University of Mary, CHI St. Alexius Expand Elite Respiratory Therapy Partnership with Five New Tuition-Free Scholarships

Investment brings total to 61 full-tuition scholarships and strengthens workforce pipeline in one of nation’s top respiratory therapy programs

BISMARCK, N.D. — CHI St. Alexius Health has committed funding for five new full-tuition scholarships in the University of Mary’s nationally recognized Respiratory Therapy (RT) program, expanding access to one of the nation’s top programs while addressing a growing shortage of respiratory therapists.

The new awards bring the University of Mary’s total number of tuition-free scholarships across high-need fields to 61, reinforcing the university’s long-standing commitment to removing financial barriers while meeting urgent workforce needs in health care and beyond.

“This partnership represents an innovative response to a critical workforce challenge,” said Dr. Mary Dockter, vice president for medical education and partnerships and dean of the College of Health Professions at the University of Mary. “CHI St. Alexius Health’s investment reflects our shared Benedictine mission to serve with compassion and excellence, while ensuring our region has highly skilled respiratory therapists prepared to care for patients with dignity and expertise.”

“This partnership represents an innovative response to a critical workforce challenge,” said Dr. Mary Dockter, vice president for medical education and partnerships and dean of the College of Health Professions at the University of Mary.

A 25-Year Consortium Model Built for Excellence

For more than 25 years, the University of Mary and CHI St. Alexius Health have partnered through a distinctive 2+2 consortium model that sets the program apart nationally. Students complete two years of undergraduate coursework on the University of Mary campus, followed by two years of immersive clinical and professional education conducted entirely at CHI St. Alexius Health.

“This structure unites academic formation with real-world clinical practice in a uniquely powerful way,” said Dr. Chris Sperle, director and chair of respiratory therapy and associate professor at the University of Mary, who also serves as program director at CHI St. Alexius Health. “Because the professional phase of the program is located directly on the hospital campus, students train with the same advanced ventilators, monitoring systems, and technologies used in patient care every day.”

The consortium model is rooted in a shared Benedictine heritage. The Benedictine Sisters who founded St. Alexius Hospital later established Mary College—now the University of Mary—in 1959, creating a common mission centered on service, hospitality, and respect for human dignity. That foundation continues to guide the partnership today, reinforced by rigorous accreditation standards and continuous program evaluation.

“Our program stands out because we hold ourselves to the profession’s most rigorous standards,” Sperle said. “CoARC’s outcomes-based system affirms the strength of our curriculum, clinical partnerships, and mission-centered preparation. We form respiratory therapists who not only excel clinically, but who care for patients with integrity, compassion, and professionalism.”

Nationally Recognized Outcomes

Graduates of the University of Mary–CHI St. Alexius Respiratory Therapy Program consistently achieve exceptional outcomes, including a 100% licensure success rate for graduates who have taken their respiratory therapy board examinations and a 100% job placement rate for those entering the profession.

The program has earned national recognition, including the CoARC President’s Award for Excellence in Credentialing Success and the American Association for Respiratory Care’s (AARC) Apex Award for Education Excellence for the 2024–2025 cycle.

“These outcomes reflect rigorous academics, direct clinical immersion, and personalized mentorship,” Sperle said. “They also reflect a shared commitment to forming clinicians who serve with skill, professionalism, and compassion.”

Accelerated Pathway Expands Access

Building on its nationally recognized outcomes, the University of Mary–CHI St. Alexius Respiratory Therapy Program has implemented a streamlined curriculum that reduces time to degree while maintaining academic rigor and clinical excellence.

Students can now complete the professional phase of the Bachelor of Science in Respiratory Therapy in four consecutive semesters, allowing for December graduation and earlier entry into the workforce. Updated prerequisite pathways also enable motivated students to complete the degree in as little as 3.3 years, increasing flexibility and affordability for first-generation and nontraditional students.

Addressing a Critical Workforce Shortage

Demand for respiratory therapists continues to rise due to retirements, post-pandemic burnout, and the increasing prevalence of chronic respiratory conditions. National employment is projected to grow approximately 12% through 2034, with nearly 9,000 openings annually. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a median annual wage of $80,450 for respiratory therapists in 2024.

“Acting now is essential,” Dockter said. “This partnership allows us to recruit, educate, and retain the next generation of respiratory therapists while strengthening the long-term health care capacity of our region.”

A Tuition-Free Pathway with Guaranteed Employment

Under the new scholarship agreement, selected students receive 100% tuition coverage, guaranteed admission into the professional phase of the RT program upon successful completion of prerequisites, and guaranteed employment at CHI St. Alexius Health after graduation. Graduates fulfill their scholarship commitment through a three-year employment agreement with the health system.

“For students and families, this provides clarity and peace of mind,” Sperle said. “They can focus on learning, knowing they are entering an in-demand profession with a clear pathway from education to employment.”

The new scholarships are expected to be available for students entering in fall 2026. Prospective students and high school seniors are encouraged to apply early through the University of Mary’s Department of Admissions, as awards are limited.