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The Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC) recently selected the Respiratory Therapy Program at Stanly Community College (SCC) to receive the Distinguished RRT Credentialing Success Award. RRT is the acronym for Registered Respiratory Therapist.

The award is presented as part of the CoARC’s continued efforts to value the registered respiratory therapist credential as a standard of professional achievement. From a program effectiveness perspective, the CoARC views the RRT credential as a measure of a program’s success in inspiring its graduates to achieve their highest educational and professional aspirations.

“Congratulations to the Respiratory Therapy team on receiving the Distinguished RRT Credentialing Success Award,” Vice President of Academic Affairs/Chief Academic Officer Jeff Parsons said. “Our faculty and staff work tirelessly to ensure our students receive the very best education possible. SCC’s success is a direct result of your efforts.”

Tina Lewman, M.A.Ed., RRT-NPS, RCP, and program director for the Respiratory Therapy Program at Stanly Community College, added: “We really appreciate this distinct recognition from COARC. This year has been one like no other. Our faculty and clinical instructors have had to become very creative in preparing our students to become graduates of the program. The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the importance of the role of the respiratory therapist and it is an honor to serve our healthcare communities in this profession.”

In selecting programs for this recognition, the CoARC Board used objective criteria based on key accreditation metrics. These programs were required to: have three or more years of outcomes data; hold accreditation without a progress report; document RRT credentialing success of 90 percent or above; and meet or exceed established CoARC thresholds for TMC high cut score and retention.

For more information about the program at Stanly Community College, contact Tina Lewman at 704-991-0268 or tlewman3777@stanly.edu.