Tavorius Crocker planned to work as a radiology tech, but when he met the director of the respiratory program at Sentara while he was a student at Tidewater Community College, he switched gears.

“I applied for the respiratory therapy program that day!” recalls Tavorius, a respiratory therapist at Sentara Norfolk General Hospital. He’s worked for Sentara Healthcare for almost 13 years.

Tavorius enjoys being challenged at work and is further challenging himself in the classroom by pursuing his bachelor’s degree in health science with help from the tuition assistance program at Sentara.

Respiratory Therapists

• Respiratory therapists help a wide range of patients who need help breathing, such as premature babies, asthma patients and people with various lung diseases, including those with chronic conditions, such as COPD or emphysema. They provide therapies that range from a nebulizer to life support.
• Respiratory therapists like Tavorius have also played a vital role in assisting COVID-19 patients in respiratory distress.
• Respiratory therapists are rigorously trained to make split decisions for patients, and Tavorius appreciates the respect physicians and other staff have for them.