
Polk State Respiratory Care celebrates another stellar year

Program Director Shana Kent-Smith calls Polk State College’s Respiratory Care Program one of the College’s best-kept secrets, but it is getting plenty of attention nationally and statewide. The Respiratory Care Program is coming off what…

Single mom motivated by her son to complete Polk State Respiratory degree

Aleyah Watkins was back in class just 10 days after giving birth to her son. She was a manager at Chuck E. Cheese when motherhood inspired her to seek higher education and a rewarding career.…

Student is graduating debt-free thanks to affordability and support at Polk State

Jena’ Kelley will be the first in her family to graduate with a college degree and she’s doing it debt free. Kelley graduated high school in 2018 and applied to Polk State College because it…

Polk State Respiratory Care application open April 1 – May 31

The application for Polk State College’s Respiratory Care Program will be open from April 1 through May 31 for the 2023-2024 Academic Year. The Associate in Science in Respiratory Care prepares students to become highly skilled…

Polk State & Lakeland Regional connect students to employment opportunities

Lakeland Regional Health hosted its inaugural Polk State College Night in February for Health Sciences students to get a firsthand look at the hospital’s different departments, network with hiring managers and employees, and learn about…

5 questions with Beth Luckett: From Polk State Radiography to Director of Health Sciences

Beth Luckett has a new role at the College, but she is no stranger to Polk State, serving the Health Sciences programs for more than 20 years. A proud graduate of the Radiography Program at…

Polk State Respiratory Care application open April 1 – May 15

The application for Polk State College’s Respiratory Care Program will be open April 1 through May 15 for the 2022-2023 Academic Year. The Associate in Science in Respiratory Care prepares students to become highly skilled…

Polk State Respiratory alum returns as Clinical Education Coordinator to train future RTs

Jordan Emro is a proud alum of Polk State College’s Respiratory Care Program and enjoyed nearly a decade working in the clinical setting before she felt called to return to the College full time. Emro…

Polk State Foundation lightens load for hardworking Respiratory Care student

Shaledra Turner’s busy schedule includes a full-time course load as a Polk State Respiratory Care student, early morning clinicals, and working weekends and nights in emergency medical services on a private ambulance. She admits that…

Polk State Respiratory Care receives Distinguished Registered Respiratory Therapist Credentialing Success Award

For the sixth consecutive year, Polk State College’s Respiratory Care Program has received the Distinguished Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) Credentialing Success Award from the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC), highlighting the program’s accomplishments…