28 August ICC Respiratory Care Technology program selected as recipient of Distinguished RRT Credentialing Success award August 28, 2025 By Thomas, Donna S. General 0 Itawamba Community College’s Respiratory Care Technology program has been nationally recognized during a Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care awards dinner in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. recently. ICC is among a select group of programs and the only one in Mississippi that received the Distinguished RRT Credentialing Success Award, which is presented as part of the CoARC’s continued efforts to value the RRT credential as a standard of professional achievement. ICC’s program has the best pass rates in Mississippi. Program director Adam Denton of Saltillo said that from a program effectiveness perspective, the CoARC views the RRT credential as a measure of a program’s success in inspiring its graduates to achieve their highest educational and professional aspirations. “We are honored to be recognized with the CoARC Distinguished RRT Credentialing award,” Denton said. “This award validates the hard work of our respiratory therapy faculty and demonstrates the dedication of our graduates, who invest countless hours preparing for national board exams. This recognition reflects the commitment to excellence that ICC and the Health Science division consistently uphold. With this award, we are confident that ICC’s Respiratory Care program, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary, will continue to produce the best respiratory therapy students in Mississippi.” Denton also credited former Respiratory Care clinical director Beth Bowers of Oxford, who retired last spring, for the award. In selecting programs for the recognition, the CoARC Board used objective criteria based on key accreditation metrics documented in the 2024 Annual Report of Current Status. They included having three or more years of outcomes data; holding accreditation without a progress report at the end of the year; documenting RRT credentialing success of 90 percent or above and meeting or exceeding established CoARC thresholds for TMC high cut score and retention. “The CoARC extends its sincere congratulations to you, your faculty, students and graduates for meeting these rigorous criteria,” said Dr. Sarah Varekojis, CoARC president. “Thank you for your continued commitment to excellence in respiratory care education.” Respiratory Care is a two-year (five-semester) program at ICC. Graduates receive an Associate of Applied Science degree and are eligible to take the national credentialing exam to become a registered Respiratory Therapist. They apply scientific principles to prevent, identify and treat acute or chronic dysfunction of the cardiopulmonary system and primarily work in hospitals, critical care units, emergency rooms, pulmonary function labs, rehabilitation centers and home care settings. Program applications are due May 1. For more information, email healthsciences@iccms.edu. Related Articles Respiratory Care Technology program joins schools from across the nation in Oct. 22-28 celebration Itawamba Community College’s Respiratory Care Technology program is joining schools from across the nation in honoring and recognizing the invaluable contributions of respiratory therapists to patient care during a week designated in their honor. “Respiratory Care week is an outstanding opportunity to recognize the essential work and dedication of respiratory care professionals as well as to promote awareness for lung health,” said Adam Denton, program director. Additionally, it provides a platform for sharing the multifaceted impact of respiratory therapists from collaborating with executive leaders to serving as advocates for patients and engaging with local communities. ICC’s Respiratory Care is a two-year (five-semester) program. Graduates will receive an Associate of Applied Science degree and will be eligible to take the national credentialing exam to become a Registered Respiratory Therapist (Respiratory Care practitioner). “Respiratory Therapists apply scientific principles to prevent, identify and treat acute or chronic dysfunction of the cardiopulmonary system,” Denton said. “Their knowledge of the scientific principles underlying cardiopulmonary physiology and pathophysiology, as well as biomedical engineering and technology, enables them to effectively ... ICC's Sumerel selected PTK Distinguished College Administrator Award recipient Dr. Michelle Sumerel of Mooreville, vice president of instructional services at Itawamba Community College, has been selected as a recipient of the Distinguished College Administrator award presented by Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society. Sumerel is one of 28 college administrators who will be recognized during PTK Catalyst 2022, the society’s annual convention in Denver, Colo., Apr. 7-9. Sumerel has been vice president of Instructional Services at Itawamba Community College since Jan. 4, 2016, but a member of the ICC family since 2006. She has served as lead online instructor for sociology and criminal justice, director for the Law Enforcement Technology program, eLearning coordinator and dean of eLearning Instruction. Her educational background includes the bachelor’s degree from the University of North Alabama and the master’s and doctorate degrees from Mississippi State University. Sumerel is a member of several professional and civic organizations and is the recipient of multiple awards and recognitions. She