(COLUMBIA, Tenn. - Aug. 24, 2018) - - - For the third consecutive year, Columbia State Community College's respiratory care program has received the Distinguished Registered Respiratory Therapist Credentialing Success Award.

Awards are presented by the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care at the annual American Association for Respiratory Care Summer Forum.

"It is humbling to receive this award for three consecutive years," said R. David Johnson, program director and associate professor of respiratory care at Columbia State. "This could not happen without faculty giving the students a strong general education background. Roger Major, director of clinical education and associate professor, and the adjunct clinical instructors ensure students have the needed abilities to care for patients in the neonatal to adult intensive care areas as well as long-term care and home care."

"Being able to provide students with the needed skills to be gainfully employed and to help others is such a reward," Johnson said. "Recently I received an email from 2018 graduate, Breanna Tankersley, that said 'I absolutely love what I do and I'm thankful that Columbia State was the school I went to.'"

The award recognizes the small group of respiratory care programs that meet the following criteria: (1) have three or more years of outcomes data; (2) hold accreditation without a progress report; (3) document first-attempt RRT credentialing success rates of 90% or above; and (4) meet or exceed established CoARC thresholds for certified respiratory therapist credentialing success, attrition and positive in-field placement of graduates.

According to the 2017 CoARC outcomes data report, Columbia State graduates' three-year average RRT credentialing rate is 92 percent compared to a national three-year average of 75 percent. Columbia State graduates' three year average in-field employment rate is 96 percent compared to a national three-year in-field placement rate of 85 percent.

Only 112 of the 451 respiratory care programs in the country were awarded. Out of the nine programs in Tennessee, only two received this recognition.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average job outlook for all occupations in the nation will increase by 7 percent between 2016-2026. The job outlook for respiratory therapists will increase by 23 percent.

"Columbia State's respiratory care program produces outstanding graduates who are ready to enter the workforce and serve patients," said Dr. Kae Fleming, Columbia State dean of the Health Sciences Division and professor of radiologic technology. "Feedback from graduates and employers confirms the quality of the learning taking place."

At the last re-accreditation visit, Columbia State's respiratory care program was granted full re-accreditation by the CoARC with zero deficiencies.

For more information about the respiratory care program, contact R. David Johnson, program director and associate professor of respiratory care at Columbia State at 931.540.2663 or online at www.ColumbiaState.edu/Respiratory-Care

Photo Caption: (Pictured, left to right): Roger Major, clinical director and associate professor of respiratory care; Aimee Luna, adjunct clinical instructor of respiratory care; Tim Polly, adjunct clinical instructor of respiratory care; R. David Johnson, program director and associate professor of respiratory care; and Brandon Hallmark, adjunct clinical instructor of respiratory care. (Not pictured) Erick McKnight, adjunct clinical instructor of respiratory care.