Columbia State Community College recently recognized 13 respiratory care graduates during its annual pinning ceremony.
Students trained to work as respiratory therapists provide assessment, diagnostic evaluation, treatment and care for patients with breathing disorders. Upon completion of the program, graduates become experts in artificial ventilation, resuscitation and airway management.
“The 2014 respiratory care graduates have spent hundreds of hours at various clinical sites throughout Middle Tennessee,” said David Johnson, director and associate professor of the respiratory care program. “They have cared for patients in the ICU at Maury Regional, the intensive care nursery at Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital, trauma intensive care at Vanderbilt and at Southern Tennessee Regional Healthcare, to name a few.”
After earning an Associate of Applied Science degree, respiratory care graduates must complete three national exams in order to obtain the registered respiratory therapist credentials. The national average first-attempt pass rate is 80 percent, and for the past five years, the Columbia State respiratory care program first-attempt pass rate on the first of the three exams is greater than 90 percent.
Columbia State’s respiratory care program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care. All students participate in supervised, hands-on care in a variety of area healthcare settings and receive adult, pediatric and neonatal training.
Pictured above: Row one, left to right: Rachel Curtis (Chapel Hill), Alyson Zumbrum-Furline (Bon Aqua), McKayla DeRidder (Columbia), and Connie Vasquez (Rockvale). Row two, left to right: Donnie Prescott (Spring Hill), Jessica Welsh (Shelbyville), Kris Weber (Lyles), Lisa Boesinger (Thompson Station), and Colleen Gatton (Hendersonville). Row three, left to right: Miranda Paschall (Fairview), Magen Lynch (Pleasantville), Aaron Etienne (Loretto), and Megan Porter (Chapel Hill).
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