Each year the Committee on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC) honors a small  percentage of Respiratory Care programs for their graduates’ success in obtaining the highest credential in the field, while meeting or exceeding thresholds for student success and job placement. The Respiratory Care program at SPC has been selected to receive this award for … Continue reading SPC Respiratory Care program receives second consecutive Distinguished RRT Credentialing Success Award →

The St. Petersburg College (SPC) Respiratory Care program, like many programs at SPC, has an active and involved student club.  Several months ago the students in this club elected to pursue a membership charter into the Lambda Beta Society, which is the national honor society for the profession of Respiratory Care. The program has just … Continue reading Respiratory Care Student Club accepted into the profession’s National Honor Society →

I realize this won’t do much for my macho image, I must confess I’ve always been a softy for pinning ceremonies.  One of the most rewarding parts of working with the same small group of students for 2 years is being able to graduate, or “pin” them into the profession.  There’s always something so special … Continue reading Respiratory Care Pinning Ceremony →

It was with great sadness that I read that James Whitacre, MA, RRT passed away recently at the age of 93. Whitacre was one of the first members of the American Association of Respiratory Care (AARC), and served on the Board of Directors of the AARC in the 1950s and 1960s.    He was also … Continue reading Respiratory Care pioneer passes away →

It’s been said that common sense isn’t so common anymore.  I was pleased to see the following article on common sense steps to avoid colds and the flu.  http://www.intelihealth.com/news/fda-shares-advice-to-avoid-colds-and-flu?level=0 I think many of us know the basics…wash your hands frequently and avoid contact with infected persons.  But many of us may not realize the role … Continue reading Common Sense advice to avoid colds and flu →

It is amazing how far we’ve come with the science of mechanical ventilation. I recently read an article about a 67 year old man who has spent almost all his life in an iron lung.  We have an Emerson iron lung in the library here at SPC, and every time I look at it I … Continue reading We’ve come a long way →