Online degree advancement program helps working respiratory therapists take their careers to the next level

By Kate Hunger 

Corey Caballero, CPhT, RRT, is a husband and father, a student in the School of Health Professions, and a full-time respiratory therapist at Houston Methodist Hospital. 

The 33-year-old Houston native is in his first year of the Division of Respiratory Care’s online bachelor of science program, which is one of two online degree advancement programs offered by the division and designed for working respiratory therapists. 

After a short length of service in the U.S. Army following high school, Caballero considered various health care professions before becoming a pharmacy technician. He enjoyed his role but was researching options for his next career move when someone suggested he look into respiratory care.

“I didn’t really know anything about it,” he said, “but my grandfather fell ill and died of COPD. I was interested in what caused it. I didn’t have answers, so that is what pushed me to go in the respiratory care direction.”

He attended San Jacinto College in Pasadena, earned his associate degree in respiratory care, and began working as a respiratory therapist treating patients with COVID-19 around the time the pandemic arrived in the United States. When he decided to further his education, he learned about the degree advancement programs at UT Health San Antonio.

The structure of the online program is well-tailored to the schedule of working professionals with other obligations, Caballero said, a much different experience than the exhausting, sleep-deprived schedule he kept while working full time as a pharmacy technician and going to college to earn his associate degree. At just eight weeks long, courses in the online program enable students to focus on fewer classes at one time.

“I’ve never seen a program designed like this,” he said. “The way this program is structured, you are taking one or two classes at a time.”

Caballero finds the approach and encouragement from Tabatha Dragonberry, DHSc, MBA, MEd, RRT-NPS, RRT-ACCS, AE-C, CPFT, C-NPT, assistant professor, and director of online education for the Division of Respiratory Care, to be inspiring. Dr. Dragonberry employs a range of platforms and technology to communicate with students. Caballero often sends her questions by VideoAsk, an asynchronous video conversation platform.

“You can ask your question in a video format and she will come back with a video response,” he said. “You can see her body language, and it’s more comfortable.”

Dr. Dragonberry is equally complimentary. “What I appreciate with him is, if there is a challenge, he reaches out and says, ‘This is going on,’” she said. “He is always consistent, he’s always on top of things.”

Students in the degree advancement programs are professionals, and it shows, she added. “Student is one of many jobs they hold,” she said. “These students are working professionals who are looking to take their next steps, whatever they may be.” 

Caballero is seeking his bachelor’s degree so that he can move into management roles and further his career, perhaps even beyond his current profession.

“I will become a physician assistant,” he said. “I’m going to continue my education at UT Health San Antonio to keep pushing in that direction.”

Another reason for Caballero’s determination is his 8-year-old daughter.

“I want to provide a future for her and give her the world, no matter what,” he said.

Learn more about the Division of Respiratory Care’s online degree advancement programs.