Troy Dalphond found his calling in respiratory care.

Troy Dalphond was at a crossroads in his college education the day he accompanied his mom to the hospital and watched as a respiratory therapist brought her comfort.

“I saw that she was making a difference,” he said.

Dalphond started asking questions about respiratory care and he left the hospital that day with the name of Jennifer Jackson-Stevens, NECC’s respiratory care program coordinator. After researching respiratory therapy as a career option, he contacted Jackson-Stevens, withdrew from his business program, and enrolled in Northern Essex’s two-year respiratory care program.

He graduated from the program in May of 2019 and currently works at Beth Israel Deaconess in Boston, where he completed his last clinical rotation while a student. After just one year in the program, he was able to work part time under his student license at a Lowell area hospital.

“It’s a good paying job, there are plenty of job opportunities, and you make a positive impact on society,” the Methuen resident said. “Right now, they are especially needed.”

The 23-year-old says COVID-19 hasn’t diminished his resolve. While Dalphond has seen the virus at various stages from mild to critical, he says, he knows his work has a positive impact on society.

“Sure, it’s scary. It’s intimidating, but now that I’ve been in it I wouldn’t change anything,” he said. “I would never want to leave my team. There are  days that are hard, but they are offset by days that are great.”

Northern Essex offers a two-year associate degree in respiratory care. For additional information on the respiratory care program visit the NECC program page on our website.