The Midwestern State University Respiratory program, in the new Centennial Hall, has enjoyed the use of much new equipment in the 2019-20 school year.

With the University's recent transition to online/remote learning in response to the Coronavirus (COVID-19), much of the latest technology acquired to simulate a medical facility is sitting idle. That includes two new ventilators, which are now on loan to United Regional in case they are needed to help with patients.

 “It was a great opportunity to help out United Regional and our community,” said Jennifer Anderson, Respiratory Care Program Chair and Assistant Professor at MSU. “If they need them, then they will have extra ventilators, which could possibly save someone’s life. And that’s what we're in this field for.”

Although United Regional does not have an immediate need, they want to be prepared for a potential surge.

Teamwork was on display to make this project work smoothly. Bob Pert United Regional, CFO; James Johnston, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs; and Jeff Killion, Dean of the Gunn College of Health Science and Human Services, worked on the initial coordination of the plan. Anderson; Erica Judie, Assistant Professor at MSU; Darrin French, Director of Respiratory Care Services, Neurodiagnostics, and Pulmonary Rehab at UR; and Jeff Holdren, Biomed Technician, worked out the details and transportation of the ventilators.

MSU's Respiratory Care program also donated much-needed N95 masks, surgical masks, isolation gowns, and bacterial filters to assist the local health care facility.

MSU Texas and UR enjoy a long partnership that was strengthened with the United Regional Interprofessional Educational Suite in the new Centennial Hall building. Many graduates from MSU Texas join United Regional.

“The Respiratory Care program is very proud of the MSU Texas graduates who are working hard in the frontlines to fight this battle,” Anderson said. “Respiratory therapists are specifically trained to care for patients with pulmonary disorders. It is the respiratory therapist that manages the mechanical ventilators so desperately needed by many COVID-19 patients.”