CONESTOGA COLLEGE
Stethoscope ceremony celebrates achievements of Respiratory Therapy students

Students in Conestoga's Respiratory Therapy program celebrated their achievements and reaching an important learning milestone at the annual Stethoscope Ceremony.

Conestoga held its 18th annual Stethoscope Ceremony on April 1 at the Kitchener - Doon campus, when students in the final terms of the program beginning their clinical practicums with health-care partner sites throughout southern Ontario are presented with a stethoscope.

"This event marked a significant milestone for our students, celebrating the culmination of their hard work and dedication over the past four semesters. Our program is designed to prepare students for their eight-month work-integrated learning (WIL) clinical practicum, which takes place during semesters 5 and 6. This ceremony recognized their achievements in didactic learning, labs, and simulations," said Gino De Pinto, Respiratory Therapy program co-ordinator and professor.

The event was also an opportunity to honour program alumni and present awards to current students and recent graduates. The keynote speaker was Dan Chen, Conestoga Alumnus of Distinction and 2024 Premier's Award nominee, to share words of wisdom and encouragement for students starting their placements, and fellow alumni such as Jesse Haddock and Lyndsey Ross were also honoured.

"It was a wonderful occasion to celebrate with our respiratory therapy students, their families, alumni and esteemed guests," De Pinto said.

Award recipients:

* Canadian Society of Respiratory Therapists (CSRT) Student Excellence Award - Jasdeep Sandhu

* Sandhu was also awarded the Dr. Robert and Dianna Lee Career Advancement for Healthcare award

* Lu Zhang-Chen Opportunity Scholarship - Lauren Bearisto

* Respiratory Dynamics Award - Jenna Ostermann

* TD Award for Interprofessional Practice - Keera Bjelis

* ProResp Award for Clinical Excellence - Ashna Anis

* Ontario Home Respiratory Services Association Award - Maria Jose Gaiten Ruiz 

Walker Wood Foundations Respiratory Therapy Bursary

* Second-year winners: Megan Hibbs and Roshieka Russell

* First-year winners: Ghazala Ali, Nadine El Ashy and Kaia Toolsie.

The two co-presidents of the Conestoga Respiratory Therapy Federation, Ostermann and Bjelis, also spoke on behalf of their class. Students raised $440 during the semester and made a charitable donation to Lisaard & Innisfree Hospice, which provides residential hospice care in Waterloo Region.

Preceptors who guided students during their work-integrated learning placements were recognized with the Silver Stethoscope certificate. The ceremony ended with students reciting the Respiratory Therapy student oath before a faculty member presented them with their stethoscope.

Bela Ferreira, Allied Health & Life Sciences chair, shared the story of a challenging experience at the start of her professional career and how encouragement from faculty helped her to continue with a successful placement, which led to an invitation to apply for a job after her clinical rotations.

"There will be moments of doubt, fear, and uncertainty. But you are ready. You are supported. And you will grow through these experiences. Lean on your faculty, your preceptors, your classmates and your family. Clinical will have its tough days, but it will also bring moments that remind you exactly why you chose this profession. You will save lives, and you will make a difference. Celebrate the good days, and make sure you seek support on the tough ones."

The three-year Respiratory Therapy program is designed to satisfy the educational requirements to register as a Registered Respiratory Therapist and aligns curriculum with the National Competency Framework for Respiratory Therapy. Conestoga's program is nationally accredited by Accreditation Canada - EQual.

The School of Health & Life Sciences program has a diverse learning environment which uses classroom education, laboratory sessions, clinically immersive simulation, e-learning and early clinical exposure. The hands-on practical assessments are designed to prepare students for real-world expectations.