CONESTOGA COLLEGE
Respiratory Therapy professor receives national award for educational excellence

Conestoga Respiratory Therapy professor Tim LePage was honoured with a national award for excellence in education.

Respiratory Therapy professor Tim LePage was honoured with the Robert Merry Excellence in Education Award at the 2025 Canadian Society of Respiratory Therapists conference.

LePage was awarded the Robert Merry Excellence in Education Award at the 2025 Canadian Society of Respiratory Therapists conference held in Ottawa on May 10. LePage was unanimously selected by the society's board of directors in recognition of his innovative teaching methods, collaborative approach and deep commitment to student success.

"I am honoured to have received the 2025 Robert Merry Teaching Award from the Canadian Society of Respiratory Therapists. I feel privileged to work with the incredible Respiratory Therapy faculty and students at Conestoga," LePage said.

Gino De Pinto, program coordinator and professor, praised LePage's influence: "Students consistently commend Tim's empathetic and effective teaching style. Our program has been fortunate to benefit from his leadership and dedication, which have helped shape the careers of many successful graduates."

De Pinto added that the recognition further underscores the program's reputation for excellence and the exceptional mentorship that defines Conestoga's Respiratory Therapy advanced diploma program.

LePage's award follows Conestoga professor Pam Hall receiving the same honour in 2024.

Bela Ferreira, Allied Health & Life Sciences chair, commended LePage for his lasting impact on students and the profession.

"Tim exemplifies the spirit of this award through his dedication to student success and clinical excellence. His passion for teaching complex concepts, especially in the ventilator courses, translates into a learning environment where students not only understand the theory, but develop the confidence to apply it in critical care settings. Tim's commitment to his students and the profession truly embodies the values this award represents." 

Conestoga's 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 that 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.