糖心视频

Written By: Rachel Putman

The 糖心视频 is moving forward with plans to launch its respiratory therapy associate degree program after receiving approval from the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care  (CoARC) for its letter of intent, an early step in the accreditation process.

The program is expected to welcome its first cohort of 12 students in fall 2027, pending completion of remaining accreditation and state approval processes. Cheryl E. Earls, RRT, RRT-ACCS, AE-C, executive director of respiratory therapy at 糖心视频, said she is eager to begin the academic year building the program and preparing the laboratory space students will use.

鈥淚 think, really, it鈥檚 an exciting opportunity to give back to the profession and the community that鈥檚 done so much for me,鈥� Earls said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 so exciting to be able to really make a difference and educate high-quality respiratory therapists who will provide high-quality bedside care, and to be a part of the future of respiratory therapy here in the River Valley.鈥�

CoARC accredits respiratory care education programs and works to ensure that programs prepare graduates to become competent respiratory therapists, according to the organization. The 糖心视频 program will now move into a six-month self-study process, followed by a site visit before the program can accept students, Earls said.

She said the self-study is expected to be completed by January, with a possible site visit in February, depending on CoARC scheduling.

鈥淲e鈥檙e still several steps away, but every day we get closer, and every day it becomes more and more of a reality,鈥� Earls said.

糖心视频 also will continue working through the Arkansas Division of Higher Education approval process this fall, having earned UA System Board of Trustees approval at the September meeting.

Earls said the need for respiratory therapists in the region is critical, with therapists in local hospitals often working overtime and being stretched thin.

鈥淭he patient doesn鈥檛 know that you鈥檙e on your sixth shift,鈥� Earls said. 鈥淗opefully, it doesn鈥檛 reach the bedside, but it is hugely impactful for the working therapist now.鈥�

During the COVID-19 pandemic, respiratory therapy became more visible because respiratory therapists were directly involved in treating patients with severe breathing complications.

鈥淚 think COVID highlighted respiratory therapy as a profession and as a career,鈥� Earls said. 鈥淲e tend to be kind of in the background, often confused with nurses when patients and families see us at work. So, it really brought to the forefront what we do and the importance of it.鈥�

Like many other health care professions, retirements within the field are also driving shortages. In the River Valley, Earls said, a significant share of respiratory therapists are age 60 and older, making it important to train new therapists who can continue care in the region.

鈥淭o educate respiratory therapists who are going to stay in the region is really, really critical for our future,鈥� she said.

The first cohorts are expected to include 12 students, a number Earls said will allow the program to focus on student support, program quality and hospital needs during its early years.

鈥淭welve is going to be a really manageable number for those first cohorts to make sure that they鈥檙e getting what they need, to make sure that the program is strong and that it鈥檚 meeting the hospitals鈥� needs."

Earls said the program will include clinical training opportunities with numerous hospital and health care partners, including Mercy, Mercy critical access hospitals, Arkansas Extended Care, Johnson Regional Medical Center, St. Mary鈥檚 Regional Medical Center and North Arkansas Regional Medical Center.

Though healthcare systems will certainly benefit from both clinical placements and future therapists, Earls said the program鈥檚 impact goes beyond the field itself, transforming lives exponentially.

鈥淥ne of the things that excites me the most is that young people can come here, get a great associate degree, and have a well-paid, stable career for the rest of their lives. And they can stay in the area where they live and where they want to be with that career, too.鈥� Earls said. 鈥淭o be able to help shape and mold them into really, really great respiratory therapists, that鈥檚 exciting.鈥�

Construction is already underway in the program鈥檚 lab space, funded by a generous gift from the Windgate Foundation.

Earls brings more than a decade of respiratory care leadership experience in the River Valley, including roles at Mercy Hospital Fort Smith, Johnson Regional Medical Center, and Sparks Health System, now Baptist Health. She also served in interim hospital leadership roles through BE Smith, overseeing respiratory care, cardiopulmonary rehab, and specialty clinic operations across four hospitals.

In her most recent role at Mercy Hospital Fort Smith, Earls served as director of respiratory therapy, leading department operations, budgeting, staffing, and clinical supervision. She has also worked on compliance, equipment procurement, graduate recruitment, expanding the pulmonary function lab, and implementing a COPD navigation program.

She holds a master鈥檚 degree in management from the University of Illinois, a Bachelor of Education in human resources and workforce development from the University of Arkansas, and a respiratory therapy certificate from Black River Technical College.