Millersville University and Lancaster Regional Medical Center announced a new partnership Monday that will prepare students for careers as respiratory therapists.

During a news conference at Lancaster Regional Medical Center, Millersville University President Francine McNairy said both parties bring something unique to the venture.

"Neither of us could do this alone," McNairy said. "We are combining the strengths of both institutions. We bring our expertise in science and math, and Lancaster Regional provides staff and a training environment."

About 20 Millersville students in two classes started the program Aug. 20.

Lancaster Regional CEO Mike Cowling said the partnership symbolizes the medical center's dedication to education.

"Offering teaching and education programs is part of our commitment to the community," Cowling said.

Prior to MU's partnership with Lancaster Regional, respiratory students trained at Lancaster General Hospital.

As part of the program, students will spend three years at Millersville in a liberal arts program with concentrated course work in the sciences.

Students will then spend 16 months at Lancaster Regional receiving specialized training in respiratory care.

Graduates will receive a bachelor's degree in biology.

McNairy said she and Cowling first discussed the possibility of a partnership about a year ago.

"This has been on the fast track," McNairy said.

Lancaster Regional Medical Center's predecessor, St. Joseph's Hospital, had a respiratory care program that began in the early 1960s and was one of the first accredited respiratory care programs in the United States, according to Lancaster Regional administrators. The program was shut down in the mid-'90s.

Jonathan Klapper-Lehman, Lancaster Regional's director of respiratory therapy, said he's pleased the program is back.

"It's very much like an old friend coming home," he said.

Klapper-Lehman said the need for respiratory therapists is increasing in Pennsylvania and nationally.

According to the U.S. Department of Labor, there were 118,000 respiratory therapists nationwide in 2004. Employment of respiratory therapists is expected to increase faster than average for all occupations through 2014 because of substantial growth in the country's middle-age and elderly populations, the department said.

Students train at Lancaster Regional's respiratory care center, which includes a classroom, offices and clinical space.

The center was originally built in the mid-'90s as a paramedic training center. The hospital spent between $40,000 and $50,000 to upgrade the center with respiratory equipment.

During the last few months of the program, students receive training at Hershey Medical Center, Lehigh Valley Hospital, Christiana Hospital and A.I. DuPont Children's Hospital in Delaware.

John Hughes, MU's director of the respiratory program, said traveling to other hospitals will help students gain valuable experience.

"They will be exposed to some big-city medicine and procedures that aren't available here," Hughes said.

Hughes said he hopes to increase the number of students who enroll in the program to 15 per class in a couple of years.

Christine Dzeedzy, 22, an MU respiratory therapy student who will graduate in December, said she's enjoying her training at Lancaster Regional.

"Everyone has exhibited such professionalism," Dzeedzy said. "That, combined with the training, has been wonderful."

E-mail: mpennino@lnpnews.com