Profiles in Success

Check in often for success stories of alumni, students, and scholarship recipients.

I liked everything about the respiratory therapy program. The faculty and the clinical exposure were top-notch.

Lynne Bonney, RT

Syracuse, NY
Class of 2007 - Respiratory Therapy

Living and Breathing Respiratory Therapy

A lifelong asthmatic, Lynn Bonney feels especially fortunate to have found the respiratory therapy profession as an "old lady" of 48.

Working as an estimator for a glass and glazing manufacturer, she wanted a more "economy-proof career," and decided to check out a College of Health Professions Shadow Day program. Following a respiratory therapist on the job for several hours, Bonney says, "I loved it! The job combined technology with a great deal of people contact - both aspects I love."

Bonney already held a bachelor's degree in psychology from Utica College. She had been employed in social work, primarily dealing with children from 1982 to 1995. Her shift to glasswork stemmed from her father's business. "I'm originally from Boston and when my father became ill, I went home to help him at his glass business." Later she returned to Central New York, the area she fell in love with since attending college. She continued working in a Syracuse glass company. That is, until she took her next career leap.

Returning to college was a struggle at first, she comments. "It was like shell shock for the first half of the first semester. It took me a while, but then I got into the groove with studying."

"I liked everything about the respiratory therapy program. The faculty and the clinical exposure were top-notch. We went right into University Hospital to learn and I went to Rochester Strong Memorial for three weeks as well." In addition, Bonney spent a training day during her last semester at Pulmonary Health Physicians, a Syracuse private practice. "I knew I'd like to work there so I kept in touch with them." They hired Bonney in April of 2007, a month before her graduation.

As the physician group's pulmonary function technologist (PFT), Bonney performs respiratory assessment tests on 12 to 18 patients each day who may suffer from such chronic lung diseases as COPD, sarcoidal lesions, pulmonary fibrosis or lung cancer. "As a PFT, I'm not dealing with ventilators or meds, typical of respiratory therapists in treatment settings. I test for lung function, blood gases, calibrate the machinery and keep all the state logs." Bonney says she enjoys being able to develop long-term relationships with patients who come in on a regular basis.

Since 12 years old, Bonney has suffered from asthma, so she finds her new expertise personally advantageous. "I have been very lucky throughout my life, controlling my asthma with medication. But now, I know so much more about it that I can head off any trouble that may be developing."

In addition to her job, Bonney volunteers on the Health Professions Alumni Association Board of Directors. "I'm learning the ropes, understanding behind-the-scenes of how the organization works and the scholarship program process. It's exciting to keep connected to the College in this way."