UC Clermont respiratory care students win state competition

UC Clermont College Respiratory Care students recently took first place in Ohio’s Sputum Bowl, held at the Annual Meeting for the Ohio Society for Respiratory Care in Columbus Aug. 12.

UC Clermont’s team competed against colleges from across the state of Ohio, answering questions that covered their academic and clinical knowledge, such as respiratory care treatments and life support interventions. The UC Clermont team consisted of Dan Oelker, Jacob Gilman, David Fellure and Mauresha Phillips.

Their advisor and coach is Michael Mullarkey, an associate professor, who also serves as academic coordinator for the college’s Respiratory Care program. The team’s other faculty coach is assistant professor Jodi Kaminski.

This year marks the fourth time a UC Clermont team has won the Sputum Bowl. The college also took first place in 2007, 2011 and 2017. Winning the state competition awards the team $1,000 to travel and compete in the American Association for Respiratory Care National Championship taking place in New Orleans in November.

“This team has the dedication and drive required to the master a large body of scientific and medical knowledge” Mullarkey said. “They function well as a team with each member providing different areas of expertise.”  

Respiratory care is the evaluation, treatment and care of patients with breathing or cardiopulmonary disorders. Practicing under the direction of a physician, respiratory therapists assume primary responsibility for all therapeutic treatments and diagnostic procedures. Respiratory therapists also provide complex therapy requiring considerable independent judgment, such as caring for patients on life support in intensive-care units of hospitals.

For more information about the program contact Michael Mullarkey at (513) 732-5298 or visit the website. Respiratory Care information session will be held Wednesday, Nov. 13, 3-4 p.m. on campus, and you can RSVP here.