Perspectives Winter/Spring 2018

26 Nova Southeastern University Cardiopulmonary Sciences Palm Beach Students Complete Educational Odyssey By K. Todd King, Ph.D., RRT, Assistant Professor, and Tabatha Dragonberry, M.Ed., RRT-NPS, Assistant Professor THE DEPARTMENT OF CARDIOPULMONARY SCIENCES grad- uated its first cohort in August 2017. The students came from around the globe and from many different backgrounds, but they all had one thing in common—aspirations of becoming respiratory therapists. After six consecutive semesters, they successfully completed their educational journey to become respiratory therapists. The experiences and educational growth they had will last a lifetime. Now, they enter a profession of service to others with dedication to lifelong learning. In addition to their academics, students were required to complete a minimum of two service-learning projects each year. One of the projects took place at the Health Care and Career Symposium at Inlet Grove High School sponsored by the T. Leroy Jefferson Medical Society. During the symposium, they shared their personal stories as to why they chose the career path of respiratory therapy. The event promoted the profession as well as healthy life- style choices. The high school students listened, observed respiratory modalities, and even shared personal aspects of how respiratory diseases have affected them, whether it was personally or through affected friends and family members. Perform Community Service Some of the social, but still educational, aspects of the respi- ratory program were the opportunities to perform community service and attend state respiratory conferences. One of the community service opportunities was the Pediatric Oncology Support Team annual fund-raising walk. During the fund-rais- ing walk, some of the students helped set up the 5K course, some worked in the kids’ area for smaller participants, and others were cheerleaders for the participants. All of the students experienced how great it was to give back to the community and to assist the children fighting cancer. While at the state conferences, the students had the oppor- tunity to interact with other students and professionals while learning from state and national leaders in the respiratory care profession. Through these interactions, the students developed professional relationships and became stewards of their community. Aspects of the NSU Bachelor of Science in Respiratory Therapy Program that provided a unique educational experience for the recent PCHCS graduates included additional classes in management, ethics, evidence-based practice, pulmonary function testing,