For Immediate Release

Mercy Memorial Announces Rose State Respiratory Therapy Graduates

Ardmore — Across the country, hospitals are seeking qualified candidates to fill open healthcare positions: nurses, radiology technicians, physical therapists and respiratory therapists, to name a few.

In 2006, Mercy Memorial Health Center’s cardiopulmonary department recognized the need to bring respiratory therapists to Ardmore and partnered with Rose State College in Midwest City to offer extension classes for their respiratory therapist program. The first three students of this program graduated this May.

“Building a relationship with Rose State College has proved to be very beneficial,” said J.P. Edgar, BS, RRT, Mercy Memorial cardiopulmonary manager. “Our first class of students graduated, and we are very proud of them.”

The extension classes are held on Mercy Memorial’s campus through the use of video conferencing equipment purchased with a grant given by the Southern Oklahoma Memorial Foundation.

“A dedicated classroom and computers are available to the students, providing them with a classroom atmosphere right here in Ardmore,” said Lisa Ferguson, AS, RRT, Mercy Memorial respiratory therapist and clinical instructor. “The students participate in class through video conferencing equipment and gain clinical experience at Mercy Memorial.”

Graduates of the first class were: Ashley Guilliani, Ardmore, Tracy Moyer, Ardmore, and Lori Tynes, Wilson. Six students are enrolled for the fall 2007 class.

For information about the respiratory therapist program, call Edgar at (580) 220-6313.

Press release dated: May 31, 2007