SCSRC News – South Carolina Society For Respiratory Care

SCSRC Receives AARC Summit Award

December 2, 2020November 20, 2020 by Tracy Cook, MSc, RRT, RCP

We are excited and proud to announce that the South Carolina Society for Respiratory Care (SCSRC) is the 2020 recipient for the AARC’s prestigious Summit Award. This honor reflects our state’s efforts and achievements in promoting professionalism and growth in the field of respiratory care. To be considered for this esteemed annual award, a state affiliate of the AARC must submit a nomination that outlines and provides supporting documentation showing their activities related to seven specific categories:

Educational activities
Membership and recruiting
Legislation/Advocacy
Promoting public awareness
Benefits to members
Collaboration with other health care organizations
Student activities

We thank everyone who supported, volunteered and advocated for the respiratory care professional and provided the opportunity to demonstrate our activities in the seven categories while supporting the SCSRC members, patients and students. The last few years have shown many challenges, from inclement weather to fighting a pandemic, yet we continue to shine and excel in our endeavors.

The SCSRC President, Dr. Jerry Alewine accepted the Summit award and shared his excitement and sentiments on the efforts behind receiving this distinction:

“On behalf of the South Carolina Society for Respiratory Care and all respiratory therapists in South Carolina, I graciously accept the 2020 Summit Award. As is well appreciated, these past few months have been a very difficult time for healthcare, and in particular, the respiratory therapist. Through it all, we have continued as a profession, thrived as individuals, and will forever be recognized as vital in the fight against the devastation that is COVID-19.

To have been awarded the Summit Award, the diligence and commitment of our respiratory therapist has been recognized. They have endured a pandemic and remained consistent in their demand for exceptional care and the promotion of professionalism. This unique year that will be historically remembered as a time of great confusion, emotional turmoil, and unrelenting chaos that has allowed the profession of respiratory therapy to be spotlighted in a way as never before.

Having the pleasure of serving as president of the SCSRC, I am humbled and thankful for the dedication of the respiratory therapists in the state of South Carolina. Accepting this award, I do so solely as president but by no means the reason for this recognition. I accept on behalf of a state of dedicated professionals that work each day for the care of the patients we serve, promotion of the profession of respiratory therapy, and the commitment to excellence.

Again, thank you AARC and may each of you be blessed with a better day.”

Jerry A Alewine EdD, RRT
President of the SCSRC

Letters of Reference/Recommendation Are No Longer Required for RCPs

November 5, 2020 by Jerry Alewine

EFFECTIVE NOVEMBER 3, 2020… LETTERS OF REFERENCE/RECOMMENDATION ARE NO LONGER REQUIRED FOR RESPIRATORY CARE PRACTITIONERS [LL/TL]. APPLICATION FORMS WILL BE UPDATED TO REFLECT THIS CHANGE. IF YOU HAVE A RCP LL/TL APPLICATION PENDING, WE WILL UPDATE YOUR ONLINE APPLICATION CHECKLIST TO SHOW THAT YOUR REFERENCES ARE NOT PENDING. PLEASE CHECK YOUR APPLICATION STATUS ONLINE FOR OTHER PENDING ITEMS.

SCSRC 2020 Election Results

September 11, 2020 by Tarisha Latimer, RRT, RCP

On behalf of the SCSRC Board of Directors and the Election Committee we would like to thank everyone that took part in this process. We would also like to say congratulations and welcome to the incoming 2021 Board members. The results of the election are as follows:

President-Elect: Tracy Cook, MSc, RRT, RCP

Vice President: Holly Lever, RRT, RCP

Treasurer: Selma Watson, RRT, CPFT, RCP

Coastal Junior Director: Karen Simmons, BSRT, RRT-NPS, RPFT

Midlands Junior Director: Amanda Coffey, BS, RRT, RCP

Pee Dee Junior Director: ; Miesha Washington, RRT

Piedmont Junior Director: Megan Shell, BSRT, RRT-NPS

SCSRC Awards 2019

November 18, 2019October 30, 2019 by Selma B. Watson RRT, RCP

Congratulations to the Respiratory Care Services Department of Prisma Health – Upstate on receiving the 2019 Department of the Year award. Dr. Jerry Alewine, president-elect for the SCSRC presented the award to Holly Williams, MHA, RRT, Director of Respiratory Care Services, during their Respiratory Care Week activities.

Congratulations to Sherry Gordon on receiving the Leadership Practitioner of the Year Award for 2019! The award was presented by Dr. Jerry Alewine during Respiratory Care Week celebration at Self Regional Healthcare.

Dr. Jerry Alewine speaking at Prisma Health – Upstate during the Respiratory Care Week Celebration.

SCSRC 2019 Election Results

November 16, 2019September 4, 2019 by Jerry Alewine

The 2019 SCSRC Election results are in and are as follows:

President Elect
–Tarisha Latimer BS, RRT-NPS, RCP

Secretary
–Vanessa Dixon, MPH, RRT, RCP

Delegate
— Suzi Westmoreland, RRT-NPS, RCP

Coastal Junior Director
–Janice Quinn, BSRT, RRT, RCP

Midlands Junior Director
–Valentina “Tina” Archer, BGS, CRT, RCP

Pee Dee Junior Director
— Allan Dunphy, II, RRT-NPS, CPFT, RCP

Piedmont Junior Director
–Janet Carter, BSRT, RRT, RCP

Congratulations to all those who have been elected! These positions take effect January 1, 2020. We look forward to a successful year!

NEWBERRY COLLEGE CONFERS ITS FIRST RESPIRATORY THERAPY DEGREES

November 16, 2019June 16, 2019 by Newberry College

Newberry College recently conferred degrees upon its inaugural class of graduates in the Respiratory Therapy online degree-completion program.

Nine students became the first to earn their bachelor’s degrees in the degree-completion program that was launched in January 2018. The graduates received their degrees at the College’s spring commencement, held May 4 at Eleazer Arena on the Newberry campus.

“This first class of Respiratory Therapy graduates are well-equipped to excel in this fast-growing, critical field,” said Dr. Jerry Alewine, chair of the Department of Respiratory Therapy. “We are so proud of what they have accomplished in earning their baccalaureate degree and pleased to be able to offer a program that allows working professionals to complete their degree and still manage the demands of work, home and family.”