Elora Tung / Provided by Fanshawe College
Fanshawe College Respiratory Therapy program graduate, Elora Tung, was awarded the silver medal for her score on a certification exam.
Tung, who graduated in the 2019-20 school year, had the second-highest score on the Canadian Board for Respiratory Care National Certification exam.
“It was very early on in the pandemic, I was already working full time, the exam was like an afterthought. It was supposed to be in person, and then it was online. So, I was really just worried about getting it done and over with. While I was writing it, I did feel confident going through the questions,” says Tung.
Fanshawe played a crucial role in Tung getting the silver medal.
“Fanshawe was absolutely instrumental in me getting this medal. The Respiratory Therapy program at Fanshawe is so comprehensive. They reworked the curriculum this year, added new courses to really work with all of these students and give us the best opportunity to enter the workforce really capable and really confident,” Tung says.
As the COVID-19 pandemic pushes on, the world really needs respiratory therapists.
“As a community respiratory therapist, we have really stepped up to bring these COVID positive patients home from the hospital and provide them with the respiratory support that they need to recover at home. We are the eyes and ears for the hospitals, for people’s care teams, for the doctors. We’re making those decisions, do we send them to the hospital, are we putting oxygen in the home, giving them in-home interventions? I’m really proud to be part of a team that’s making such a big difference in these COVID positive patients’ lives,” says Tung.
Tung hopes to help educate her clients in the future as she continues her career.
“For me, the future is all in client education. Teaching people about their lung disease, about how to manage their symptoms at home. I really want to work with my clients to ensure their continued independence, comfort, safety, I want to set goals with them and help fulfill their own goals and dreams. Really give them a good understanding of what’s going on and what we can do.”
For anybody about to start or is currently in the middle of their respiratory therapy journey, Tung has some advice.
“There’s kind of three distinct parts of your respiratory therapy journey. For first years, rely on all the skills that your teachers have taught you. Those labs, those simulations, all of the equipment, Fanshawe has so much to offer and you really have to take advantage of that. In your second year, you’re starting to really learn about respiratory illness, respiratory disease, and that’s going to be your bread and butter, what you take forward. When people look to you, they’re looking for your expert opinion. People are going through these hard times, they have questions, and want to know what’s happening and why. That is your expertise. And then when you’re out in clinical, just be confident and ask questions. There are going to be lots of new experiences and you really just have to go head-on and conquer them and do your best to learn. Then as you launch into your career, you’ll figure out where your passion brings you. There are so many different aspects of respiratory therapy and you’re going to find a specific discipline. That’s where you’re going to get your rewards.”
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