Sinclair Community College Celebrates Respiratory Care Students and Faculty

Sinclair Community College is celebrating and recognizing respiratory care students and faculty for the critical roles they play in patient care. The recognition is part of National Respiratory Care Week from October 20-26, 2024. This year’s theme is Journey TOGETHER. Impact FOREVER. 

Sinclair’s Respiratory Care program was founded in 1971 by Duane Gardner, with the first 18 graduates receiving their Associate of Applied Science Degrees in Respiratory Care in 1973.  Over the past five years, 119 students have graduated with associate degrees from Sinclair’s Respiratory Care program.  

"Sinclair Community College takes immense pride in our Respiratory Care program and the unwavering commitment of our students and faculty to improving patient lives," says Sanja B. Keller, Program Director/Department Chair for Sinclair's Respiratory Care Program. "Our graduates receive a top-notch education and gain valuable clinical experience, ensuring they are well-equipped for fulfilling careers."

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a 13% growth in respiratory therapist employment through 2033, with an estimated 8,200 new job openings annually. Right now, the median wage for respiratory therapists in Ohio is $75,150.

Sinclair Community College works closely with hospital partners in the Dayton region to develop strategies for addressing the critical need for respiratory therapists. In Fall 2021, Sinclair expanded its Respiratory Care Program to increase the number of students in the program by 21%.

"We are fortunate to see a 100% employment rate for Sinclair's Respiratory Care graduates," emphasized Keller. "They fill a critical need in our community and often benefit from sign-on bonuses, employer-paid tuition, and competitive salaries."

Sinclair Community College currently offers a Respiratory Care Associate of Applied Science.

Learn more at Sinclair.edu/Respiratory. Sinclair’s Respiratory Care Program is also part of the Sinclair Health Sciences Academy that provides the opportunity for our healthcare partners, including Premier Health, Kettering Health, and Dayton Children's, to connect employees with high-quality education and career opportunities.

National Respiratory Care Week was established by President Ronald Reagan in 1982 to celebrate and recognize respiratory therapists and to promote careers in this rewarding, in-demand field.

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