|
|
SJRCC Press Release
April 2009
SJRCC graduates first respiratory care class
St. Johns River Community College announces the graduation of its first respiratory care class. The two-year degree program was added in 2007 on the St. Augustine campus after Flagler Hospital and local professionals declared a regional shortage of respiratory therapists.
Flagler Hospital's cardiopulmonary services director Judi Marcinell said the success of the program will help alleviate the challenge of hiring the much-needed therapists. "I think the result of this collaboration will fill the huge need for excellent staff," Marcinell said. "Not just at Flagler Hospital, but at many area hospitals."
SJRCC program director Tom Baxter said the graduates will not only help meet the needs of an ever-changing medical community, but "will set the benchmark for the future graduates of the program." Baxter, announced that all 10 members of the class recently passed the Written Registry Secured Assessment Exam - the first required step toward the national board exams.
Graduates from St. Johns County are Kathy Boucher, Haley Ellenburg, Stephan Fernandez, Gretchen Gilliam, Kathryn Mulloney, Swinita Reddy and Holly Tecson. Graduates from Clay County are Stacey Gibson, Kelly Taylor and David Wilkerson.
The graduates completed the basic general education course work, core lecture courses, and hands-on lab work and clinical work conducted in hospitals and clinics throughout Northeast Florida and will be eligible to apply to take the National Certification exams for Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRT) and Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) - both administered by the National Board of Respiratory Care.
The need for respiratory therapists was assessed nearly four years ago at Flagler Hospital, as well as facilities in Duval, Putnam and Flagler counties. Flagler Hospital agreed to provide classroom space and a clinical training lab at the Life Institute – an educational and integral component of Flagler Hospital – while lectures were added to the St. Augustine campus.
The respiratory care program prepares students to work in areas such as pediatric care, nursing homes and in hospitals. Asthma, bronchitis, emphysema, lung cancer and pneumonia are some of the conditions that require the care of a respiratory therapist.
The respiratory care program will accept applications for the spring 2010 class from May 1 through August 1. Respiratory care is a limited access program, and admission requirements and prerequisites apply. For more information about the respiratory care program call 904-808-7460 or visit the College's Web site at www.sjrcc.edu.
SJRCC offers additional health care programs such as nursing, nursing assistant, health information management, office administration Ð medical office and radiologic technology. For more information on degree and certificate programs in the health care field, call (386) 312-4062.
PHOTO CAPTION:
First row L to R: Stacey Gibson, Holly Tecson and Swinita Reddy.
Second row: SJRCC Director of Clinical Education Holly Coulliette, Kathryn Mulloney, Kathy Boucher, Haley Ellenburg, Gretchen Gilliam and SJRCC Program Director of
Respiratory Care Tom Baxter.
Third row: Kelly Taylor, Stephan Fernandez and David Wilkerson.
Return to SJRCC home page.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Susan Kessler
SJRCC Director of Public Relations and Publications
5001 St. Johns Avenue
Palatka, FL 32177
(386) 312-4020
|
|
