Respiratory Care
The Degree
Associate in Applied Science (A.A.S.)
The Outlook
Over the last few years, the role of respiratory care professionals has expanded greatly. It is anticipated that the need for respiratory therapists in all health care settings will grow 40% over the next decade. Therapists are also needed to serve on multidisciplinary teams within the health care environment. For these and many other reasons, the need for therapists with multiple skills is expected to increase. Respiratory therapists can go on to become managers, administrators, supervisors, and educators.
The Program
Respiratory Care is a health care specialty involving the treatment, management, control, diagnostic evaluation, and care of patients with cardiopulmonary diseases. Working with a team of physicians, nurses, therapists, and other acute care specialists, respiratory therapists play an important role in helping patients recover from injury or illness.
Respiratory Therapy has been around in many forms since the 1940's. Professionals working in the field have been called oxygen technicians, inhalation therapists, respiratory therapists, and respiratory care practitioners. It is only within the last 15 years that respiratory care has taken its place as an essential and non-replaceable part of the health care delivery system.
Through a regional articulation agreement with Genesee Community College, Finger Lakes Community College offers access to a two-year Associate in Applied Science degree in Respiratory Care. This agreement allows students to apply for admission to the program and complete their first-year course requirements at FLCC's Canandaigua campus. In the second year, they attend classes at GCC and complete clinical internships at health care facilities in their home area. Upon completion of all curriculum requirements, students apply for graduation through GCC and, if all requirements are met, the A.A.S. Respiratory Care degree is awarded.
The Faculty
Christopher Stercula, Instructor and Coordinator of Clinical Education for Respiratory Care. Stercula has served on the staffs of Strong Memorial Hospital and Rochester General Hospital in the Rochester area, Sisters and Kaleida Hospitals in the Buffalo area. He is also a neonatal/pediatric respiratory specialist. He holds an A.A.S. degree from Erie Community College, a B.S. degree from California College for Health Science, and a M.S. degree from Canisius College.
