The award comes from the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care in recognition of the success of students in the university’s Respiratory Care program.
Youngstown State University’s Respiratory Care program has earned the 2025 Distinguished Registered Respiratory Therapist Credentialing Success Award from the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care. The award recognizes the success of students within the program, with the current pass rate for students on the national registry sitting at 98%.
According to an article on Youngstown State University’s website, Kelly L. Colwell, who serves as an associate professor of health professions and the program director of respiratory care, was quoted as saying of the award, “This recognition is a testament to the dedication, credibility and integrity of our faculty. Our students and graduates can be confident in the high-quality academic structure and experience offered here, which prepares them to be highly sought after in the health care workforce. This recognition highlights our program’s high standards, professionalism and commitment to preparing future respiratory care professionals. Ultimately, it supports our mission to improve patient care, enhance outcomes and serve the needs of the health care industry.”
The webpage for the Respiratory Care program states that it prepares students to work as licensed respiratory care practitioners who are the only members of a care team that are licensed and trained to operate ventilators and life support systems. The program “equips students with the knowledge and hands-on experience necessary to diagnose, treat, manage, and educate patients with cardiopulmonary disorders.”
The 2025 Distinguished Registered Respiratory Therapist Credentialing Success Award from the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care was given to the university’s program following the program meeting criteria such as sustained outcomes data, high success rates, strong student retention, and full program accreditation.
Colwell believes the program has been so successful due to the instructors themselves being credentialed respiratory care professionals who are experienced in the field. Students are able to experience clinical scenarios as well as classroom learning opportunities that help them learn to be workforce ready upon program completion.
For more information about Youngstown State University, visit the school’s website.