TCC’s respiratory therapy program earns reaccreditation

Tidewater Community College’s nationally recognized respiratory therapy program has earned continuing accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC).

The recent accreditation review by CoARC recognizes the program’s compliance with national accreditation standards. The site team that visited TCC did not identify any deficiencies during its review of the program.

“What we have achieved speaks to both our dedicated and energetic faculty who challenge students to strive for excellence every day, as well as the outstanding administrative support from the college,” said Denise Bieszczad, TCC’s program head for respiratory therapy. “The program also receives exceptional support from local hospital facilities, which provide ample clinical opportunities for student learning.”

Last summer the program received the 2015 Registered Respiratory Therapy Distinguished Credentialing Success Award. Only 78 of the 427 accredited respiratory therapy programs in the nation earn that distinction.

TCC, which offers an Associate of Applied Science in Respiratory Therapy, has one of eight such programs in the state. Five are associate degree programs and three are bachelor’s.

Students in TCC’s six-semester program learn on state-of-the-art equipment in the Regional Health Professions Center on the Virginia Beach Campus. Classrooms include high-fidelity simulation labs similar to those in hospitals and other medical facilities, which allow students to make critical decisions and develop problem-solving skills with immediate feedback from faculty.

In addition, TCC partners with all major health care providers in Hampton Roads to provide clinical rotations for students.

The program boasts a pass rate above 95 percent on the Registered Respiratory Therapy Exam. Almost every graduate is employed prior to graduation.

For more information about TCC’s respiratory therapy program, contact Bieszczad at 757-822-7412 or dbieszczad@tcc.edu.