Students from the Boise State Health Professions Living Learning Community (HP LLC) led by Samantha Davis, clinical assistant professor for the Department of Respiratory Care, had the unique opportunity to step inside an Air St. Luke’s Maternal-Child Transport Ambulance and meet Shandi Asher, registered respiratory therapist for Air St. Luke’s, on Tuesday, February 19.
Air St. Luke’s is a comprehensive medical transport program that is equipped with numerous transportation methods that are designed as mobile critical care units with advanced lifesaving equipment and technology. With their team and equipment, Air St. Luke’s is able to serve Southern Idaho, Eastern Oregon and Northern Nevada.
Students were able to gain insight on how Asher and other medical staff travel by ambulances, helicopters, and even airplane to tend to emergencies for newborns, pregnant women, and children. Asher shared experiences, training obligations, and key tips on what a career as an Air St. Luke’s respiratory therapist entails.
To further understand the practices and equipment used by medical staff, students were able to tour an Air St. Luke’s Maternal-Child Transport ambulance and envision how a stretcher, mobile incubator, and other devices are used in medical emergencies. Students also learned which circumstances require a different mode of transportation and which patient conditions require certain medical devices, presented in the ambulance tour.
“Through strong community partnerships, such as with St. Luke’s Health System, we are able to connect our first-year health professions students with working practitioners to explore career options in healthcare,” said Davis. “With the support of college leadership, we are able to provide dedicated in-community tutoring and mentoring so HP LLC residents are well-prepared for our competitive-entry programs. Living Learning Communities are the hidden gems of Boise State University.”
The HP LLC allows students the opportunity to live and connect with other students who are taking the same classes as they investigate different health-related career opportunities. Students are able to build a supportive and caring community while they collectively explore different career options in healthcare and public health through a wide variety of activities that connect students with classes, campus, and community.
Learn More about Air St. Luke’s and the Boise State Health Professions Living Learning Community.
-By Taylor Music