Ashleigh Pasternak, RRT

Current Position: RRT at Abington-Jefferson Hospital

Journey to GMercyU

Ashleigh Pasternak is a 2019 graduate of William Tennent High School and Middle Bucks Institute of Technology (MBIT). At MBIT, Ashleigh was in the medical and health professions program, where she obtained her CNA certification and other health-related certifications while still in high school.

Ashleigh remembers her first GMercyU tour like it was yesterday. It was a hot, sunny summer day, and she was so nervous. Once her tour guide created a welcoming, warm environment, Ashleigh knew she made the right decision to visit. “It felt like a home away from home,” she said.

So, what made Ashleigh choose GMercyU?

“I really liked the small classes and inclusiveness. I also really liked the Student Success Center (SSC), where I’ve gotten extra help from amazing tutors,” Ashleigh said.

Why Respiratory Care?

“I chose Respiratory Care as my major after experiencing a traumatic family event. I saw the care that the respiratory therapists gave at Jefferson Abington Hospital and thought to myself, ‘Wow, I have to be a part of that,’” Ashleigh shared. “I originally enrolled as a Nursing major, but then quickly found my new passion for Respiratory Care and never looked back.”

Experience in the Program

Ashleigh describes her experience in GMercyU’s Respiratory Care as nothing short of amazing. She commended her professors on their dedication to preparing students not only for the boards, but for the transition to becoming a Respiratory Therapist (RT).

Their dedication to the practice shines not only inside the classroom, but outside as well. This program prepared me so well, I passed my boards on the first attempt.

Ashleigh considered one faculty member in particular her “Respiratory Mom” - Instructor Melissa Thornborough RRT, RRT-ACCS, AE-C.

“She will go above and beyond to make sure topics are understood - not only the material she teaches, but material from other professors, as well,” Ashleigh shared. “If you’re looking for professors who believe in you, choose Respiratory Care. I cannot emphasize this enough. There’s no one more (besides your parents) who want to see you succeed in the Respiratory Care program, and they will guide you in any way possible to get you there.”

Prior to joining the program, Ashleigh had never taken a train or gone to the city alone. To help calm her nerves, Instructor Thornborough met Ashleigh at the train station at 5:00a.m. to ensure she got where
she needed to be for her clinicals. This is just one of many examples of how Ashleigh’s professors looked out for her and her fellow classmates to ensure they were successful.

Ashleigh shared that, as a student, self-doubt can sometimes get the better of you. At those times, she’d remind herself of the words of Randy Solly, MS, RRT, RPFT, AE-C, Professor of Practice and Program Coordinator for Respiratory Care:

Believe in yourself. You know more than you think you do.

She’s repeated this phrase time and time again, and even wrote it down before taking the boards.

She was also inspired by Assistant Professor Barbara Schuster, MSEd, RRT, and joked that she “prepared me to be a cardiologist in my next life” due to her dedication and excellence in teaching her students the cardiopulmonary system.

“Every semester we learned different aspects about the heart, from anatomy to functions to diagnostic testing, and even neonatal circulation and diseases. The list could go on! But the knowledge that I’ve gained through Professor Barb has prepared me to further understand physicians while rounding both at clinical and now as a professional, as well as the disease processes and decisions to lead to better patient care and outcomes,” said Ashleigh. “I’m so glad to have learned such valuable information that I use day in and day out.”

Last but not least, Ashleigh had a deep admiration for Instructor Melissa Ash, BS, RRT-ACCS, RRT-NPS, RRT-SDS, RRT-CPFT, RRT-AE-C.

“Melissa Ash is the mechanical ventilation queen who I also consider to be my Respiratory Aunt,” shared Ashleigh. “Melissa Ash had a big impact on me as her tests were harder than the actual boards. Even though there were countless nights and sweat and tears, she did not let me off the hook easily. But since graduating, I now finally see the method to her success.”

Instructor Ash was always there to hear the clinical stories of her students and served as their biggest cheerleader for victories both big and small.

“Melissa has obtained every single Respiratory Care credential and is a huge inspiration to me as I begin my career in Respiratory Care,” Ashleigh shared.

Clinical Experience

As part of her educational experience, Ashleigh completed clinical rotations at various hospitals in the area. Some included Jefferson Abington Hospital, Jefferson Torresdale Hospital, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, Einstein Montgomery Hospital, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, and the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania.

Ashleigh worked directly under a Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT), and experienced different ICUs, Emergency Departments, NICUs, and Pediatric ICUs. She also had the opportunity to see pulmonary function tests, pulmonary rehab, and even spend a few days in the bronchoscopy suits.

A few of her primary responsibilities included ventilator performance checks to ensure ventilators were set and functioning correctly; cleaning/SST ventilators; giving aerosol treatments and other respiratory care medications; giving patients oxygen via a variety of oxygen devices; and assisting in transports with patients who required oxygen. She also watched several C-sections and responded to rapid response team calls and code blues.

You will learn every single day, whether it’s direct patient care, what kind of therapist you want/don’t want to be, learning new cultures and the care they wish to receive, how strong you have to be for not only yourself but for your patients. You will encounter hundreds of therapists on your journey to become a Respiratory Therapist. Take something from each of them and grow within. Just like with any career, you will experience ‘good’ and ‘bad’ ones. Not every day will be a good day, but make every day count.

Experience at GMercyU

“My favorite part of GMercyU is the welcoming and inclusive environment. At Gwynedd, you are a person, not a number. It’s so nice to know the majority of your campus, both students and faculty. It really shows the close-knit environment,” said Ashleigh. “I really liked Gwynedd because it was close enough for me to go home and see my dog, but also far enough where I felt ‘away.’”

During her four years at GMercyU, Ashleigh served as a Resident Assistant (RA) in the residence halls, where she oversaw first-year students, upperclassmen, and transfer students. Her responsibilities included being a resource for all residents and creating and fostering a welcoming and open community by hosting programs throughout the year for residents to socialize, make crafts, and enjoy refreshments.

Ashleigh also served as a Peer Mentor within the Integrated Studies program where she assisted students with intellectual disabilities on navigating college and college life.

“Through this program, I met some of my best friends. It’s really motivating when you see your work pay off with these students,” shared Ashleigh.

Within the Respiratory Care program, Ashleigh served as a Class Representative for her cohort. This role entailed being a resource for classmates and a bridge between students and faculty members.

Why GMercyU?

“If you’re unsure what you want to officially do for a future career but know you want a career in healthcare, definitely consider Respiratory Care. Our professors will be more than happy to give you the scoop on Respiratory Care. You won’t regret it,” Ashleigh shared.

Since earning her Bachelor of Health Science in Respiratory Care degree in 2024, Ashleigh has begun working as a Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) at Jefferson Abington Hospital.