependable source of clarity and support.

Kellie approaches each patient with steady focus and practical problem-solving, ensuring people understand their care and feel heard throughout the process.

When she’s off the clock, she gravitates toward the outdoors with her family. Whether that means camping, hiking, trail riding, or just tossing a ball around, soaking up the time and space that help her recharge.

Posts by Kellie Demetris

Illustration of man experiencing a coughing fit.

April 28, 2025 | Airway Clearance

Coughing Fits: Causes and How to Find Relief

Coughing fits can be disruptive, uncomfortable, and sometimes downright embarrassing. But did you know that they may also indicate an underlying health condition? Whether you’re dealing with a cough that won’t go away or coughing to the point of gagging, it’s worth exploring the underlying cause. Let’s look at the link between coughing fits and […]

April 9, 2025 | Bronchiectasis Resources

Alcohol and Bronchiectasis: What You Need to Know

Alcohol and Bronchiectasis: Is There a Risk? Whether it’s a glass of wine, a pint of beer, or a tumbler of your favorite whiskey, drinking alcohol is often a staple at social gatherings and something most people enjoy doing to help relax. Many of us are aware of the health concerns surrounding excessive alcohol use, […]

A doctor points to the SmartVest site on their laptop

September 18, 2018 | Airway Clearance

Common Misconceptions About HFCWO Therapy

High frequency chest wall oscillation (HFCWO) therapy is an effective approach to managing bronchiectasis and other chronic pulmonary conditions, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and cystic fibrosis. As annual bronchiectasis incidence (i.e. the number of patients newly diagnosed with bronchiectasis) increases, common misconceptions surrounding its treatment may prevent patients from choosing the most […]

Male arm reaching for tissue to help clear mucus.

November 24, 2025 | Airway Clearance

Phlegm vs. Mucus: Why the Difference Matters

If you’ve ever dealt with a phlegm cough, you’ve experienced firsthand how your body uses mucus to protect and clear your airways. Mucus and phlegm are natural substances our bodies produce to help maintain and lubricate the respiratory system. But are they the same thing? Mucus and phlegm may sound interchangeable, but they play slightly […]

A man relaxes with a newspaper during his SmartVest therapy

February 6, 2019 | Airway Clearance, COPD Resources

Treating Your COPD Symptoms with HFCWO Therapy

Most of us are familiar with the acronym COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease). Used as an umbrella term to describe progressive lung diseases including emphysema, chronic bronchitis, and refractory asthma, COPD can occur from smoking, certain environmental factors, or an individual’s genetic makeup.1 Common symptoms of COPD include shortness of breath, wheezing, tightness in your […]

January 9, 2025 | Airway Clearance

Airway Clearance Devices: Understanding Their Benefits and Uses

Living with bronchiectasis or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) can significantly impact daily life. Chronic lung conditions often involve excess mucus buildup in the lungs, which can lead to difficulty breathing, frequent infections, and reduced lung function. These symptoms can compound, leading to a cycle that can be hard to break. Though your clinician may […]

A woman connects her SmartVest generator to her vest

March 22, 2022 | Airway Clearance

Benefits of Airway Clearance Devices & Techniques

New to airway clearance? Living with a chronic lung condition, like bronchiectasis (brong-kee-EK-tuh-sis), makes breathing feel constricted. Though your clinician may prescribe different types of treatment to help you manage your symptoms—such as antibiotics or mucus-thinning medications1—airway clearance works to help treat the underlying cause of your chronic symptoms (i.e., mucus buildup). When mucus builds […]

A stethoscope rests on a table near a laptop

March 28, 2019 | Bronchiectasis Resources

Managing Your Chronic Lung Condition with Bronchiectasis Treatment

Because every patient with bronchiectasis is different, the symptoms experienced from a chronic lung condition can vary widely. For clinicians, this presents the challenge of choosing a bronchiectasis treatment that is most effective in allowing patients to live a healthier, fuller life—without the physical and financial stress of ongoing hospitalization and emergency room visits. Though […]

Respiratory Care Week graphic, Oct 19-25, 2025

October 20, 2025 | Airway Clearance, Bronchiectasis Resources

Respiratory Care Week 2025

Respiratory Care Week is an annual event that recognizes the essential work and dedication of respiratory care professionals around the globe, from clinicians and pulmonologists to nurses, respiratory therapists (RTs), and home caregivers. This year, respiratory care week runs from October 19th through the 25th, 2025. Coinciding with this event is Healthy Lung Month, which, […]

Positive doctor talking to elderly patient at office workplace, speaking, smiling with hands gestures, meeting with old lady at table with laptop, giving medical help.

September 18, 2025 | Airway Clearance

Vest Therapy vs. DPP1 Inhibitors: What to Know

Patients and providers are increasingly exploring treatment options for managing chronic respiratory conditions like bronchiectasis and cystic fibrosis. Two of these approaches: vest therapy (also known as high-frequency chest wall oscillation, or HFCWO) and DPP1 inhibitors (dipeptidyl peptidase 1 inhibitors) offer different ways to support airway health and interrupt the compounding of symptoms, otherwise known […]

Woman wearing SmartVest in a living room

August 13, 2025 | Bronchiectasis Resources

How HFCWO Addresses the Vicious Vortex of Bronchiectasis

Bronchiectasis is a chronic lung condition that affects many people around the world, though it’s often underdiagnosed or misunderstood. The “vortex” of bronchiectasis is a term used to describe the cycle that makes this condition more difficult to manage. The three main parts of the vortex include infection, inflammation, and lung damage. These three parts […]

July 31, 2025 | Bronchiectasis Resources

Best Sleeping Positions for Bronchiectasis

Living with bronchiectasis means finding ways to support your lungs around the clock, including how you sleep. Nighttime can often bring increased coughing, shortness of breath, or mucus buildup, which is why your sleeping position matters more than you might think. The right posture can make a big difference to your comfort and respiratory health. […]

June 11, 2025 | Bronchiectasis Resources

Stop the Vicious Vortex Through Multiple Points: Why You Need Comprehensive Treatment

Living with a chronic respiratory condition isn’t just about managing symptoms. It’s about breaking free from a cycle that can sometimes spiral out of control. This downward health trajectory is sometimes called the “vicious vortex”: a dangerous cycle of inflammation, mucus buildup, infection, and airway damage that feeds into itself over time. To stop this […]

Two people outside showing the relationship between COPD and cold weather.

December 19, 2025 | COPD Resources

COPD and Cold Weather Tips: Protect Your Lungs this Winter

As temperatures drop and air conditions become drier, managing chronic lung conditions can become more challenging. Cold weather can make symptoms worse, cause chest pain, or make breathing even more difficult, especially if you’re living with a chronic lung condition, such as COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease). However, with a few proactive measures, you can […]