The collaboration aims to address the regional shortage of respiratory therapists and strengthen the healthcare workforce pipeline in Erie, Pennsylvania.
RT’s Three Key Takeaways:
- Program Reinstatement: Mercyhurst University will resume its respiratory therapy program through a partnership with UPMC after initially planning to discontinue the curriculum.
- Workforce Development: The partnership focuses on building a local pipeline of skilled professionals to meet the increasing demand for specialized cardiopulmonary care in the region.
- Recruitment Incentives: To attract new talent, UPMC is offering sign-on bonuses of up to $20,000 for eligible therapists and has implemented organization-wide wage increases.
Mercyhurst University will reinstate its respiratory therapy degree program through a new partnership with the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC), according to Mercyhurst.
The partnership combines Mercyhurst’s academic faculty and health sciences education with UPMC Hamot’s role as a regional healthcare provider and employer. The university previously announced that respiratory therapy was among the programs to be discontinued, but subsequent discussions with UPMC focused on the importance of the profession to the regional healthcare system.
“Respiratory therapists play an essential role in patient care, and our region needs talented professionals entering this field,” said David J Livingston, president of Mercyhurst University. “This partnership allows Mercyhurst to continue doing what it does exceptionally well—educating students through strong academic programs and outstanding faculty—while responding directly to an important workforce need in our community.”
Respiratory therapists provide specialized care to patients with breathing and cardiopulmonary conditions. These professionals work across various clinical settings, including emergency departments, intensive care units, and neonatal care.
“As the demand for healthcare services continues to grow, developing and retaining skilled allied health professionals is more important than ever,” said April Murphy, chief nursing officer and vice president, patient care services, UPMC Hamot. “This partnership helps ensure students can receive an excellent education close to home while creating pathways into meaningful careers serving our region.”
UPMC has expanded career ladder opportunities for clinicians, including advancement pathways for those who wish to remain at the bedside. To support recruitment, UPMC recently increased wages for respiratory therapists and introduced sign-on bonuses of up to $20,000 for new eligible therapists.
“UPMC has expanded career ladder opportunities for respiratory therapists, including expert-level advancement pathways for clinicians who want to continue growing at the bedside,” said Kasey Moore, director of respiratory therapy services at UPMC Hamot. “Maintaining a strong local pipeline through Mercyhurst helps ensure we can continue providing exceptional care to patients throughout our region.”
For recent graduates like Maria Galletta, the partnership provides a direct transition from education to clinical practice. Galletta, who now works at UPMC Hamot, noted that her clinical rotations and internship experiences within the UPMC system prepared her to begin her career.
Mercyhurst is currently accepting students for the respiratory therapy program for the fall 2026 semester and is recruiting for future classes. Livingston noted that partnerships between higher education and employers are increasingly important as universities work to prepare students for professions facing shortages of qualified workers.
Source: Mercyhurst Univ
