Haley Walker is a second year Respiratory Care student at Genesee Community College in Batavia. Her winning essay was entitled “Professionalism in Healthcare.”

When Haley was asked: “Is this your first career? How did you become interested in respiratory? What motivated you to enter the essay contest?” This was her response: I am a West Michigan native. I moved to New York for the adventure. Respiratory is a second career for me.

I have been a Certified Pharmacy Technician for 9 years. Respiratory was never a career I even considered. But in my travels here in Rochester I have met some therapists and that inspired me to look further into the profession. Once I looked it up I was hooked and had to find a school. This will be my second degree and was excited to be a returning student. I was inspired to enter the essay contest by my professors who provided us with the information.

Haley will be joining our Delegates, Claire Aloan and Ron Jacobs in a two day House of Delegates meeting in Las Vegas December 7 & 8. It is an AARC and NYSSRC initiative to mentor students and teach them what we do to foster and grow the profession of respiratory care and protect the health welfare and safety of the patients we serve. Haley and her fellow students will be our next generation of leaders. When she returns home Haley will share the experience with her classmates.

Congratulations to Haley!!