Applications will open in Summer of 2027!

The VSRC Executive Committee may select a student or students of respiratory therapy that apply for the Leslee Harris Smith Education Scholarship. Applicants that may receive this financial award may be future or current respiratory therapy professionals and must be a current AARC member and Virginia resident. Award recipients will receive scholarship monies, an award certificate, and complimentary registration to a VSRC educational conference. Specific application instructions are below.

Leslee Harris Smith, MS, RRT, passed away on January 13, 2001 at the age of 48 after a courageous life cut short by the devastating effects of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.  Leslee was the Clinical Coordinator, and then Director, of the Respiratory Therapy Program at Northern Virginia Community College in Annandale, Virginia, from 1981 to 1996 when she was forced to slow down due to the consequences of her illness.  Using distant learning and electronic technologies to overcome the physical limitations imposed by her disease, Leslee continued teaching part-time through the end of the fall semester in 2000.  She was an active member of the Society, serving as chair of the educator group for many years.  Her many contributions are recognized annually by the VSRC through its award of the Leslee Harris Smith Scholarship to students enrolled in respiratory therapy educational programs throughout the state. Leslee received her AS degree from the Northwest Mississippi Junior College Respiratory Therapy Program in 1973, her BS degree from the Respiratory Therapy Program at Georgia State University in 1978, and her MS from Virginia Polytechnic Institute in 1983.  She was a remarkable human being, a generous person with enormous energy, and a gifted and dedicated respiratory therapy educator who is greatly missed by her friends and colleagues in the respiratory therapy community.

Past Recipients

2009 – Rebecca Infante

2012 – Torrey Phanelson / Diane Simmons

2015 – Janice Rinker / Kimberly Smith

2016 – Miriam Robertson / Ashley Smith

2017 – Colin Poe

2018 – Daniel Gochenour and Amanda Hreiz

2019 – Hanna Hatala

2020 – Alyssa Edwards

2022 – Hailey Davidson

2024 – Brooke Rimel

2025 – Gaby Elliot and Duy

2026 – Brittany Shultz-Moore and Lily Bowman 

RT Student Requirements (Future RT):

Applicant must be an AARC member, resident of Virginia, and enrolled in an accredited associate or bachelor degree program in respiratory care.

  1. Completed application form by the candidate before the posted deadline that includes the following documentation.
  2. Cover letter of at least 250-500 words expressing why you are qualified to receive this scholarship and describing your career goals.
  3. Letter of support from the program faculty that also includes statements verifying:
    1. Enrollment in the respiratory therapy program
    2. A cumulative GPA of at least 3.0
    3. Expected graduation date
    4. Growth and career potential in the respiratory care profession
  4. PowerPoint presentation with at least 5 slides that will be presented to the VSRC Board of Directors that describes why you should be awarded this scholarship.
  5. Documentation of participation in events or projects related to respiratory care including, but not limited to, attending an educational conference, presenting an educational session, and/or volunteering at a community-based event.  This could also include mentorship, committee membership, school or work-based projects, etc.

RT Professional Requirements (Current RT):

Applicant must be an AARC member, resident of Virginia, and enrolled in an accredited bachelor or master degree program in respiratory care.

  1. Completed application form by the candidate before the posted deadline that includes the following documentation.
  2. Cover letter of at least 250-500 words expressing why you are qualified to receive this scholarship and describing your career goals.
  3. Letter of support from the program faculty that includes a statement verifying:
    1. Enrollment in the respiratory therapy program
    2. A cumulative GPA of at least 3.0
    3. Expected graduation date
    4. Growth and career potential in the respiratory care profession
  4. PowerPoint presentation with at least 5 slides that will be presented to the VSRC Board of Directors that describes why you should be awarded this scholarship.
  5. Documentation of participation in events or projects related to respiratory care including, but not limited to, attending an educational conference, presenting an educational session, and/or volunteering at a community-based event.  This could also include mentorship, committee membership, school or work-based projects, etc.
  6. Proof of an active license in Virginia as a Respiratory Care Practitioner.