Skip to Content

Faculty, Student, Alumni Recognition

Faculty Recognition

The Department of Respiratory Care is excited to announce it has been designated a NIOSH-Approved Spirometry Training Center. The inaugural course was held on May 16th and 17th, 2023 for 8 attendees. After more than one year of preparation, we have become only the second NIOSH-Approved Spirometry Training Center in the State of Texas and only 1 of 34 in the United States. The NIOSH Spirometry Training Course aims to ensure that healthcare professionals and technicians who administer spirometry tests are professionally trained and competent in conducting the tests accurately and consistently. The course covers an overview of spirometry, test preparation, performing tests, quality assurance and control, common errors and technical issues, and test interpretation. NIOSH-approved spirometry training is required by Federal Law for individuals performing spirometry testing on workers exposed to cotton, coal, and silica dusts. By completing a NIOSH Spirometry Training Course, participants gain the necessary knowledge and skills to perform spirometry tests accurately, ensuring reliable results and improving the quality of health assessments. 

NIOSH Course

This first course was a complete success, and all "students" passed their practicum and written exams. The attendees included 5 respiratory therapists,1 nurse practitioner, 1 RN, and 1 physician. Spirometry Training Courses provide comprehensive training to individuals who perform spirometry testing in occupational and healthcare settings. All healthcare professionals who perform or interpret spirometry are eligible and encouraged to take a NIOSH-approved spirometry training course. Course participants receive a solid foundation in spirometry testing and how to collect accurate and valid testing results. Dr. Kevin Collins serves as the Course Director and Dr. Chris Russian serves as a Faculty Instructor for the program. We hope to offer a total of three spirometry courses a year. Visit our Department of Respiratory Care NIOSH Spirometry Training Course page and the CDC NIOSH Spirometry Training Program page for more information.

 

Student Recognition

Congratulations to our Junior BSRC student, Emily Rushing!  She was featured in the Humble ISD Athletic Training Program presentation to the Humble ISD School Board on how being in the athletic training program helped her decide to pursue a career in the medical field and why she chose to become an RT. Way to go Emily, we are proud to have you!

Watch the video here!

 

Congratulations to Nathan Pounds, MSRC Graduate Student. He was selected as the Outstanding Department of Respiratory Care MSRC student and the College of Health Professions Outstanding Graduate Student. Nathan is a Registered Respiratory Therapist and Certified Asthma Educator from Springfield, Missouri. 

Nathan Pounds MSRC Outstanding Graduate Student 2023

Nathan earned his associate in respiratory therapy from the award-winning respiratory therapy program at Ozark’s Technical Community College where he is currently employed as a full-time instructor and Laboratory Coordinator. He holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Missouri State  University.  Nathan anticipates graduating with his master’s degree in respiratory care in December 2023.  

 

Nathan’s previous experience in education and social work, in addition to his personal experience caring for his 4 children, one of which has a significant history of asthma and respiratory illness, fuels his passion for the field.  He desires to see future generations of clinicians develop the skills and passion needed to educate and support patients and their families through the best patient centered care possible.  When not at work, you will find Nathan spending time with his family, reading about the world of respiratory care, and drinking lots of coffee. We are extremely proud of you, Nathan!

 

Congratulations to Dawn Headrick, MSRC Graduate Student, on her first publication. Her article, Congenital Central Hypoventilation Syndrome in the Neonate: A Historical Literature Review and Recommendations, was published in the 2023 Winter Edition of

Dawn Headrick MSRC Student Publication

Neonatal Intensive Care: The Journal of Perinatology-Neonatology. The first publication is a huge milestone. We are thrilled to see your work being recognized. This paper began as a project assignment in our RC5308 Advanced Cardiopulmonary Diagnostics and Therapeutics course. We encourage all MSRC students to consider submitting coursework for publication and presentation. They work extremely hard in the program; it is nice to see the paper in print. You can download a free copy of the article here

 

MSRC Graduates

Congratulations to the 2022 MSRC Fall Graduates. Walking the commencement stage brings the best smiles. Enjoy this time because you earned it. You all are Rising Stars!

Graduates Pictured (top left moving clockwise): Sarah Boozer, Joe Lewis, Fatim Seck, Tatum Lane, Charnette Zaskoda.

MSRC Graduates Fall 2022

 

Congratulations to the 2021 MSRC Fall Graduates. We are proud of your accomplishment. Add the MSRC letters after your name because you earned it. We know you all will do great things and shine. You are Rising Stars!

Graduates Pictured (Top to Bottom): Rita Lopez Vigil, Zachary Hubbell, Jacquelyn Schenck, Genie George, Theresa Griego, Shawn Terry, Robin Garcia, Sierra Norwood, Carlynn Shaw, Samantha Gutierrez

Graduates Not Pictured: Aaron Bagley, Chelsea Dallas, Afroza Khan, JJ Valdez

MSRC Commencement Fall 2021


Alumni News

Congratulations to Jennifer Sauers, BSRC graduate and current MSRC student, for being named Relief Manager at Texas Children’s Hospital. A rising star in the classroom and outside the classroom. Onward and upward!

