Danielle Mitchell

  • Name: Danielle M. Mitchell
  • Graduating high school: Grenada High School

  • Academic degree(s): Holmes Community college Paralegal technology, Coahoma Community College Applied Science Respiratory Care, Holmes Community College Applied Arts

  • Credential(s): CRT

  • Graduation year (RT program): 2021

  • Place of employment: Grenada University of Mississippi Medical Center

  • How do you feel about your career choice as a respiratory therapist and why? I feel privilege. I have met a lot of nice people. It makes my day knowing that my patient is one hundred percent well taken care of. It is great that I work within my hometown. It is like I am giving back to my community. I truly enjoy what I do.

  • What drew you to the profession of respiratory care? I always knew as a little girl that I was going to be in the medical field. I really thought I would've become a nurse, but God had other plans.

  • What influenced your decision to choose Coahoma Community College to pursue your academic/professional goals? A friend influenced my decision to attend Coahoma. While attending Delta State University, I was failing two of my major classes to get into nursing school. I cried for many days and nights until God led me to someone who knew someone who went through Coahoma Community College Respiratory Therapy program. I was being willful about staying at Delta State University. That was until I got my final grades back. I knew then I needed to change my mind and give respiratory a try. I have not regretted my decision since.

  • How well did the Respiratory Care Program prepare you for entering the local and national healthcare workforce? This program prepared me very well. This program mentally and emotionally prepared me to deal with the general public. Not only that, but how to control my emotions towards certain events that may occur. Coahoma taught me how to be professional. As the great words from Dr. Lockett himself, "Learn how to be a chameleon." What he meant by this was to learn how to adapt to certain events. Know the difference between work life and your personal life.

  • How has the recent pandemic affected the field of respiratory care? Alternatively, why do you think Respiratory Care professionals are so needed at this time? I never knew how valuable a Respiratory Therapist was. From the doctors to the nurses, they care about what a therapist will have to say about a patient or within any situation. In all honesty, therapists are more needed. I wish that more programs were out there and more information on what a Respiratory Therapist does. This pandemic has opened many individuals' eyes. We are the people that go in and out of these patients' rooms. We are the ones that have a lot of critical thinking skills. It has been many situations where I, as a therapist, had to think quickly on my feet.

  • Has graduating from specifically, the CCC Respiratory Care Program changed your future? If so, how? Yes, actually, it has. I never thought in a million years that I would call myself a respiratory therapist let alone considering improving my education.

  • What advice would you give to any individual interested in respiratory care in your hometown or high school? My advice is to do your research, shadow someone within your desired field; it does not have to be respiratory. Be open-minded to learning what different fields does. Also, it is okay to leave your hometown to gain the education you need. It is also okay to return home to give back to your community.

  • What are your feelings about this year's respiratory care week theme, "Respiratory Therapists: Resilience, Strength, Hope"? I can take each word personally in this year's theme. I had to have resilience when it came down to graduating from the program. You will have a "predictor exam," also known as the final exam within this program. You have to pass this exam to graduate from the class, and it is a big part of your final average. Well, my resilience played a part when I failed the first half of my exam. I went home, cried, and cried. I was then on the phone with my military recruiter. I told my parents that I was not going back to take the exam and I am leaving to go to the Air Force. Let's just say my parents were not having that, and with that, I had to get over my fears. I cried while studying. I cried while taking that test. However, I passed it on my first try. The other word within this theme is strength. I had to have strength within this program. My freshman year of this program COVID-19 hit. I recall failing almost every test we had at home. However, I had the strength and resilience to keep pushing. I also had the third word, which was hope. With hope and prayer, I graduated from this program. I can honestly take this theme to heart. If it weren't for hard work and determination, I would not be able to call myself. Danielle Mitchell, RT

  • If you would like to say any kind words about anyone that played a significant role in you accomplishing your RT goals, please take this opportunity to do so. To my mom and dad, thank you for all the motivation and tough love throughout this program. To my loving and caring boyfriend, thank you for all the late-night studying and listening to rave on how ready I was to graduate or ready to quit the program. To my church members of Abundant Life Assembly Church Grenada, Ms., thank you for all the love and prayers. Your support has not gone unnoticed