Contributing authors: Raquel Farache, Hannah Hart, Kellie Melo, Maria Nguyen, Jarod Paul, and Kathleen Olden-Powell

Intro

With the current global pandemic in full swing, RT Week at Michener looked very different this year. With most classes and labs having been moved online, RT Week activities followed suit.

Lab Door Decoration

One way the profession was promoted was by taping mini-posters to the front entrance of the building indicating words and ideas that are associated with Respiratory Therapists. The posters, created by Year 1 students Nidhi and Sarah had lungs and hearts on them and a line where students, faculty and Michener staff could write down words to describe an RT. Notable adjectives included life-saving, ambitious, brave, inspiring and heroic. All students, staff at Michener and pedestrians passing by on the street could peer into the windows and see what our profession is all about. This creative way of spreading our thoughts and sentiments brought us a feeling of togetherness even though we had to be physically apart.

Stethoscope Ceremony (Wednesday October 28th, 2020)

The momentous occasion of the 2nd years receiving their stethoscope was quite different this year, but the emotion and joy were still there. The online ceremony was organized by the Michener Respiratory Therapy professors with assistance from AV guru Tim and was broadcasted via Zoom, allowing students, their families and friends to participate from the comfort and safety of their home. Carole Hamp, the CRTO’s Deputy Registrar and Gino De Pinto, member of the RTSO’s Board of Directors provided inspiring comments about the importance of being a Professional and about participating in our Profession.

A new tradition was started this year with Year 2 student Kellie gathering and collating images to create a poster showing photos of the Year 2 students proudly wearing their stethoscopes around their neck. The poster remains displayed at the entrance of the Respiratory Therapy floor introducing visitors and our Year 1 students to the current 2nd Year class. The hope is to carry this tradition for many years to come as it is a major milestone within the program.

RT T-shirts

RT week was our first week on-site this autumn, having completed seven weeks of online learning. Finally back in labs, students were able to wear RT T-shirts. Students, staff and faculty around campus were able to recognize which program we were in based on our creative T-shirts. Students who purchased T-shirts this year from the RTSO did so knowing that a portion of the proceeds supported Feed Ontario, the parent organization of Ontario’s 130 food banks. During the pandemic we have become even more aware of those struggling to maintain food security.

Promo Video/Photos

An important aspect of RT Week is to promote the profession to the community. A second year student, Sousna Hanna, created a short animated video outlining the responsibilities of an RT that was shared through social media platforms. In addition, our students took pictures during labs simulating RT skills. These were submitted along with others taken by SRTs across Canada and compiled into a promotion video by Nicole Juen, the CSRT Student Director.

Virtual Halloween Trivia Night (Friday October 30th, 2020)

On October 30th, students from Michener participated in the RTSO’s Respookatory Trivia Night. Two teams from Michener competed against 14 other teams from across the province, answering trivia questions related to respiratory therapy for the chance to win amazing prizes. Overall, it was a great event and a great opportunity for students between schools to meet and have fun.

Donations

Due to restrictions this year, we were not able to host fundraisers to raise money for our annual charity of choice. However, we hoped to continue to make an effort. A jar was placed on our floor collecting cash donations throughout the week for Feed Ontario. Non-perishable food items were also accepted in support of the Michener Charity Committee’s food drive.

Mayoral Proclamation

For the third time in three years, Michener grad of 2020 Isabelle contacted the office of Mayor John Tory requesting that he Proclaim October 25-31 RT week in the City of Toronto. Isabelle’s request included a reminder to Mayor Tory of the important role RTs have played during the pandemic.

Other Celebrations and Recognition

We were very proud when Ontario’s Premier, the Hon. Doug Ford offered appreciation and recognition to respiratory therapists who have been working during the pandemic and drew attention to RT week and when his Minister of Health, the Hon. Christine Elliott stood in the House and acknowledged RT week as a point of order. While at a distance, we looked on with pride when Toronto’s iconic CN Tower was illuminated orange and purple in celebration of RT week and, following suit, Niagara Falls was also illuminated in recognition of the respiratory therapy profession. Each of these reminded us that our profession matters.

It wasn’t a normal RT Week but we found ways to enjoy it and to celebrate our profession. One of the happiest moments was finally welcoming our Year 1 students to the campus for the first time and welcoming back our Year 2 students after months away. Finally we were back in lab!

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