Cathy Berkheimer laughs when she remembers proclaiming, “There’s no way I’m ever working in a hospital.” A Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) for a little over 30 years, she became a Cleveland Clinic caregiver in 2010 and now works at Medina Hospital. 

Maybe her dislike of breathing-related things came from the numerous times she was a patient with asthma as a 13-year-old, but she later realized how rewarding it was to help patients with her skills and expertise. If it hadn’t had been for her pulmonologist back then recommending that she shadow one of the RTs where she was being treated, she may not have ever pursued this career. 

A Major Switch 

Cathy headed to Cleveland State University for engineering, but soon discovered that physics wasn’t really her strength. She then enrolled at Cuyahoga Community College (Tri-C), one of the only places offering respiratory therapy education. Cathy says, “What’s funny is one of the first classes I had to take was physics as it applied to respiratory therapy.” She graduated with her associate degree from Tri-C in 1994 and started her career as an RRT at St. John’s Westshore Hospital. 

Two Patient Populations 

With a focus on patient education, Cathy has two roles: one as the Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) advocate treating patients who are in the hospital, and the other as a Respiratory Therapist providing education to outpatients as part of pulmonary rehab. 

Working as an RRT on a variety of different floors at Medina Hospital, Cathy treats patients with COPD, emphysema, bronchitis, asthma, interstitial lung disease and more. In addition to using an Acapella device (a flutter valve that helps loosen mucus), she runs ventilators and responds when any kind of code is called. 

A Therapist and a Teacher 

The training and education she provides to outpatients through the Pulmonary Rehab department takes up most of her time. Cathy teaches up to six patients at a time, four times a day (on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays), on 18 different topics. “After a 10-15 minute session on that day’s topic, I lead them through stretches and weights. Then we go over to our four recumbent steppers and two treadmills, and the patients work out,” Cathy says. 

Walking in Their Shoes 

Cathy has a strong bond with many of her patients because she has plenty of experience with their struggles. “Because I have asthma myself, it’s so easy for me to identify with the patients. I know how scary it is not to breathe. It’s horrifying. So, when you can convey that to the patient and they say, ‘Oh, you get it,’ they calm down and actually start to listen.” 

“These breathing techniques really help,” Cathy continues. “Sometimes I lay my hand on a shoulder and just say, ‘It’s OK. You’re not alone in this. I’m here to help you. You don’t have to be scared because you’re in the best place to get help.’” Her empathy goes a long way in helping to build trust with her patients.  

Trusted For Her Expertise 

Being an RRT at Cleveland Clinic has many benefits. “One of the things that I love here is the independence. You get your assignment, and you go out and you do your stuff. We also learn to work as a team. Nobody goes to break until we check on each other and make sure that everyone is caught up. If they’re not, then we go and help that person.” 

Cathy also mentions the variety as a favorite part of the role. “You’re not just doing the same thing over and over again. Yes, you’re giving medication, but there’s so many different types of medications and inhalers that we give. We also draw blood. And if we’re covering ICU, we get to work with the doctor and just make a huge difference for that patient.” 

“It’s funny that I never saw myself in healthcare, but it ended up being my calling,” Cathy adds.