Meet Ryan Budzinski, a Delta alumnus and respiratory therapist who works for Covenant HealthCare in Saginaw. During the peak of the pandemic in April and May, Budzinski cared for patients in the hospital’s COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit.
The Bay City native came to Delta in 2013 after working in banking for 20 years. And he hasn’t looked back.
Q: What’s it like to work with patients who have COVID-19?
A: At the start of it, I think all of us were a bit apprehensive. But once we got a system in place, we became focused on taking care of our patients. It turned into an incredible team, and it was inspiring to see the work we were doing.
Q: Describe your role as a respiratory therapist.
A: My primary job is to run a ventilator in an ICU. If it’s a new patient, I set up the machine and help the physician insert a breathing tube. I manage the machine and make sure the patient is stable. I also provide breathing treatments for people with COPD, practice Chest Physical Therapy and respond to a Code Blue, which means someone stopped breathing.
Q: Why respiratory care?
A: I was a childhood asthmatic and was in the ER quite often, which is how I knew about respiratory therapy. I was laid off from my job at a credit union and wanted to do something different. That is one of the great things about Delta – there are so many options and opportunities for people looking for something new.
Q: What was it like going from a business environment to healthcare?
A: It was a culture shock because I was used to working at a desk. I had to get used to being so close to someone to hear their breathing and being in their personal space. But I stuck with it and I absolutely love it.
Q: Describe your experience at Delta.
A: The faculty are amazing. Many took tough subjects and made them fun. From the beginning of the program, I was getting hands-on experience working at hospitals. That’s another great thing about Delta – there are a lot of hospitals in the area and I was lucky enough to work for all four major ones. Each hospital has its own way of doing things, so you get to find your best fit.
Delta’s health programs by the numbers
- Number of health programs: 10.
- 227 students are completing clinicals at area hospitals this fall.
- 259 healthcare graduates in 2020. Up 5% from last year.
Thank you, graduates!
Since 1980, 370 individuals have graduated from the respiratory care program. Delta is proud of these alumni, including Carrie Hennig, of Sanford, who lost her life to COVID-19 while caring for her patients. Delta is proud of all its alumni who have been working on the frontlines as healthcare workers.