West Chester University: Respiratory Care Program Earns Prestigious Award For Excellence

Press release from West Chester University:

February 17, 2021

In conjunction with Bryn Mawr Hospital, WCU offers a bachelor of science degree in
Respiratory Care. Students train to become Respiratory Care professionals through
the unique partnership of an institution of higher learning and a well-respected teaching
hospital.

Respiratory Care professionals, who work to evaluate, treat, educate, and care for
patients with breathing disorders, have become particularly crucial in the care and
treatment of Covid patients. As Covid primarily affects the lungs, Respiratory Therapists
provide vital critical care to these patients through ventilator management and with
helping to maintain adequate oxygenation and ventilation. In addition to the vital
part they play in the Covid pandemic, Respiratory Therapists also work with infants
as young as 23 weeks old who suffer from incomplete lung development as well as adults
who have been diagnosed with chronic obstructive lung disease (COPD) such as emphysema
or pulmonary fibrosis.

In her award letter, Shawna Strickland, associate executive director of AARC, said,
“This Respiratory Care Program has demonstrated best practices in educating our future
practitioners and promotes patient safety by providing access to respiratory therapists
to deliver their care. It is outstanding work like this that inspired the AARC Board
of Directors to develop this award.”

“I am grateful to be surrounded by such talented faculty who are dedicated to providing
a superior educational experience to our students,” said Brian Kellar, Respiratory
Care Program Director.

“Although all program faculty played a significant role in the process, it is worthy of acknowledging
Professor Alexa Moran ’16 for her untiring efforts in orchestrating the process and ultimately submitting
the application and Dr. [David S.] Prince for assisting us with meeting requirements,
while also caring for his Covid patients in the ICU.”

As many current Respiratory Therapists are approaching retirement age, there will
be a noticeable decrease in the number of Respiratory Therapists in the profession
while the demand, as a result of Covid and many other factors, continues to increase.
The time is ideal for individuals interested in working in healthcare to enter a profession
that inevitably results in an extremely rewarding career.

The Apex Recognition Award recognizes facilities for their commitment to excellence
in professional development, evidence-based care, patient safety, patient satisfaction,
and quality improvement in five categories: acute care hospitals, long-term care facilities,
home medical equipment (HME) companies, educational programs, and dedicated transport
teams. The full list of Apex recipients can be found on the AARC website.

can be found on the AARC website

This press release was produced by West Chester University. The views expressed here are the author’s own.