 

Congratulations to Morgan Meyers, MSRC graduate in 2019, for being named Respiratory Therapy Manager at CHRISTUS Santa Rosa New Braunfels. We are so proud of all you have accomplished, Morgan. We know you will be using all you learned in the MSRC to benefit your patients and department.

 

Congratulations to Laura Russian, BSRC, RRT, RPFT, for having her abstract accepted at the annual 2021 North American Cystic Fibrosis Conference (NACFC). Her abstract, "Improving Home Spirometry Adherence for Out-Patient Cystic Fibrosis (CF) Clinic,” was showcased as a presentation and poster in the Virtual Exhibit Hall. Additionally, her abstract will be electronically published in the supplement to the Journal of Cystic Fibrosis. Laura is a 2004 graduate of the Texas State BSRC program and works in the CF Clinic at Dell Children’s Medical Center. Huge applause for Laura and her valuable contributions to the CF community. Co-Authors on the project include Kathy Villagomez, RRT, Adult CF Program Coordinator, and Shine-Ann Pai, RRT, QI Coordinator and Interim Pediatric Program Coordinator.

 

Congratulations to Karen Blain, MSRC 2020 graduate, for being published in the November 2021 issue of RC Journal. Effect of Student Demographics, Prior Military Service, and Class Start Times on Academic Performance in a Respiratory Care Program. This is a project she worked on with Dr. Arzu Ari in the MSRC research courses. Karen is currently a Clinical Assistant Professor in the Respiratory Care Department at UNC Wilmington. Huge applause for Karen and Dr. Ari!

 

Congratulations to Charnette Zaskoda, @MSRC_TexasState student for receiving the 2021 Stephen P. Mikles, EdS, RRT, FAARC Media Award. This scholarship is sponsored by the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC). In addition to the monetary award, Charnette will also receive full registration to the 2021 AARC Virtual International Congress. Huge applause for you, Charnette! 

 

Congratulations to Tiffany Leonard, @MSRC_TexasState graduate in 2020, for accepting a Clinical Navigator position at PAM Rehabilitation Hospital of Round Rock. We are so proud of you, Tiffany. We know you will shine in this role! https://www.linkedin.com/in/tiffany-leonard-msrc-rrt-1b32927a

 

Congratulations to Jamesa Ratcliff, @MSRC_TexasState graduate in 2020, for accepting a Medical Science Liaison position at Theravance Biopharma US, Inc. We are so proud of you, Jamesa. We look forward to sharing all your future successes. https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesa-ratcliff-msrc-rrt-62524727

 

Congratulations to Karen Blain, @MSRC_TexasState graduate in 2020, for accepting a Clinical Assistant Professor position in the School of Health and Applied Human Science at UNC Wilmington. We are so proud of you, Karen. Your hard work paid off. Welcome to academia!

 

Congratulations to Catherine Mollenkopf, @MSRC_TexasState graduate in 2018, for accepting the Manager position at A & P Quality Care Medical. We are so proud of you, Cat. Thank you for making us look good! https://www.linkedin.com/in/catherine-mollenkopf-173680144

 

 

Distance and Extended Learning Online Teaching Award-2019

Lynda Harkins

The Department of Respiratory Care at Texas State University is incredibly proud of Dr. Lynda Harkins (center) for being the recipient of the 6th Annual Award for Excellence in Online Teaching. The award, co-sponsored by the Office of Distance and Extended Learning, recognizes and rewards superior online teaching. Dr. Harkins continues to be the model of excellence for fellow faculty and encourages all faculty to improve and advance their online teaching pedagogy. Dr. Harkins teaches in the Master of Science in Respiratory Care program at Texas State. Have you considered advancing your education and learning from award winning online professors? Now is the time!  #getyourmsrc

Distance and Extended Learning Online Teaching Award - 2019

Dr Ari Runner-Up_2019

The Department of Respiratory Care at Texas State University is incredibly proud of Dr. Arzu Ari (center) for being recognized at the 6th Annual Award for Excellence in Online Teaching. The award, co-sponsored by the Office of Distance and Extended Learning, recognizes and rewards superior online teaching. Dr. Ari continues to be the model of excellence for fellow faculty and encourages all faculty to improve and advance their online teaching pedagogy. Dr. Ari teaches in the Master of Science in Respiratory Care program at Texas State. Have you considered advancing your education and learning from award winning online professors? Now is the time! #getyourmsrc

 

Are you a Texas State Respiratory Care Alumni?

We would love to hear from you and keep in touch. Update your contact information. 

Update your information here.

Alumni Giving

The Department of Respiratory Care is grateful for the financial support it receives from alumni, faculty, staff, parents, foundations, hospitals, and businesses.  Because of the resources provided by their many gifts over the years, the department has been able to provide scholarships to our students on an annual basis. Donations can be designated to the RC specific scholarships or to a University scholarship. Please contact University Advancement for instructions and ways to give.