MARIETTA, OHIO — For Washington State College of Ohio (WSCO) Respiratory Therapy Technology alumna Tanya Wade, the path into healthcare was built on purpose, preparation, and a deep commitment to caring for others during their most vulnerable moments. Today, Wade serves as the Director of Respiratory Therapy at a rural critical-access hospital, where she leads teams, mentors staff, and helps shape patient care outcomes every day.
Wade says her decision to attend WSCO was driven by more than the desire to earn a degree. It was about being truly prepared for the responsibility of patient care. From the beginning, she found a program that emphasized real world readiness, high expectations, and hands-on learning that reflected the realities of the healthcare field. “WSCO stood out because it felt grounded in reality. The focus wasn’t just on passing exams, but on becoming a competent, confident healthcare professional,” Wade shared.
One of the most impactful aspects of her education was the Respiratory Therapy Technology program’s emphasis on clinical experiences. Through hands-on training in real patient care settings, she learned not only technical skills but also how to think critically, communicate effectively, and remain steady under pressure. “The clinicals prepared me the most for my career,” she said. “They taught me how to think on my feet, how to communicate, and how to stay calm when things are uncertain. You don’t just learn what to do, but you learn how to show up.”
Wade recalls a pivotal moment during her time at WSCO when she realized she was truly becoming a healthcare professional. “It wasn’t dramatic. It was quiet confidence,” she said. “It was trusting my judgment, advocating for a patient, and realizing I could actually do this.”
Shortly after entering the workforce, Wade found herself on the front lines of care during the COVID-19 pandemic, an experience that tested healthcare professionals around the world in unprecedented ways. She credits her education at WSCO as the foundation that helped her remain grounded during those challenging moments. “I entered the workforce still new when COVID hit, and suddenly I was facing situations no one had fully prepared us for,” Wade said. “The program at WSCO taught me that patient care is not just technical; it is deeply human. Those lessons became my anchor during the hardest moments of the pandemic.”
She recalls moments that remain with her to this day, providing comfort to patients in their final hours, offering reassurance before critical procedures, and serving as a steady presence for both patients and families during times of fear and uncertainty. “In those moments, compassion mattered just as much as clinical skill,” she said.
Today, as Director of Respiratory Therapy, Wade continues to build on that foundation by leading teams, developing protocols, and mentoring the next generation of healthcare professionals. She believes the skills she gained at WSCO, including critical thinking, professionalism, teamwork, accountability, and compassion, remain central to her work. “WSCO didn’t just help me get a job. It helped me build a career,” she said. “The program gave me confidence before I even knew how much I would need it.”
Wade encourages future students considering the program to embrace its challenges. “WSCO will challenge you, but that challenge is intentional,” she said. “It prepares you for real patients, real pressure, and real responsibility. And when it matters most, you’ll be grateful for that preparation.”
For Wade, WSCO remains a meaningful part of her journey, one that shaped not only her career but also the kind of clinician and leader she has become.
