On Dec. 14, the college’s Respiratory Care senior students held their annual holiday gift giving celebration for the residents of Pathways Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Niskayuna.
For the past 12 years, students and faculty have purchased, wrapped and delivered presents to the Pathway Center’s 35 children, many of whom are permanently on ventilators to support their breathing. Each child at the center receives a special gift, and the students and faculty also try to raise funds to purchase additional toys for the dayroom and classroom, as well as personal items such as clothes and decorative blankets.
“All senior students in the Respiratory Care program rotate to complete some clinical education at the facility,” said Department Chair Patricia Hyland. “They get to know the children and the staff there. This has become an annual tradition for our department and a perfect way to celebrate the holiday season.”
The annual tradition is funded through the generosity of students and faculty from the Respiratory Care program.
This year, 17 senior students took part in the celebration with the children.