By Kate Hunger, freelance writer


Araceli Solis remembers how good it felt to have a job offer in hand before graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Respiratory Care from the UT Health Science Center at San Antonio in 2000.

“I felt very prepared to take our credentialing exams and to start my career,” Solis said of the education and training she received. “They expose you to all patient populations, so whether you want to work with adults, or pediatrics or babies, you are prepared in all areas,” said Solis, now program director for respiratory care at Collin College in McKinney, Texas.      

Solis was one of two alumni recognized Oct. 16 by the Department of Respiratory Care at an alumni student event. The recognition comes as the Respiratory Care program marks the 20th anniversary of its inaugural class, said De De Gardner, chair of the Department of Health Sciences and the Steven Lloyd Barshop Endowed Chair in Respiratory Care.

Also recognized was Armando Morales, who earned a Bachelor of Science in Respiratory Care in 2003. He is the senior respiratory therapy director—west region for LifeCare Management Services, as well as director of respiratory services for LifeCare Hospital of San Antonio.

Gardner praised Solis and Morales for their professional accomplishments and their commitment to the education and training of students entering the field.

The alumni student event coincided with The American Association for Respiratory Care International Congress, which was in San Antonio Oct. 15-18. Two graduates and two current students of the Respiratory Care program presented abstracts at the congress, which 88 students registered to attend, Gardner said.