News — The University of West Florida’s Usha Kundu, MD College of Health has expanded its offerings by adding a new respiratory therapy program to its catalog. Only the third of its kind in the state of Florida and one of a select few nationwide, the Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences with a specialization in Respiratory Therapy (BSHS-RT) is designed to equip students with advanced knowledge and skills to meet the growing demand for respiratory care professionals. This program will be taught in person on UWF’s Pensacola campus.
“We’re excited to offer one of the few programs of its kind in the nation, giving students the chance to step into a growing and incredibly rewarding field,” said Dr. David Bellar, dean of the Usha Kundu, MD College of Health. “Respiratory therapists are important components of the overall health care system that make a real difference in people’s lives, and this program is designed to prepare our students to do just that with confidence and compassion.”
Respiratory therapy is the allied health discipline that specializes in the treatment and care of the heart and lungs. Respiratory therapists work closely with patients struggling to breathe, providing immediate relief and long-term care. With the increasing prevalence of respiratory conditions such as asthma, COPD and lung infections, as well as aging populations and complications related to COVID-19, the demand for highly trained respiratory therapists is growing. This program will prepare graduates to meet these health care needs, providing in-depth education in areas such as critical care, neonatal-pediatric care and advanced diagnostic procedures.
The BSHS-RT program combines both lecture-based and lab-based courses, covering a wide range of respiratory therapy-specific topics, including patient assessment, mechanical ventilation, pharmacotherapy, advanced patient monitoring, and cardiopulmonary diseases and diagnostics. Following a flipped classroom model, students will spend the majority of classroom time with the instructor applying what they’ve learned through interactive labs, in-person discussions and clinical-based simulations.
UWF’s new BSHS-RT program will prepare graduates to work in various health care settings including hospitals, outpatient clinics, rehabilitation centers, home health care and research institutions. The program also opens doors to management positions within health care organizations, teaching roles and research opportunities, in addition to laying the foundation for those who wish to pursue graduate studies in related fields.
For more information about the Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences with a specialization in Respiratory Therapy, visit .
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