RESPIRATORY CARE PROGRAM GAINS APPROVAL

February 25, 2005      

BLOOMINGTON, IN – The Commission for Higher Education has approved a Respiratory Care Program for the Ivy Tech Community College – Bloomington campus. This new program will be offered beginning in the 2005 fall semester and is being added to Ivy Tech’s inventory to meet a community demand for respiratory care professionals.

“The addition of a Respiratory Care Program is a direct result of our partnership with Bloomington Hospital & Healthcare System,” explains James Smith, Ivy Tech –Bloomington’s Dean of Academic Affairs. “Respiratory care professionals are in high demand and the hospital has identified a dearth of trained professionals in our area. By adding this program, we are doing what community colleges do – meet the demands of the communities they serve.”

The Respiratory Care Program will prepare students by giving them a scientific background and training them in clinical settings to care for patients. Respiratory therapists are qualified to assume primary responsibility for all respiratory care modalities, including respiratory therapy technician functions. Students wishing to pursue a Bachelor of Science degree in Respiratory Care will be able to do so by completing the Associate of Science Degree at Ivy Tech - Bloomington and transferring it to IUPUI.

John Whikehart, Ivy Tech Community College – Bloomington Chancellor, cites the program as another example of the institution’s growth in the life science arena. “We are pleased to add respiratory care to our inventory of life science programs to meet both the workforce needs of area medical providers, and the health care career path desires of individual students seeking positions in local demand.”

Prospective students interested in obtaining more information about the Respiratory Care Program should contact the Ivy Tech Office of Student Recruitment at 812-330-6350 or toll free at 1-866-447-0700.