Respiratory Care Program earns national credentialing award

Youngstown State University’s Respiratory Care Program is among a select group nationally to receive the 2019 Distinguished Registered Respiratory Therapist Credentialing Success Award.

The honor from the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care will be presented at the American Association of Respiratory Care’s Summer Forum in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., in July.

“From a program effectiveness perspective, CoARC views this credential as a measure of a program’s success in inspiring its graduates to achieve their highest educational and professional aspirations,” CoARC President Allen Gustin Jr. said in a letter to Kelly Colwell, director of the YSU Respiratory Care program.

“CoARC extends its sincere congratulations to you, your faculty, students and graduates for meeting these rigorous standards.”

It is the second consecutive year that the YSU program has received the honor.

Respiratory therapy is a health profession that focuses on the diagnostic evaluation, treatment and management of patients with cardiopulmonary disorders. AARC is the leading national and international professional association for respiratory care. CoARC accredits degree-granting programs in respiratory care across the nation.

YSU’s Respiratory Care program offers both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Respiratory Care. The program, part of the Department of Health Professors at YSU, also offers a certificate in Polysomnography. The master’s degree is also offered online, while the bachelor’s degree is offered online as a completion program for individuals who have already completed an associate degree program.