October 26, 2026
As Respiratory Care Week 2026 gets underway, Ursuline College announces that its Bachelor of Science in Respiratory Care degree advancement program has been awarded the 2027-28 APEX Designation from the American Association for Respiratory Care (AARC) – the only program in Ohio to receive the designation.
The College established its Applied Science (AAS) to Bachelor of Science (BS) in Respiratory Care program to help support the healthcare workforce needs in Northeast Ohio as well as support the long-term career growth of students. The online format is ideal for working registered respiratory therapists pursuing their bachelor’s degree.
A respiratory therapist (RT) is a specialized healthcare professional who assesses, treats, and manages patients of all ages with breathing or cardiopulmonary (heart and lung) disorders. They mainly practice within the critical care areas of the hospital but also provide care within the outpatient areas performing pulmonary function tests, sleep studies, and pulmonary rehab care.
While RTs can sit for their licensure exam with an associate degree, respiratory therapists with a bachelor’s degree are eligible for advanced roles, including clinical specialists, department directors, clinical educators, research associates, and medical sales professionals.
“A BSRC is quickly becoming the standard for anyone seeking upper-level positions within the field,” said Brittany Conley, MBA, BSRT, RRT-ACCS, RPFT, program director for Respiratory Care and vice president of the Ohio Society for Respiratory Care. “We designed this program to ensure our students are prepared with leadership, management, and educator skills they will require as they advance in their career.”
Demand for RTs is on the rise. The current projection from the Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates 12.1 percent employment growth for respiratory therapists between 2024 and 2034, which translates to approximately 16,800 future job openings.
Like the Magnet Program for nursing, the Apex Program requires facilities to provide comprehensive documentation on factors essential to delivering top-notch care. In addition to education programs, Apex designation is available for acute care hospitals, post-acute care facilities, long-term care settings, international acute care, home medical equipment suppliers and dedicated transport programs.
“It is rewarding to have our Respiratory Care program recognized for its high-quality education. It is a testament to Brittany’s leadership, and I’m glad to see her efforts recognized with the APEX Designation,” states Kimberly Cavanagh, DHSc, PA-C, dean of Morosky College of Health Professions & Sciences at Gannon University. “With chronic respiratory disease on the rise, as well as the increase in e-cigarette usage and other environmental risk factors, highly skilled RTs are vital to our healthcare workforce. This program shows we are dedicated to help meet that need.”
AARC developed the Apex Designation to acknowledge the significant contribution of RTs and highlight best practices in respiratory care that align with evidence-based medicine. It also serves to help consumers choose healthcare facilities that prioritize patient safety and outcomes by delivering high-quality care.
Accreditation Information:
Ursuline College’s Bachelor of Science in Respiratory Care program in Pepper Pike, Ohio (CoARC #500031) holds Provisional Accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (www.coarc.com).
