Respiratory therapy plays a critical role in healthcare by helping people breathe — something most take for granted until it becomes difficult. From managing chronic lung diseases to providing life-saving care in emergencies, respiratory therapists (RTs) are essential to patient survival and quality of life.

“What RTs do is a matter of life and breath,” said Randy Solly, a Professor of Practice in Gwynedd Mercy University’s Frances M. Maguire College of Nursing and Health Professions and the Program Coordinator of the Respiratory Care Program.

GMercyU is widely regarded as one of the leading schools for respiratory therapy. Its Respiratory Care Program, now in its 45th year, has a long and celebrated history of preparing competent, caring, and compassionate RTs.

In 2023, GMercyU was one of just 11 schools out of 400-plus throughout the nation to receive the American Association for Respiratory Care’s APEX Award. It was also the only school in the Philadelphia area recognized with the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care’s President’s Award for Excellence in Credentialing Success. Since 2016, the program has had a 100 percent pass rate on both the Certified Respiratory Therapist exam and the Registered Respiratory Therapist exam.

“Our graduates work in every healthcare system in Greater Philadelphia,” said Solly. “Our students are often recruited and offered signing bonuses and other compelling incentives.”

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of RTs is projected to grow 13 percent from now through 2033 — a rate much faster than the average for all occupations. GMercyU’s Associate Degree in Respiratory Therapy can be attained in just three years and provides a quick path to professional competency as an RT. Students can also choose the 3+1 model, with the first three years representing the Associate Degree and the final year being a degree completion culminating in the Bachelor of Health Science Degree.

“There’s a huge demand for RTs right now,” said Solly. “It’s a rewarding profession and pays well, between $40 and $50 an hour.”

Not long ago, RTs were an often-overlooked part of the healthcare system. Now, after the COVID-19 pandemic, they’re viewed as the lifesavers that they are.

When the virus began to attack the lungs and cause severe breathing difficulties, RTs found themselves on the frontlines of a global crisis. Their expertise in managing ventilators, oxygen therapy, and critical care interventions made them heroes.

“Not a lot of people knew what an RT was or what we do, but COVID brought us to the forefront,” said Solly. “We immediately became recognized by the general public.”

In addition to providing specialized pulmonary care, managing mechanically ventilated patients, and customizing treatment plans for patients, RTs focus on providing education to help patients manage their conditions, administer their medications, recognize symptoms of distress, and help keep them out of the hospital.

As a Catholic university rooted in the values of the Sisters of Mercy, GMercyU emphasizes the importance of compassion in healthcare and trains future healthcare providers to blend clinical excellence with genuine human connection.

“Disease doesn’t discriminate on gender, skin color, or where you live,” said Solly. “We see patients from all different cultures, and we do simulations where we try to open the students’ minds to the entirety of what patients are experiencing. When patients are in the hospital, we’re often seeing them on their worst days, and part of helping them feel better is comforting them and reassuring them. True healing goes beyond treating symptoms; it requires understanding, empathy, and respect for each patient’s dignity and unique experience.”

Learn more about how Gwynedd Mercy University prepares students for successful careers and meaningful lives in a global society.