Update from the Chair: Since the retirement of our patriarch, Associate Professor Emeritus Cade Harkins (yes….that’s his real title!), the RC Department has been busy keeping that educational torch burning bright by preparing primo Respiratory Therapists…..and more!

In addition to our excellent BSRC Program that remains one of the largest program located in a university in the country, we had added a polysomnography (PSG) program, as well. Because of our university setting, we had the option to offer the PSG program at the graduate-level, making Texas State the first (and only) graduate-level PSG Program in the nation! After receiving our initial accreditation for the PSG Program, we began this fall and are excited about the future of this program in providing a transition for all credentialed RC Practitioners to the world of sleep. The program is offered at both the undergraduate and at the graduate levels, with students completing the graduate PSG program eligible to complete a master’s degree at Texas State, as well. The three possible master’s degree options are a Master of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies (MSIS) and, more recently, a Master of either Healthcare Human Resources or Health Services Research.

The Texas State Sleep Lab continues to be an excellent addition to educational/clinical teaching, research and diagnostics. Bill Wharton, BS, RRT, RSPGT, is the director of the sleep lab and our patients comment that it reminds them of a “bed-and-breakfast” in the hill country.

The BSRC Program continues to grow with currently 163 RC students enrolled in the freshman through senior years…..no wonder we are so tired all the time!! Clinical education is coordinated by Chris Russian, MEd, RRT, RPSGT as our Director of Clinical Education for both the RC and PSG Programs. Chris is often seen dashing from one clinical site to another checking on our outstanding clinical faculty and student learning. By the way, Chris is enrolled in the doctoral program in the College of Education at Texas State and we look forward to calling him “Dr. Russian” in a couple of years.

Tom Stokes, MEd, RRT, accepted a fulltime tenure-track position at Texas State one year ago and continues to teach clinically at University Hospital in San Antonio. Tom brings with him excellent clinical teaching and experience with asthma education program development.

Dr. Lynda Harkins continues to shine as our gross anatomy faculty of excellence and the three web-based RC courses she transformed for the department in the last several years. Her value as an outstanding teaching, researcher and “stats-queen” are rivaled only by her continued love of “barrel-racing” on the weekends!

Nancy Hinson, the REAL boss of the RC Department, continues to grace our telephone and email with her wonderful, warm and professional manner. Nancy is been with us over 10 years and we will never let her leave!!

Besides the wonderful things mentioned above, the RC faculty has been very involved in research, publication of articles, book chapters and abstracts. Exciting research involving the sleep lab has involved the entire faculty and we have enjoyed collaborative research projects with faculty from other departments and colleges, as well.

Our 10-year CoARC Accreditation Site Visit was conducted this past February with strong reviews. Although the final recommendation will come in November, we have received word that we have once again been recommended for a 10-year accreditation—the highest honor a program can receive. That means….we are good to go until 2016!!

We have also recently completed a new webpage detailing the department, faculty, students and information that can be obtained on-line by individuals interested in a career in Respiratory Care. Please take a moment to check out our new site at www.health.txstate.edu/RC and promise not to laugh at the “aging chair” pictures! (Cade told me this was an easy job, but he just MADE it look easy!!)

Finally, we are really proud to announce the creation of our College of Health Professions Ambassador Council. The purpose of the Ambassador’s Council is to recognize some of our accomplished past graduates and to invite them to participate in developing plans for future growth and advancement of our Respiratory Care Department, our BSRC Program and PSG Programs. Our Ambassadors are Mr. Larry Spector, Mr. Clint Geffert, and Mrs. Shawn McCormick. All three CHP Ambassadors strengthened the council with their great ideas, professional contacts and passion for see RC and PSG advanced through Texas State University-San Marcos (or Southwest Texas State University).

Please feel free to come by and visit anytime you are in beautiful San Marcos. We would love the opportunity to show you the RC Department and the Texas State Sleep Lab…..I’ll buy lunch!