Back Row, Left to Right: Lakeitha McCraney, Chris Sullivan, Renee Wise, Jessica Alphin (Director of Clinical Education), Baylee Hudspeth, Leah Keith, and Kayleigh Abbott. Front Row, Left to Right: Sammantha Gann, Gracelyn Bruner, Sydnee Shreve, and Rachel Ness.
Black River Technical College’s (BRTC) Respiratory Care program held its Spring 2025 graduation and pinning ceremony on Tuesday, April 29 in the Randolph County Development Center.
Ten students earned an Associate of Applied Science in Respiratory Care and together put in over 1,000 hours of clinical time. Before receiving diplomas, Class President Kayleigh Abbott spoke to her classmates and congratulated them on all of their accomplishments. The graduates also took a moment to pass out roses to family and friends to thank them for always being there for them while in the program.
Jessica Alphin, Director of Clinical Education, and Jason Linam, Program Director, presented awards to students. The Outstanding Academic Achievement award was given to Renee Wise and the Outstanding Clinical Achievement award was given to Chris Sullivan. After receiving their awards and diplomas, graduates gathered back on stage to recite the respiratory care pledge.
Respiratory faculty also presented awards to a clinical preceptor and a clinical facility. The winners of the awards were chosen and voted on by the graduating class. Mary Elliot of St. Bernard’s Medical Center NICU received the Outstanding Clinical Preceptor of the Year award. St. Bernard’s Medical Center received the Outstanding Clinical Facility of the Year award.
The Respiratory Care program prepares students in the knowledge, skills, and behavior learning domains of respiratory care practice as performed by registered respiratory therapists. BRTC’s program is 18-months long and begins in January each year. Applications for the program open February 1 of each year and close at the end of Fall term.
Pictures from the ceremony can be found here https://www.flickr.com/photos/blackrivertech/albums/72177720325746991.
For more information about the BRTC respiratory care program, contact Allied Health Advisor Dana Clay at (870) 248-4150 or DanaC@blackrivertech.edu.