Jackie Lugo

Michelle Williams

Elizabeth Wilson

John Hill

Roland Romano

• Bob DeLorme’s most recent graduating class receives kudos for achieving a 100% pass rate on the RRT exams in this article in the Atlanta, GA, Journal-Constitution. “Our typical student comes to us because they care for people and want to help people,” Bob was quoted as saying. Bob recognizes the role his fellow faculty members (Dr. Larry Arnson, Nadya Khoja, Kiley Hodge, and Megha Patel) have played in the process, and students LaTonia Allen and Nazif Ahmad are quoted as well.

• Jackie Lugo is furthering her education thanks to grants she’s received from her hospital foundation and she explains what it means to her in this article on the CBS-TV website out of Florida. This story in the Fort Myers Florida Weekly shares some of Jackie’s plans for the future–as well as how she put her medical skills to work saving her own father last March.

• Randall Podsim and Albert Hernandez recently took part in a health fair sponsored by their hospital and the event was covered in this article in the American-Statesman out of Austin, TX. Randall performed lung function tests while Albert visited with people about sleep disorders.

• RT students Michelle Williams and Elizabeth Wilson explain how a speaker at a Utah Society for Respiratory Care event spurred them to go the extra mile for COPD patients in this article in the Standard-Examiner. “During his presentation, he said, ‘You know, it would be cool for someone to start a COPD support group.’ Those words resonated with Elizabeth and me for months,” Michelle was quoted as saying.

• Tabatha Dragonberry went from a career in film and video production to respiratory care following the 9-11 terror attacks, and she explains why in this article on the Illinois Central College alumni website. “In this profession, I have been part of people’s best days . . . and unfortunately with others I have had to see the worst days of their lives,” she was quoted as saying. “Regardless of the outcome, there are expressions of thanks and appreciation from patients, parents and families, which is what makes me come back to work every day and has created my passion for my profession.”

• John Hill traveled to a local high school to help screen people who may have been exposed to respiratory irritants in the wake of Superstorm Sandy, and he was pictured with one gentleman who came in for the free testing in this article in the Courier-Post out of New Jersey. John’s hospital has conducted nine such screenings in recent months, thanks to a $625,000 grant it received from the Robin Hood Foundation.

• Chris Carfield’s tobacco cessation program is covered in this article in the McCook, NE, Daily Gazette. The six, one hour classes are being led by RRTs who have been certified as Tobacco Treatment Specialists. “There are numerous strategies to help people to achieve this goal and the specialist's job is to help the individual find the one that will work for them,” Chris was quoted as saying.

• Roland Romano is also delivering tobacco cessation to his community, through a course taking place at his local library, reports this article in the Roxbury, NJ, Register. Roland is certified in tobacco treatment as well.

• Chris Trotter and Keith Terry offer a great overview of their respiratory care educational program in this article in the Charleston, WV, Daily Mail. “Our advanced coursework engages our students, fostering the foundation of knowledge necessary to result in better patient outcomes,” Keith was quoted as saying.

• Specialty Hospital of Washington-Capitol Hill is noted for receiving the AARC’s Quality Respiratory Care Recognition in this article in the Digital Journal.