Jefferson College of Health Professions

10/28/2026

In celebration of Respiratory Care week, we're excited to highlight one of our amazing preceptor for our Respiratory Therapy (RT) program, Kerri. We can't thank her enough for her support with our RT students and her contributions as a respiratory therapist!

What is your name and title:
Kerri Baumgardner, RRT
Lead Respiratory Therapist
Thomas Jefferson University Hospital
She/Her

In which department do you work: Pulmonary Function Lab

Years in respiratory therapy: 19 years

What inspired you to become a respiratory therapist?
I’ve always enjoyed working with people, and I knew I wanted to do something in healthcare. Respiratory Therapy wasn’t necessarily something I had planned on, but I’m so glad I found it. Nineteen years later, I still love what I do!

What is the best part of your job:
It’s hard to pick just one thing! I’m a people person, so first and foremost, I LOVE the people I work with, my coworkers and my patients. I really enjoy helping patients find answers about what is going on with their lungs. A lot of patients come in feeling nervous or anxious about testing, and I love being able to put them at ease and make the experience a little more comfortable. It’s rewarding to know I’m helping them get one step closer to some answers.

What’s one piece of advice you give RT students:
Never be afraid to ask questions! Even after 19 years as a Respiratory Therapist, I’m still learning new things every day. There’s always something new to learn, no matter how much experience you have!

What’s something people would be surprised to find out about you:
I love spending time outdoors, traveling and exploring new places. I’ve visited 12 national parks across the country so far and I hope to visit many more!

10/26/2026

Celebrating National Respiratory Care Week ( ) with a day in the life of a Respiratory Therapy student video!

10/22/2026

We are so proud to announce that JCHP faculty member, Dr. Fox was recently given the Distinguished Educator Award by the Society for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (SDMS). Dr. Fox (pictured left) was presented this award at the SDMS conference by President Aubrey Rybinski. Congratulations on this amazing achievement and thank you for all of your hard-work and dedication to our students!

10/22/2026

Meet one of our first MS in Medical Cannabis Science and Business graduates, Seth Martin!

👋 Meet Seth Martin, a 2021 graduate of Jefferson’s MS in Medical Cannabis Science and Business program.

What led you to Jefferson?
💙 Jefferson stands apart from other cannabis education options because of its extensive academic resources. Plus, it’s one of the first universities with a world-renowned medical school to offer a program focused on the medicinal uses of cannabis and h**p.

How has a Jefferson degree impacted your career?
🎓 Jefferson prepared me for the rapidly changing cannabis industry by exposing me to current scientific research and providing insights into the regulatory requirements in states where cannabis is legal for medical and/or recreational use. In addition, the University has provided me with a competitive edge in interviews with companies in the cannabis and h**p industries. My unique degree is always a point of conversation.

What has your career path looked like?
👨‍🔬 I’ve held several scientific leadership positions in the cannabis industry. While in graduate school, I was an analytical and formulation chemist for a C*D company in Pennsylvania, an extraction chemist for a cannabis company in Colorado, and an extraction chemist for a company in Pennsylvania’s medical cannabis industry.

After graduation, I served as the scientific director at a cannabis company with licenses in Georgia, Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island for two years. My primary responsibility was running its production facility on Martha’s Vineyard.

I’m currently an expert witness and consultant for Cannaspire, and I founded SMart Extraction and Formulation, which provides consulting services in extraction and formulation for companies operating in the cannabis, h**p, and nutraceutical industries.

What advice would you give to students considering Jefferson’s cannabis program?
💬 Be ready to join an industry that requires people to be highly adaptable, creative, and innovative.

What’s something people would be surprised to find out about you?
🪴 I’ve been gardening every summer for the past 18 years, growing corn, onions, sweet potatoes, lettuce, tomatoes, basil, squash, and even bananas.

👉 Learn more about Jefferson’s MS in Medical Cannabis Science and Business program: https://bit.ly/4zMKXhy

10/21/2026

Our department of Medical Lab Sciences and Biotechnology attended the Careers of Tomorrow Expo yesterday to show case the laboratory professions to hundreds of middle and high school students. Thanks to Montgomery County for hosting this event every year and many thanks to our dedicated faculty members for creating awareness about the lab profession!

10/15/2026

Celebrating many scholarship and professional achievements at the American College of Nurse-Midwives (ACNM) conference this year. Our faculty members, Drs. Rowland, Sokunbi, and Clausen were honored to be inducted as Fellows of ACNM. The conference also provided wonderful opportunities to showcase student and faculty work, including two presentations from Program Director, Dr. Rowland, a poster presentation from Dr. Sokunbi, and a poster presentation by recent Doctor of Midwifery graduate Dr. Dau featuring her doctoral work. So proud to see our colleagues and graduates represented and recognized! Congratulations everyone!

10/14/2026

Congratulations to our Chair and Respiratory Therapy Program Director, Dr. Juby on his Fellowship appointment!

10/09/2026

As we celebrate National Physician Assistant/Associate (PA) Week, we are excited to congratulate our PA faculty member, Dr. Coleman on his successful oral defense of his dissertation proposal! Professor Coleman is one of the first students in our inaugural PhD program within the College. His proposed study will review the adversity and resilience among PA students to prepare students for clinical practice. Thank you for your hard work and dedication to improve the PA education experience for all students.

10/08/2026

We are so proud to announce that JCHP faculty member Dr. Biondo, received an Honorable Mention in the Theresa and Charles Yeo Writing Prize competition for her inspiring piece on finding joy.

Join Dr. Biondo at the Evanescent Book Launch Party on October 22 in Center City, where she will be reading her submission.

Congratulations, Dr. Biondo, on this wonderful accomplishment and thank you for representing the doctoral programs and JCHP!

10/04/2026

To celebrate National Midwifery Week, Mary is featured in this video to highlight a typical day of a MS Midwifery student!