YSU Respiratory Care Program receives award

YSU’s program began in 1977 and has graduated nearly 500 students.

STAFF REPORT

YOUNGSTOWN — Youngstown State University’s Respiratory Care Program has received the “Excellence in Respiratory Therapy Education Award” from the Committee on Accreditation for Respiratory Care.

The committee is the national agency that recommends accreditation for two- and four-year respiratory therapy programs. The award is given to the respiratory care program that is a designated national leader, demonstrating excellence in respiratory care education.

YSU’s program was chosen from among 14 finalists from across the nation, according to Shelley C. Mishoe, accreditation committee chairwoman. She said YSU’s program received the award for noteworthy achievements in several areas, including distinguished leadership in the profession, distinction in the area of teaching, demonstrated major contributions to the respiratory care profession and student and faculty community involvement.

The award, which comes with a $1,000 prize, will be awarded during the American Association for Respiratory Care’s Summer Forum in July in Phoenix, Ariz.

YSU’s respiratory care program was started in 1977 and has graduated nearly 500 students. Louis Harris led the program for 31 years before retiring in May. Teresa Volsko is the new director, while Mary Yacovone is the program’s new director of clinical education. Both are graduates of the YSU program.

Respiratory therapy is an allied health profession concerned with the diagnostic evaluation, treatment and management of patients with cardiopulmonary disorders.

The YSU program provides graduates with a bachelor of science degree in respiratory care. The program is also one of only 52 programs in the nation at the bachelor degree level.