Aditi Shah, RRT

Current Position: Registered Respiratory Therapist, Jefferson Health

Job Title Updated: Summer 2025
Story Posted: Spring 2025

A 2022 graduate of North Penn High School, Aditi Shah was familiar with GMercyU from living nearby and from recommendations from friends who attended.

Aditi was originally drawn to GMercyU because of its Nursing program and the personal, comfortable feeling she got when on campus. She also loved hearing about its healthy balance between academics and athletics, since she planned to play field hockey.

“On my first visit to campus, I was nervous yet excited. I was 18, freshly out of high school, and had no idea what I was looking for when touring schools. However, when I went on my tour at GMercyU, it felt natural. It felt like I was supposed to be there. There’s no other way to describe it,” Aditi said.

Campus Experience

“My favorite part of GMercyU is the bonds I have formed during my time here. I have made so many lasting friendships that I know I’ll carry after. Being at such a small school, everyone is very familiar with each other. Even if you didn’t know anyone at the beginning of the semester in a class, you are guaranteed to know them by the end,” Aditi said.

During her first year on campus, Aditi was a member of the Field Hockey program. She played throughout high school and wanted to continue throughout college. She ultimately stepped away from the team to pursue other opportunities across campus.

Respiratory Care Experience

After hearing about the Respiratory Care program from Program Coordinator Randy Solly, Aditi made the switch from Nursing.

There is no one more passionate about Respiratory Care than my professor Randy Solly. After hearing his pitch about Respiratory Care and the role that respiratory therapists have in healthcare, it was enough for me to want to be a part of it and make the switch. I never looked back.

“Words cannot describe how outstanding the Respiratory Care program is at GMercyU. It truly feels like a family and the passion our instructors have for the profession is what makes us as students so skilled, both in the classroom and in a clinical setting. I believe this program prepares you so well in the classroom that you walk into your first day at clinical feeling confident in your skills and the knowledge you carry,” Aditi expressed.

One of the professors who’ve had the most profound impact on Aditi is Professor Barb Schuster. She used to say “Brick Lungs,” inspired Aditi so much so that she now has it tattoo of it in Professor Schuster’s handwriting.

“It’s a constant reminder that she, along with my other professors, have helped shape me into the person I am today and the future respiratory therapist I hope to soon be,” Aditi shared.

Other faculty members who have made a lasting impression on Aditi are Professor Melissa Thornborough and Professor Melissa Ash. Aditi and her classmates say Professor Thornborough has the “mom eyes,” and that “she is truly the best person to go to for any kind of advice and always finds learning opportunities even in the worst of situations.” While Professor Ash’s classes proved to be challenging, Aditi left feeling prepared to take on the next step of passing her boards after graduation.

“She is everything I hope to be one day and I truly look up to her so much,” Aditi expressed.

Lastly, Program Coordinator Randy Solly and his passion for respiratory care have left a lasting impression Aditi and her classmates.

“He puts so much time into making sure each student is successful and he always tells us there’s nothing he looks forward to more than the text after we take our boards saying, ‘I passed!’” Aditi said.

Clinical Experience

Aditi is currently an extern at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital where she’s gaining experience learning what respiratory therapists do on a daily basis and learning about different processes and the roles they play when involved in different procedures.

Aside from her externship, Aditi has completed clinical rotations at Jefferson Abington Hospital; Thomas Jefferson University Hospital; Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia; and Lehigh Valley Hospital-Cedar Crest. Through her placements, she gained experience inside different Intensive Care Units (ICUs), including the Neuro-ICU, Cardiac ICU, and Medical ICU. One of her favorite rotations was the neonatal and pediatrics rotation.

“As a student, it is your time to gain as much knowledge and skills that you can while you are at your clinical sites. Our professors always tell us its like an ‘ongoing interview.’ I think clinical time is what you made of it and as a student it’s okay to make mistakes and ask questions in order to learn,” Aditi shared.

Post-Graduation

After graduating in May 2025, Aditi will begin her career as a respiratory therapist at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital. A longterm goal of Aditi’s is to eventually speak at a respiratory care conference and obtain a variety of specialty credentials.