Breathing Easier

 

Breathing Easier - Lisa TrujilloIn the African country of Ghana, where asthma, emphysema and pulmonary disease are widespread, respiratory therapy training is badly needed. For 10+ years, WSU associate respiratory therapy professor Lisa Trujillo AAS ’98, AS ’00, BS ’00 has been helping the University of Ghana implement its first Bachelor of Science in Respiratory Therapy program. In the fall of 2016, she proudly watched an inaugural cohort of eight students begin courses at the University of Ghana to become licensed respiratory therapists in their home country.

It is the first program of its kind in Ghana and, to Trujillo’s knowledge, the first of its kind in Africa.

For her efforts in helping implement the degree program, Trujillo received the International Council for Respiratory Care’s Toshihiko Koga, MD International Medal. The honor recognizes an individual for excellence in promoting the globalization of quality respiratory care. 

“Receiving the medal was very humbling,” Trujillo said. “It’s an award that absolutely needs to be shared. The bachelor’s degree program in Ghana was the result of the work of many, many people. I just happened to walk through doors that led me to opportunities, and those opportunities grew and grew and grew.”