The Lakeland Community College Respiratory Therapy program has received the Distinguished Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) Credentialing Success Award for the fifth year in a row from the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC). The CoARC board uses objective criteria based on key accreditation metrics to select programs for the Distinguished RRT Credentialing Success Award.

CoARC accredits degree-granting programs in respiratory care throughout the country that have undergone a rigorous process of voluntary peer review and have met or exceeded the minimum accreditation standards as set by the professional association. The RRT credential must be submitted as part of the application for licensure to work as a respiratory therapist in the state of Ohio.

In 2022, Lakeland’s program was one of only 23 programs nationwide that were honored with CoARC’s President’s Award for Credentialing Success, the highest achievable award given by the commission.

Lakeland’s department is led by David Goswick, MPA, BS, RRT, director and associate professor of respiratory therapy.

“Our faculty works very hard to maintain an excellent program and provide the best education to our students,” said David Goswick. “Our graduates go on to work in important roles in Northeast Ohio, and it’s our honor to get them ready for the professional world.”

ABOUT LAKELAND’S RESPIRATORY THERAPY PROGRAM
Respiratory therapy students learn to help people of all ages – from newborns to elderly – who have heart and lung diseases. The program leads to an Associate of Applied Science degree and is completed in just five semesters; students are then eligible to sit for the national registered respiratory therapist exam. Lakeland's respiratory therapy program accepts a new cohort of students each fall. For more information, contact David Goswick, RRT, associate professor of respiratory therapy, at dgoswick1@lakelandcc.edu or 440.525.7181.

Students may opt for dual enrollment with Ursuline College. With this, courses are taken concurrently with both Lakeland and Ursuline programs, saving students time and thousands of dollars tuition toward a Bachelor of Science in respiratory care (BSRC). Beginning fall 2023, Ursuline’s BSRC will be available through Lakeland’s Holden University Center – creating a seamless transition from an associate degree to a bachelor’s – the industry standard by 2030. For more information about dual enrollment, students should contact an academic counselor.

By: Adam Continenza, Mrktg and Commun Specialist