According to the U.S. Department of Labor:

•    Respiratory care is one of the fastest-growing occupations in the United States and, as with many other health care fields, is facing a critical shortage of qualified personnel.

•    Respiratory therapists earn a median annual salary of $43,140, according to May, 2004, statistics.

The School of Nursing and Allied Health, located at Clarion University–Venango Campus, is growing to meet the health care workforce needs in the region and beyond.

Through the development and expansion of partnerships with regional health care providers such as UPMC Northwest in Seneca and UPMC Horizon, with hospitals in Greenville and Shenango Valley, the university developed a new Associate of Science in Respiratory Care degree program, which will begin in Fall 2006.

“There is a significant shortage of qualified respiratory therapists across the country and particularly in Pennsylvania,” said Neil Todhunter, President of UPMC Northwest. “We’re excited to be expanding our long-standing record of successful collaboration with Clarion University to jointly develop a high-quality respiratory therapy program to help address this need.”

The 24-month program includes science and liberal arts courses at Clarion University–Venango Campus and a 14-month course of technical education in respiratory care at affiliated clinical sites. Upon successful completion of the respiratory care program, students are awarded the Associate of Science in Respiratory Care degree from Clarion University and are eligible to sit for the Written Registry Examination and Clinical Simulation Examination administered by the National Board for Respiratory Care.

Clarion University recently restructured its School of Nursing, housed at Venango Campus, in response to a nationwide nursing shortage and a high demand for trained health care professionals in the local and regional area. The reorganization created the School of Nursing and Allied Health, which includes a Department of Nursing, academic home to the university’s associate, bachelor and master’s degree programs in nursing, and a new Department of Allied Health, which includes an associate of science in allied health and a bachelor of science in radiologic sciences degree, in addition to the (DELETE anticipated) new respiratory care degree.

“The reorganization provides a framework to support the school’s continued development and to respond to new opportunities that meet community, regional, and national needs in the areas of nursing and allied health,” said Clarion University President Dr. Joseph P. Grunenwald. “Since 1998, nursing enrollment has grown dramatically and the school has developed many new programs and collaborations that have led to its statewide reputation for excellence and partnerships.”

Clarion’s School of Nursing and Allied Health has one of the largest nursing and allied health-related enrollments of any of the 14 universities in the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education.

There are more than 500 students enrolled in the school’s programs at the Venango Campus and five additional sites throughout the region, a growth of more than 65 percent from 1998 enrollment levels. Under the new framework, it is projected the school could increase by an additional 40 percent, or 200 students, over the next five years.

Renee C. Smith-Schaffer is chair of the Department of Allied Health. Smith-Schaffer came to her new position from Ohio Valley General Hospital in McKees Rocks, where she directed the School of Radiography.

She began her clinical training at Armstrong County Memorial Hospital School of Radiologic Technology in Kittanning, where she was awarded the D.W. Minteer Award for Academic Excellence. She earned her bachelor’s degree in radiologic science from LaRoche College and her master’s degree in health science from Slippery Rock University.

Professor Smith-Schaffer is a member of the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists, the American Society of Radiologic Technologists, the Tri-State Educators in Radiologic Technology, the Association of Collegiate Educators in Radiologic Technology and the Association of Educators in Radiologic Science.

“Clarion University–Venango Campus is committed to creating programs to meet the workforce development needs of the region and beyond,” said Dr. Christopher M. Reber, executive dean of Clarion University–Venango Campus. “Renee Smith-Schaffer brings valuable experience as an educator and clinician and she has worked closely with our valued partners at UPMC to develop the respiratory care program to face a critical need.”

Clarion University−Venango Campus, located in Oil City, Pa., is the oldest regional campus in Pennsylvania’s State System of Higher Education. The campus provides high-quality educational programs and personalized services to help students succeed. Students can earn associate, bachelor or master’s degrees in select areas, obtain a one-year certificate or participate in a variety of professional development and personal enrichment courses. In addition to the School of Nursing and Allied Health it is home to Clarion University’s Department of Applied Technology.

Since 1998, the school has:

•   begun delivery of a Bachelor of Science in Nursing program to Lock Haven University at the Clearfield campus via interactive television in 1998;

•   added a Bachelor of Science in Radiologic Sciences program in 1999;

•   become the academic home for the Associate of Science in Allied Health program in 1999;

•   begun delivery of the Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) program to Meadville Medical Center and UPMC Northwest employees in 2000;

•   expanded the Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program, a joint program offered in partnership with Slippery Rock and Edinboro Universities of Pennsylvania, and started a cohort of ASN students for UPMC Northwest in 2001;

•   enhanced online capabilities for both the MSN and Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) programs in 2001;

•   added an RN (registered nurse) to MSN program and delivery of the MSN program to Warren, in 2002;

•   developed an online BSN program in 2004, and

•   developed post-master’s degree certificate programs for nursing education and family practitioner students.