Hollie Imburgia and Shannon Tison, Tacoma Community College respiratory therapy students, were ranked among the top 12 finalists for Johns Hopkins University Hospital’s neo-natal respiratory therapy summer internship program. TCC is the only school in the nation to have two students selected as finalists.

The Maryland university’s eight-week internship program is designed to expand respiratory therapy students’ awareness of the demand for respiratory care technicians in intensive care nurseries. Interns gain experience in the field and a chance to work at a leading research university.

Hundreds of students from across the country applied to the program. The application process required a statement of goals, a letter of recommendation, transcripts and a telephone interview.

Joe Dyer, internship program director, called Ken Lizzi, chair of TCC’s respiratory therapy program, and praised Imburgia’s and Tison’s knowledge and professional attitudes. Dyer expressed enthusiasm for working with TCC in the future, Lizzi said.

Imburgia and Tison were not among the four students selected for the internship partially because there are several neo-natal intensive care respiratory programs in TCC’s surrounding area. The two students are interning at area hospitals this summer and remain active in TCC’s Respiratory Care Club.