Helen Moarcas came to Goodwin College after she graduated from high school in 2009, but has been part of the Goodwin family for much longer.
She earned an associate degree in Respiratory Care and a bachelor’s in Health Science from Goodwin and is now a respiratory therapist at Gaylord Hospital and a clinical instructor for the respiratory program at Goodwin College.
Her mother, Georgeta Moarcas, is the Senior Financial Aid Officer at Goodwin and has been with Goodwin for over 20 years. “I used to go to daycare at my mom’s work when Goodwin College was the Data Institute. I was 4 years old at the time,” she noted. “We’ve seen Goodwin grow tremendously since then.”
As a child, she loved playing doctor. She visited hospitals often after her godmother was diagnosed with lung cancer. Both of her parents have dealt with health issues as well. When she was a teenager, she began volunteering at a convalescent home.
Today, she works in a long term acute care hospital treating patients with cardiopulmonary conditions such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, pneumonia, heart failure and patients who require ventilators to breathe. She administers treatments and educates patients and their family members.
“It is so rewarding helping my ventilated patients get their voice back and communicate with their families again.”
Moarcas has been active in the community since she was a student. She created a team for the Fight For Air Climb in Hartford through the American Lung Association.
“This will be my fifth year creating a team for this event, which raises support for research, education and patient programs helping those impacted by lung diseases,” she stated. “It makes me feel connected to my patients since climbing 34 floors really knocks the breath out of you.”
As a clinical instructor, she is able to work with and train Goodwin students. “I understand what Goodwin students are going through because I was in their shoes.” She also works as a per diem respiratory therapist for the rehab department at Masonicare with elderly patients.
Moarcas credits the faculty and staff for pushing her in the right direction. “Because of Goodwin, I am where I am today.”
Goodwin University is a nonprofit institution of higher education and is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE), formerly known as the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC). Goodwin University was founded in 1999, with the goal of serving a diverse student population with career-focused degree programs that lead to strong employment outcomes.