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Crafton Hills Respiratory Care Program changes with times Crafton Hills College Respiratory Care program began over thirty years by offering a certificate for entry-level therapists. Now the program requires an associate degree and is one of the finest respiratory care programs in the state. Respiratory Care is the allied health profession that cares for patients with deficiencies and abnormalities of the cardiopulmonary systems. Conditions often requiring respiratory care include asthma, emphysema, chronic obstructive lung disease, pneumonia, cystic fibrosis, respiratory distress syndrome, and conditions caused by trauma. Professor, and former program director, Ken Bryson reflects back on the successful program as he prepares to retire after 34 years at Crafton Hills. The first year at CHC was a memorable one. "We weren't even at this facility," said Bryson, referring to the Chemistry/Health Sciences building."We were down at (the classroom building). The administration wasn't quite sure how many students we would have that first year. It was open enrollment." The Respiratory Care program had 88 students show up to that first class. There were two different sessions but Bryson said it was crowded. From that point on, CHC put restrictions on the number of students who were accepted, now limiting the program to 35 students. Initially the first year of CHC's Respiratory Care program was focused on obtaining a Certified Respiratory Therapist Certification (CRT). The second year of the program focused on the advanced program: Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT). Bryson said some of the biggest changes he has seen over the years in the respiratory care program include the licensure. A license is now required to practice. Another big change said Bryson is the general knowledge and recognition of what a respiratory therapist is."We take care of the sickest of the sick in the hospital and people don't really see us," said Bryson. "We're down in the ICU and NICU. It's a profession that the general public knows little about, but in the hospital they really respect respiratory therapists." "CHC's Respiratory Care Program is fully accredited, and our students have one of the highest first-time pass rates nationally for the Respiratory Care Board exams," Bryson said. "We have excellent clinical facilities, and all of our staff are Registered Respiratory Therapists. Students with this degree can expect 12 OUR YUCAIPA | JANUARY 2014 to earn from $54,000 to $81,000 per year in California." The third biggest change according to Bryant is the advanced technology in the field. "All of our ventilators (life support systems) were electric motor-driven apparatus and now they are all microprocessor (computer) ventilators," said Bryant. He said a big shift he expects to see in the future of Respiratory Care students is a bachelor's degree requirement as opposed to the current associate of science degree. CHC Clinical Director Ray Bell will be the new Program Director for the Respiratory Therapy program. He said Bryson has been thoroughly committed to the program and is well respected among his peers and students. "The word for him is 'legendary,'" said Bell. "In thirty years, he has created a strong program here that's above the rest in the area. His dedication to the program is impressive." Long-time colleague and Department Chair Brad Franklin has worked along Bryson since 1979. "We've seen a lot of changes since that time," said Franklin. "He's one of the reasons we set such high standards for our students. He took our program from where no one knew what we did to developing it with a reputation of being one of the best in the nation." The CHC Respiratory Care Program is affiliated with Jerry L. Pettis Memorial Medical Center, St. Bernardine Medical Center, Totally Kids Specialty Healthcare, Arrowhead Regional Medical Center, Loma Linda University Medical Center, Riverside Community Hospital, Riverside County Regional Medical Center and Eisenhower Medical Center.

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