The criteria for selection to receive this award are rigorous and objective. CoARC uses key accreditation metrics which are documented in the 2019 Annual report of Current Status (RCS).

Honored programs are required to:

• Have 3 or more years of outcomes data
• Hold accreditation without a progress report
• Document RRT credentialing success of 90% or above
• Meet or exceed established CoARC thresholds for CRT credentialing success and retention

NVCC's success rate for the Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) credential is 91%. 

The Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRT) credentialing success is 100% with a retention rate of 83%.

This data is over the last 3-year accreditation reporting period - 2016, 2017, 2018.

Commenting on the award as recognition for NVCC’s continued commitment to excellence in respiratory education, Naugatuck Valley Community College President Daisy Cocco De Filippis, Ph.D. noted. “This is a very timely recognition, underscoring the professionalism and preparation our students learn from our faculty as the work of respiratory care therapists has been so important to the COVID-19 pandemic healthcare efforts.  NVCC truly makes a difference in our communities. I applaud our faculty, students and alumni for their exemplary work and their dedication to the health and well-being of our state and beyond.”

Margaret Guerrera, RRT, MS; Program Director Respiratory Care at Naugatuck Valley Community College and President of the Connecticut Society for Respiratory Care summarized. “This is the third year in a row that NVCC has received the award.  The Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) credential is the highest level of credential for a Respiratory Therapist; it is higher than the CRT (Certified Respiratory Therapist) credential.  The CRT credential is necessary to obtain a license to practice in Connecticut.  The RRT requires that our graduates take and pass the CRT exam at a higher score and then take and pass a second examination called the clinical simulation exam.  Graduates don't need the higher-level credential to practice in most US states. The fact that the majority of our graduates pursue and obtain the credential speaks to the quality of the education they receive at NVCC and it speaks to our graduates’ initiative to pursue the credential.  In addition, employers prefer to hire registered respiratory therapists.”

Lisa Dresdner, Ph.D., Dean of Academic Affairs recognized the leadership and commitment that characterize the Respiratory Care program at NVCC. “Under the strong leadership of Margaret Guerrera, Director of the Respiratory Care Program, NVCC's Respiratory Care students consistently achieve a 100% pass rate on the CRT credentialing exam. In addition to graduating students who enter the workforce immediately in a field that has become increasingly important to our society, Ms. Guererra and Susan Anderson (Director of Clinical Education) model civic engagement and community outreach in a variety of ways, including over the past year visiting allied health students at Waterbury Career Academy and, along with their students, coordinating an asthma program for students at Waterbury's Driggs Elementary School. We're very proud of the excellent work Ms. Guerrera and Ms. Anderson do to ensure we have skilled and compassionate health care workers in our community.”