Kettering College Celebrates Respiratory Care Week 2024
October 24, 2024 —The American Association for Respiratory Care (AARC) celebrates National Respiratory Care Week October 20-26. The AARC says, “This annual observance is not merely a week of celebration; it’s a testament to the unity, dedication, and profound impact that respiratory therapists have on patient care and healthcare as a whole. Through shared values, patient advocacy, and community engagement, respiratory therapists pave the way for a healthier future, leaving an indelible mark on the hearts and lives of those they touch.”
Kettering College is proud to have a thriving Respiratory Care program that has received the lucrative President’s Award for Excellence every year since the award was created. Our 3-year track to earn a Bachelor of Science in Respiratory Care prepares students for a lucrative career as a registered respiratory therapist. Respiratory therapists (RTs) work alongside physicians and nurses to administer medical care to a wide range of patients with various breathing issues. RTs can do things such as give patients oxygen, manage ventilators, and administer drugs to the lungs.
In the 2023-2024 academic year, 100% of Kettering College’s Respiratory Care students passed the board exam on their first attempt and found employment immediately after graduation.
It is a career field that continues to grow, and our graduates have the security of knowing fulfilling jobs are waiting for them. The Bureau of Labor Statistics states the employment of RTs is projected to grow 13 percent by 2032, much faster than the average for all occupations. About 8,600 openings for respiratory therapists are projected each year, on average, over the decade.
Celebrating Some of Kettering College’s Respiratory Care Students
LaShe Maxwell (left) is a senior Respiratory Care student at Kettering College. She says she chose respiratory care as a major because she’s always enjoyed helping others and has always been interested in working in healthcare.
She says, “I like respiratory therapy because we are a vital part of the healthcare team and are present at both the beginning and end of life. Respiratory therapy also allows us to see a variety of different patients and utilize a diverse set of skills. I hope to help people improve their quality of life with proper education and management of chronic lung illnesses and also help them to improve during critical acute situations.”
Kendall Downs (right) is also a senior in Kettering College’s Respiratory Care program. Several years ago, a respiratory therapist came to her fifth-grade class and told the class about that career, and Kendall has been interested ever since.
Her reasons for ultimately deciding to study Respiratory Care come from her personal experiences. She says, “I have asthma, which sparked my interest in respiratory care. Another reason was my grandma was a respiratory therapist, and, while she is no longer with us, I feel close to her just by making this career choice.”
Both students look forward to graduating this academic year and putting their skills, knowledge, and empathy to work as they begin their careers as respiratory therapists. We thank them and all of our Respiratory Care students and faculty for the sacred work they do every day to improve the quality of patients’ lives.
Are you interested in learning more about Kettering College’s Respiratory Care program? Request more information here.
About Kettering College
Kettering College is a fully accredited, faith-based healthcare college in a suburb of Dayton, Ohio, offering career-focused medical degrees through traditional and accelerated programs. A division of Kettering Health, Kettering College is located on the Kettering Health Main Campus and is chartered by the Seventh-day Adventist Church.