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San Joaquin Valley College Blog

Rancho Cordova’s Respiratory Therapy program earns prestigious award

April 25, 2016

RT CordovaThe Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC) recently notified SJVC’s Rancho Cordova Respiratory Therapy program that it has earned the Distinguished RRT Credentialing Success award.

“It’s not just a big pat on the back for what we’ve been doing,” says Jeff Rutherford, Campus Director and Respiratory Therapy Program Director. “It is an affirmation to the faculty that they are doing what they need to do to make our students successful, and it lets prospective and current students know that they made the right decision to go to SJVC.”

CoARC makes its award determination based upon set criteria for Respiratory Therapy programs:

  1. Have three or more years of outcomes data
  2. Hold accreditation without a progress report
  3. Document Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) credentialing success of 90 percent or above
  4. Meet or exceed established CoARC thresholds for Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRT) credentialing success, attrition and positive job placement

Rancho Cordova’s Respiratory Therapy program met or exceeded all criteria. Staff, faculty and students are beaming with program pride.

“As a 4th term student preparing to take the RRT exam, I find a strong sense of confidence knowing that my campus has successfully prepared so many students for this exam,” says Leysa Wagner. “I am proud to be able to say that I attend a school with such impressive credentialing success and I look forward to sitting among those students.”

SJVC’s Respiratory Therapy program is among 439 nationwide, and only 66 earned this accolade last year.

San Joaquin Valley College has offered the Respiratory Therapy program for more than 35 years. A reputation for excellence in providing well-trained professionals to their respective communities has always been key to the program’s longevity and success.

“The real accolades go to the faculty and every other employee on this campus,” says Mr. Rutherford. “From First Contact, Admissions, Financial Aid, Career Services and all of the academics; it’s truly a team effort. You can’t achieve this level of quality and program success do this without every department performing at the top of their game.”

The greatest beneficiaries of the Respiratory Therapy program’s accomplishments are its students and graduates.

“We should feel honored as students to attend a school that sets their standards so high,” says Jana Vidovcich, Rancho Cordova Respiratory Therapy student. “Using the knowledge that I gain from SJVC, I feel confident that I will reach my full potential as a Respiratory Therapist.”

“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,” states Brad Leidich, CoARC president in his letter of congratulations to SJVC.

“We are at the pinnacle of what we’re supposed to be doing, as directed and mandated by CoARC, but there is always opportunity for improvement,” says Mr. Rutherford. “They are there to ensure that the quality of RT education is delivered by schools under its accreditation, and we’re doing that and more.”

Jeff Rutherford will attend CoARC’s June reception in Florida where he will receive the Certificate of Recognition on behalf of Rancho Cordova’s Respiratory Therapy program.

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