From Asthma to Advocacy: Susan Wadsworth's Remarkable Respiratory Journey

Clinical Respiratory Specialist Susan Wadsworth BSHS, RRT grew up being treated for severe asthma but as a child never knew the people in the scrubs. Years later, her one-year-old niece went through a terrible choking incident that required a tracheostomy and a feeding tube. Susan learned the ins and outs of the NG tube and how to help care for her niece. After learning more about respiratory treatment, Susan figured out the clinicians treating her were the same ones showing her how to help her niece.

“I just never knew who they were growing up. My parents handled all of my medical appointments, so I didn’t even know that respiratory therapy existed,” Susan said. “After living through it, I just knew the medical field is where I wanted to be.”

Susan started in 2008 as a Respiratory Care Assistant in Cleveland at a Children’s Hospital. She worked her way up to Clinical Respiratory Specialist—all while earning her Bachelor of Science and MBA in Health Care Management.

“I take a lot of pride in the knowledge and the skill set that I’ve developed over the years, and I just want to use it to better our community while supporting my patients and their families,” she said. “I love helping people, I’m just a caregiver by nature.”

That desire to help was put to the test during COVID when Susan, who continues her battle with severe asthma, put her fear aside to continue healing those in need. Her husband, also on the front lines as a police officer, continued his work while others quarantined. Working 12- and 16-hour shifts, the couple had trouble finding childcare for their two children early on.

“I was incredibly proud of my team here at Sentara Princess Anne Hospital because our entire team stayed and fought through the pandemic together,” Susan shared. “We have an 18-bed ICU, and at one point we had 26 patients on ventilators. But our little family stuck together and made it through.”

Sentara Princess Anne Hospital has been working with USME for years to help make sure they have the patient-ready equipment they need.

“I’ve never had anything but awesome customer service with US Med-Equip. Everyone that’s ever worked with us has always been extremely helpful. Any time I’m running out of equipment, I just call USME, and they always bring it by the end of the day.”

Susan was nominated as May’s Healthcare Hero by her Director of Emergency Department David Vendt, BSN, RN, NE-BC.

“Susan goes above and beyond daily for all patients from neonates to centurions.  She is there to provide life-saving measures and educate the patients and families. Susan is very knowledgeable and recognizes the needs of the parents, patients, and families. She also coordinates training for both hospital and transport companies in our geographical reach. Susan's dedication to the patients, community, and other disciplines makes her a valuable member of our team, the Hampton Roads community, and the entire Respiratory community.”