On April 18^th, 2019, seven Respiratory Care were honored during a pinning ceremony held at Southern Regional Technical College (SRTC) in Thomasville. Joined by students’ families, friends, and Respiratory Care departmental managers representing the affiliate hospitals, the Respiratory Care program faculty at SRTC hosted the annual pinning ceremony in honor of the senior students in the class of 2019. These students completed two semesters of prerequisite coursework as well as four semesters of rigorous occupational coursework including a series of clinical rotations at local hospitals.

“The program faculty and administration is incredibly proud of this class. As their instructor, I have the utmost confidence in each individual that they will be successful members of the Respiratory Care profession, and will represent our College appropriately as they continue to grow in their respective careers,” commented SRTC Respiratory Care Program Director Tammy Miller, M.Ed., RRT, CPFT.

Students recognized were: Luke Stanfield of Thomasville, Cydney Whigham of Cairo, Taylor Clark of Cairo, and Cynthia Rowe of Valdosta, Christian Brettel of Baconton, Macey Kesler of Cairo, and Sharhonda Williams of Thomasville. Luke Stanfield received the academic award for achieving the highest overall Grade Point Average. Sharhonda Williams was the recipient of the Ambassador’s Award, selected by her classmates, as the student who best represents the program and profession in the community of interest. Macey Kesler was selected by the program faculty and her classmates as the recipient of the Award for Professionalism, based on outstanding demonstration of work ethics combined with academic excellence.

Upon successful completion of programmatic Self- Assessment Examinations (SAE), these students will be eligible to sit for National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC) credentialing exams to obtain the Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) credential.

Registered Respiratory Therapists are specialized in the care of patients of all ages with cardiopulmonary disorders. Graduates of the Associate of Applied Science degree in Respiratory Care, who obtain the RRT credential are also eligible to sit for additional specialty credentialing exams including Neonatal Pediatric Specialist, Critical Care Specialist, Pulmonary Function Technologist, Sleep Disorder Specialist, and Certified Asthma Educator. According to statistics provided in the U.S. Department of Labor Occupational Outlook Handbook, the demand for respiratory therapists continues to increase, parallel to increases in pre-term birth rates and growing numbers of patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), heart disease, asthma, and sleep disordered breathing.