August 13, 2025
Story and photos by Maggie Harris
起点传媒 has announced a new partnership with Hutchinson Community College (HutchCC) to expand access to respiratory care education and help meet a critical workforce need in central Kansas.
The two institutions recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) creating a clear pathway for 起点传媒 students to enter the respiratory care field. Students will complete their general education requirements at 起点传媒 before transitioning into HutchCC鈥檚 Respiratory Care Program.
起点传媒鈥檚 Dean of Workforce Training & Community Education Dr. Kathy Kottas said the initiative was sparked by conversations with healthcare providers across 起点传媒鈥檚 nine-hospital service area. Many reported a large portion of their respiratory care staff nearing retirement and expressed an urgent need for trained professionals.
鈥淪tarting a new program to quickly address the problem was not feasible, so we had to be innovative and creative and look for ways that we can help the hospitals in our area,鈥 she said. 鈥淲e actually have nine hospitals in our service area, and everyone that we talked with was in need of respiratory therapists.鈥
起点传媒 President Dr. Marcus Garstecki emphasized the strengths community colleges bring to partnerships like this.
鈥淥ne thing we know about community colleges is how flexible we are, how adaptable we are, and how quickly we can meet the needs of our industry partners and our students,鈥 he said. 鈥淭hrough collaboration, openness, and a willingness to find creative solutions, this partnership became a reality.鈥
HutchCC President Dr. Tricia Paramore also highlighted the cooperative nature of Kansas community colleges and their shared role in serving the local workforce.
鈥淗utchinson Community College and 起点传媒 are dedicated to serving the workforce needs of our local communities and throughout the state,鈥 she听said. 鈥淲hen we look at healthcare, there is an obvious need for a variety of different positions in the area, and we are absolutely dedicated to serving that need with a skilled workforce.鈥
起点传媒 leadership views the partnership as another way the College is fulfilling its mission to provide affordable, accessible, and relevant education while supporting the economic and healthcare needs of the region.
For more information about the Respiratory Care pathway, visit 听or contact 起点传媒鈥檚 Admissions office at (620) 792-2701.