Four Area Hospitals Contribute to SCC's Respiratory Therapy Program

SYLVA - Students in Southwestern Community College's respiratory therapy program are breathing a little easier thanks to donations made by four local hospitals.

WestCare Health System, Mission St. Joseph's Health Systems, Haywood Regional Medical Center and Pardee Memorial Hospital donated $2,000 each toward the purchase of a TYCO Puritan Bennett 840 Ventilator for the College's respiratory therapy program.

"We are extremely grateful for these generous monetary donations," said Paul Rice, SCC's respiratory therapy clinical coordinator. "After coming up short on funding for the project, we decided to ask local hospitals for assistance. Their response was not only positive but also expeditious. Checks started coming in two weeks after the request was made. Their acts of generosity certainly expressed that that our local hospitals are behind us and the students we are educating."

"We want to do everything in our power to support healthcare workers in our region," said David Rice, president of Haywood Regional Medical Center. "If that means we need to offer resources to educational programs, we can certainly do that, and we're happy to do it."

Puritan Bennett 840 ventilators are commonly used in local area hospitals. By training students on the ventilator, graduates of SCC's respiratory therapy program will have a seamless transition into the local workforce.

"SCC has been incredibly responsive in meeting the workforce needs for the healthcare field," said Mark Leonard, president and CEO of WestCare Health System. "This donation will only enhance an already state-of-the-art program."

According to Sharon Hatfield, SCC's respiratory therapy program coordinator, graduates of SCC's respiratory therapy program have had a 100% job placement rate, with some students being placed in jobs before graduation. This success, she believes is partly attributed to the sophisticated lab equipment the program offers.

"Our Board felt it was important for [SCC] students to have access to a PB 840 so they have the necessary qualifications most hospitals expect from new hires for the respiratory therapy services," said Bruce Thorsen, president and CEO of Mission St. Joseph's Hospital.

"We were pleased to be able to help provide this important piece of equipment for Southwestern Community College," said Bob Goodwin, president and CEO of Pardee Memorial Hospital. "Pardee is always happy to work with other community partners on collaborative efforts such as this, especially when we know we are helping educate future medical professionals."

Respiratory therapists perform diagnostic and therapeutic procedures to aid in the breathing process. The need for respiratory care professionals is expected to grow in the coming years due to the large increase in the elderly population; the impact of environmental problems that have already contributed to the yearly rise in number of reported asthma cases; and technological advances in the treatment of heart attack, cancer, and accident victims, as well as premature babies.

For additional information on SCC's respiratory therapy program, contact Gary Dillard, SCC's respiratory therapy program coordinator at 586-4091 or (800) 447-4091, Ext. 472.

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