is the author of two publications and presenter of numerous papers at conferences and meetings across the state, region and south. She is the mother of one son, Tyler. ... ICC students can take advantage of Mississippi Works Career-Tech Scholars Program Itawamba Community College students who enroll in one of 18 career education programs this fall can take advantage of a new scholarship program. The Mississippi Works Career-Tech Scholars Program, administered by the Mississippi Community College Board, has been established to serve as a state-assisted tuition scholarship program for eligible community and junior college students by providing tuition financial assistance to those who enroll in approved, in-demand Career Education certificate and Associate of Applied Science degree programs identified through sector analysis to meet the workforce demands of the state, according to Emily Tucker, ICC adviser and recruitment coordinator. Programs at ICC include Emergency Medical Tech-Paramedic, Health Information Technology, Occupational Therapy Assistant, Physical Therapist Assistant, Practical Nursing, Public Health Technology, Radiologic Technology, Respiratory Care Technology, Surgical Technology, Computer Networking Technology, Industrial Maintenance Technology, Precision Manufacturing and Machining Technology, Welding and Cutting Technology, Computer Programming Technology, Diesel Equipment Technology, Electrical Technology, Automotive Technology and Collision Repair Technology. To be eligible for the program, students must be legal residents of Mississippi, admitted to an approved Mississippi Works ... ICC's Public Health Technology program to join in national celebration with local events Itawamba Community College’s Public Health Technology program will join those in the profession in celebrating the week of April 1 as National Public Health Week. According to program director Cassie Alexander, the theme is “Protecting, Connecting and Thriving: We Are All Public Health.” She said the commemoration recognizes the contributions of public health in improving the physical condition of the people of the United States and for ICC’s Public Health Technology program, the residents of Mississippi, specifically those in Chickasaw, Itawamba, Lee, Monroe and Pontotoc counties; and achieving health equity. “Community health workers are the backbone of public health, bridging the gap between healthcare systems and the communities they serve, ensuring that no one is left behind in the pursuit of well-being and equity,” said Caroline Newkirk, ICC adjunct instructor and Evaluation Specialist with the Mississippi Public Health Institute. “ICC’s Public Health Technology program fills a critical gap in Mississippi by offering a curriculum that prepares its students exceptionally well with the knowledge and skills to be invaluable community health workers. In a state that is medically underserved, ... ICC's Public Health Technology program joins in Apr. 7-13 national celebration Itawamba Community College’s Public Health Technology program will join those in the profession in celebrating April 7-13 as National Public Health Week. According to program director Cassie Alexander, the theme is “It Starts Here.” She said the commemoration recognizes the contributions of public health in improving the physical condition of the people of the United States and for ICC’s nationally-recognized Public Health Technology program, the residents of Mississippi, specifically those in Chickasaw, Itawamba, Lee, Monroe and Pontotoc counties; and achieving health equity. “Public health starts with each of us making a difference in our homes and communities,” Alexander said in summarizing the information provided by the American Public Health Association. “It’s how the places we live, work and play affect our well-being. It’s the way we are all stronger – and healthier – together through the efforts of organizations like the APHA and others that advocate for healthy communities.” Alexander, who serves on the Mississippi State Department of Health Community Health Worker Taskforce, is excited about recent legislation that will help advance the educational and career opportunities for ... ICC signs preferred candidate program agreement with MHP; only community college in the state selected Itawamba Community College signed a Memorandum of Understanding for a Preferred Candidate Program with the Mississippi Highway Patrol, Jan. 26, at the Tupelo Campus. The initiative is a pilot program that will be implemented at ICC, the only community college in the state selected. “Itawamba Community College is more than excited about this partnership with the Mississippi Highway Patrol,” said ICC President Dr. Jay Allen. “According to research, having successfully completed a college degree substantially improves the knowledge and abilities of officers on a vast range of areas from the criminal justice system to conceptual and managerial skills.” The agreement will allow those who are enrolled to pursue either an A.A. or A.A.S. degree in ICC’s Criminal Justice program, meet with an MHP recruiter and apply for the MHP Preferred Candidate Program to skip weeks of the Mississippi Highway Patrol Academy. In order to graduate from the MHP Preferred Candidate Program, students must complete one or more semesters of the MHP Candidates on Rapid Entry curriculum, earn the associate’s degree from ICC, meet the C.O.R.E. Patrol School PT requirements ... 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