Respiratory Therapy Division

WINTER QUARTER, 2002                             Volume 2, No. 2                                    01/04/02

DIVISION GETS VEST SYSTEM Through an educational grant and the efforts of Sarah Varekojis, Advanced Respiratory, Inc. awarded the Respiratory Therapy Division a new high frequency Vest Airway Clearance System valued at almost $20,000. Part of the grant included that Sarah attend a seminar in Las Vegas in December on airway clearance therapy. We expect to receive The Vest System in mid-January and are looking forward to utilizing it in class and lab, and maybe even in some senior projects. OSUMC OFFERS "TRANSITIONS" SYMPOSIUM "Transitions in Healthcare: From Student to Professional" will be offered for senior respiratory therapy students by OSU Medical Center on Wednesday, March 6, 2002.  This will be a FREE all-day conference to assist seniors as they make the transition to healthcare professional and plan for their careers. Brochures and more information will be available later in January.  2001 AARC INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS Several alumni and faculty participated in AARC 2001 Open Forum at the AARC International Congress in San Antonio in December, 2001.  With Stephanie Fenske ('01) and Joe Yokum ('01) as co-authors, Phil Hoberty ('73) presented "Frequency and Importance of ACLS Skills in Adult Respiratory Care."  With Lisa Bueltel ('93) and Herb Douce as co-authors, Jaime Dewar ('01) presented "An Assessment of a Respiratory Therapist Asthma Program."   With nine studies being reported, Tim Myers (`89) tied again for the most research productivity being presented at the meeting.   CONGRATULATIONS TO... Cindy McCoy Wright ('85) who carried the 2002 Olympic torch through central Ohio on January 2.

RT DEMAND CONTINUES Demand for respiratory therapists is stronger than ever. The U. S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that "employment of respiratory therapists is expected to increase much faster than the average for all occupations through the year 2008." And hiring bonuses and scholarships continue. Locally OSUMC is offering new graduates $3000 for their one year commitment, Children's and Specialty Select Hospital are offering $2500.  Johns Hopkins is offering $3500 sign-on and 2-year full tuition scholarships. MESSAGE FOR WINTER QUARTER SENIORS For seniors, we are offering 2 RT courses in series. RT 525, "Teaching in the Respiratory Therapy Profession" will be followed by RT 520, "Administrative Issues in Respiratory Care." The education course provides seniors with the opportunity to explore teaching roles of therapists, to learn some educational methods,  to teach CPR and certify allied medical students in Allied Medicine 200. The administration course considers the major current issues, challenges, and opportunities for respiratory therapists and will help build a foundation for future leadership. MESSAGE FOR WINTER QUARTER JUNIORS Winter quarter is always exciting for juniors, and this year they start their clinical experiences under a newly designed Winter Quarter. Having Pharmacy 480 on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday mornings will make Tuesdays and Thursdays all-day clinical days and move RT 420 to Spring Quarter.  Students will have their initial experience in basic therapeutics at OSUMC.  They will also complete their experience in cardiopulmonary diagnostics at OSUMC and at Riverside Methodist Hospital.  Clinical experiences start January 8!