David Vines, M.H.S., RRT, and Ruben Restrepo, M.D., RRT, show the plaques that symbolize the beginning of a respiratory care affiliation with Chang Gung University in Taiwan.
Printer Friendly Format

Colorful plaques with a fiery dragon and growling lion presented to faculty members in the Department of Respiratory Care are symbolic of a new international affiliation between the UT Health Science Center San Antonio and Chang Gung University (CGU) in Taiwan.

“The agreement will establish a way for faculty and staff members from both universities to work together in clinical training and research,” said David Vines, M.H.S., RRT, interim chair and associate professor of respiratory care, who received the dragon plaque. His colleague, Ruben Restrepo, M.D., RRT, also an associate professor in the Department of Respiratory Care, was presented with a plaque with a lion.

Affiliation promotes global understanding of health care
Marilyn Harrington, Ph.D., dean of the School of Health Professions, added, “Agreements like this show that our world is changing very quickly and getting smaller every day. This affiliation will promote better understanding of cultures, values, environments and health systems so that our students — and those from Taiwan — will be better prepared to deliver health care in the future.”

CGU faculty initiated affiliation
The international collaboration came about when Ying Huang Tsai, M.D., chair of the CGU Department of Respiratory Care, contacted Vines in November 2008 about establishing the international affiliation. “I think he contacted me because I have presented at international meetings on mechanized ventilation,” Vines said. Mechanical ventilation is used to help patients with severe pulmonary diseases or conditions to breathe.

In addition, one of Dr. Restrepo’s master’s degree students from Georgia State University, where Dr. Restrepo taught before coming to the Health Science Center, is from Taiwan and is now an assistant professor in the Respiratory Care Department at CGU.

HSC faculty members give presentations at Taiwan symposium
The first step in the agreement called for the two Health Science Center academics to travel to Taiwan in April to make presentations at the Sixth International Symposium on Respiratory Diseases and to tour adjunct hospitals to assess clinical instruction and the practice of respiratory care there.

Vines spoke about individualized treatment for mechanically ventilated patients using computerized ventilator graphics. Dr. Restrepo gave a presentation about his research involving aerosols to treat breathing disorders. Their hosts presented the plaques to them at the symposium.

Goals are to update technology and promote research
“The Taiwanese system of providing respiratory care is similar to ours,” Vines said. “The difference is that they tend to use their ventilation equipment longer than we do due to limited resources. They are very resourceful, but they would like to learn more about updated technology and to have the opportunity to conduct research.”

Summer visits planned
As part of the affiliation agreement, it is expected that during future summer sessions CGU students will come to the Health Science Center to receive clinical training and conduct respiratory research. An international satellite program encouraging travel, education, research and clinical training between faculty and students from both universities is expected to be established by 2013.