Thanks to a local connection, Andrew College is now the proud recipient of professional Flotec regulators. This equipment will be used in the newly developed Respiratory Therapy program, now accepting students for Fall 2019 enrollment.

When Brian Davidson and wife, Betsy (Curry) heard through Andrew College Academic Dean Karan Pittman that the college was establishing the new Respiratory Therapy program, they offered assistance. The Davidsons, who reside in Indiana, regularly visit the area. Betsy, who grew up in Shellman, serves on the Board of Directors of First State Bank of Randolph County. Brian’s company, Flotec, Inc. is in its 35th year of manufacturing medical gas regulators, flow control valves and related devices for hospitals and emergency medical services.

Betsy Davidson remarked, “We were excited to hear about Andrew’s new program and what this will mean to Andrew College students and the citizens of Southwest Georgia. Respiratory Therapists are in short supply and badly needed in the area.”

Davidson said that Andrew College is an important part of the community and that she and Brian were delighted that they were able to visit the campus and present the equipment directly to Katie Brown, program director for respiratory therapy.  

The development of the new program came out of conversations with area community leaders, external stakeholders and health care leaders who identified a serious shortage of respiratory therapists in the area.

Brown said she is working with area hospitals for collaborative works and internship opportunities which will be offered to Andrew’s respiratory therapy students. She is also working on the program accreditation process with the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care.

Upon graduation and earning the credentials of Registered Respiratory Therapist, students can choose many different career paths. A few of the options available are to work at area hospitals in adult intensive care units, neonatal intensive care units, allergy and asthma clinics, emergency departments, or continue their education towards a bachelor’s degree.