NEWBERRY, SC (courtesy newberry.edu) — Newberry College has launched an online degree-completion program for students seeking to complete a Bachelor of Science degree in Respiratory Therapy. In addition, Dr. Jerry Alewine, a highly qualified and well-respected educator and industry professional, has joined the College to lead the new program.
Coincidentally, the announcement of new BSRT program coincides with national Respiratory Care Week (Oct. 22-28, 2017), an event that raises awareness for improving lung health around the world.
“The American Association for Respiratory Care has said they would like 80 percent of practicing respiratory therapists to have earned a bachelor degree or be enrolled in a bachelor’s program by 2020,” Alewine said. “The demand for a bachelor degree program in Respiratory Therapy is essential for the practitioners of South Carolina. Newberry College is in a unique position to help respiratory therapists achieve this credential.”
Newberry’s Bachelor of Science in Respiratory Therapy program is designed for licensed respiratory therapists who want to complete their baccalaureate degree. The 12-month program is offered entirely online with each course 7.5 weeks in duration. Classes for the inaugural Respiratory Therapy program begin on Jan. 10, 2018; the registration deadline is Jan. 3, 2018. Prospective students can learn more about Newberry’s online programs at www.newberry.edu/academics.
Dr. Jerry Alewine joined Newberry College in July 2017 as chair of the newly formed Department of Respiratory Therapy was responsible for developing the curriculum for the program. He is also focused on outreach to Respiratory Therapy programs at South Carolina technical colleges and to industry associations to raise awareness for the new program.
“Newberry College is very fortunate to have someone with Dr. Alewine’s knowledge, skills and leadership abilities leading our new Department of Respiratory Therapy,” said Dr. Timothy Elston, vice president of Academic Affairs. “He is a dedicated professional with a proven track record of success as an educator and healthcare practitioner.”
Alewine comes to Newberry College from Piedmont Technical College in Greenwood, S.C., where he served as dean of the Division of Health Science (2008-2017) and previously served as Piedmont’s director of Clinical Education for Respiratory Care (2001-2008).
Alewine’s experience also includes more than two decades working as a Respiratory Therapist. He worked at Self Regional HealthCare (1998-2001), where he was adult care supervisor, and at Providence Heart Center (1995-1998), where he was department supervisor.
Alewine served as president of the South Carolina Technical Education Association (2015) and was a 2006 recipient of the Piedmont Technical College Presidential Medallion. He is active in the healthcare industry having served as president of the South Carolina Society for Respiratory Care in 2013. He was recognized for his efforts with the DHEC Maternal and Neonatal Champion Award (2004) and was named the South Carolina Practitioner of the Year by the South Carolina Society for Respiratory Care in 2006.
Alewine earned his Doctor of Education degree from Argosy University and his M.Ed. from American Intercontinental University. He received his B.A degree from the University of South Carolina and his A.S. degree from Piedmont Technical College.
In August 2017, Newberry College launched its first online degree completion program with an RN-to-BSN program designed to help licensed nurses earn their bachelor of science degrees. In January 2018, Newberry will launch the degree-completion program in Respiratory Therapy along with a Psychology degree-completion program. The College has plans to launch programs in Healthcare Management, Criminal Justice and Business Administration during the 2018-19 academic year.
“I look forward to strengthening the College’s relationships with Respiratory Therapy programs in our technical college system,” Alewine said. “Our degree-completion program will provide an important stepping stone to respiratory therapy professionals to advance their careers and add depth and breadth to their industry knowledge.”
For more information about the Bachelor of Science in Respiratory Therapy degree, contact department chair Dr. Jerry Alewine at jerry.alewine@newberry.edu, 803.321.3320, or visit the Online Programs webpage at www.newberry.edu/academics.