Tri-County Technical College's Respiratory Care Classes Begin August 21

CONTACT: TOM BAXTER, EXT. 2243

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 8/11/2000
(By Lisa Garrett)

PENDLETON --- Training for respiratory care, one of the fastest growing professions in the United States, is coming to Tri-County Technical College this fall.

Tom Baxter, of Powdersville, who has 30 years of experience as a teacher and respiratory care therapist, will lead the associate degree Respiratory Care program that prepares students to take care of patients with cardiac or respiratory diseases in hospitals, nursing homes, private homes and doctor's offices. Fall semester classes begin August 21.

"There is a tremendous demand for respiratory care practitioners," said Mr. Baxter, who recently moved back to the area from Indiana, where he was assistant professor of respiratory care at the University of Southern Indiana for two years. "Area hospitals are just waiting for graduates. This isn't a geographic dilemma. There is a shortage of health care personnel nationwide," said Mr. Baxter. "Tri-County Technical College is opening an avenue of education for respiratory care in the three-county area."

In January, the U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics projected employment of respiratory therapists to increase faster than the average of all occupations through the year 2006. Respiratory care is listed as one of the fastest growing professions, he added. The need for respiratory therapists is expected to increase 42.6 percent from 1998 - 2006.

Persons interested in applying for the program should contact Mr. Baxter at the College at Ext. 2243. Applicants need a strong math and science background. "We'll work quickly with applicants to assess their qualifications," he said.

Mr. Baxter entered the profession 30 years ago after graduating from high school in Maysville, Kentucky. His diverse background began working as an on-the-job trainee in inhalation therapy in 1970. He continued this part-time job through junior college studies at Maysville Community College in Kentucky.

After earning his associate in arts degree, he went to Greenville Technical College where he earned an A.A.S. degree in respiratory therapy in 1975.
He also holds a B.S. in administrative management from the University of Cincinnati and a master's in human resource development from Clemson University.

In 1975 he and his family moved back to Kentucky where he was employed as the evening shift supervisor at the Medical Center. He worked as a supervisor until the opportunity to become department head in an Ohio hospital became available.

He began teaching 19 years ago at the College of Mt. St. Joseph in Ohio. From 1990 – 97, he taught, and eventually became the department head for, Respiratory Care at Greenville Technical College. He was named the College's outstanding instructor in 1996.

"I love working with students and seeing them develop into therapists. It's invigorating to see a new group of enthusiastic students enter the program. It keeps me challenged to stay abreast of the changes in my profession," he said. Mr. Baxter serves as a site visitor for the accrediting agency, the Committee on Accreditation for Respiratory Care, and keeps up to date with accreditation standards. He also serves on the Long-Range Planning Committee of the education section of the American Association of Respiratory Care.

He says he's happy to move back home. "We have family in the area, and when the opportunity arose for us (he and his wife, Rose) to come back, it was a very easy transition back to South Carolina. We love it here."
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