LIBERAL, Kan. – The Seward County Community College Respiratory Care program has received two ventilators from Kearny County Hospital, further strengthening an impactful partnership between the two institutions.

The hospital, located in Lakin, Kan., donated the ventilators, which were previously used during the COVID-19 pandemic. As the facility expanded and upgraded its equipment, the machines were no longer in regular use—prompting leaders to find a meaningful way to repurpose them.

“As the hospital census started to grow, we acquired more ventilators to keep up with increased patient demand,” said Jade Carabajal-Richter, Cardiopulmonary Supervisor, Kearny County Hospital. “The ventilators we’re donating were no longer applicable for use at our facility so we began asking what we should do with them. We thought it would be a great opportunity to give back to a program that has given so much. We reached out, and they were on board right away.”

Carabajal-Richter noted a personal connection to the program.

“I went to school here from 2003 to 2005 with (former SCCC respiratory care instructors) Ken (Killion) and Ed (Anderson) —they helped shape my career,” she said. “Being able to give back in this way is very meaningful.”

The connection also includes Erica Novack, who is a respiratory therapist at the hospital, a SCCC graduate as well.

The donation will provide students in the Respiratory Care program with enhanced, hands-on training opportunities using critical, real-world medical equipment. Ventilators play a vital role in patient care, and access to this technology ensures students are better prepared to meet the demands of today’s healthcare environment.

“We really appreciate the donation,” said Janae Zachary, Director of Respiratory Care, SCCC. “It’s a huge expense to the program. Ventilators can cost up to $20,000. “We’re happy to take them.”

The collaboration between Kearny County Hospital and SCCC has long been an asset to both organizations. SCCC students regularly complete clinical rotations at the hospital, gaining firsthand experience while contributing to patient care in the community.

“We’ve been working with (Kearny County Hospital) as a clinical site since I’ve been here in 2016,” Zachary said. “(Kearny County Hospital is a 25-bed Critical Access Hospital). It’s good for the students to see all different sizes of hospitals.”