Special to Iredell Free News
Jeannie Deal, RRT/RCP, has been promoted to director of respiratory care for Iredell Health System.
Deal has worked in the respiratory care department at Iredell Memorial Hospital for 18 years, including the past eight as the assistant director of respiratory care.
She received her associate’s degree in respiratory therapy from Catawba Valley Community College and working toward her bachelor’s degree in respiratory therapy from UNC Wilmington.
Deal was always interested in healthcare, but she was initially drawn to nursing.
“As a child and young adult, I really wanted to be a nurse. I shadowed a nurse and saw that nurses were mainly on one floor. They’re dedicated to that one area. I didn’t want to be stuck on one floor and wanted to move around the hospital. With respiratory therapy, you’re all over the hospital. We do not have just one area,” said Deal.
Caring for those with breathing disorders was actually familiar to Deal. Growing up, Deal’s grandmother had emphysema, and her parents now have COPD. Because of her experience with lung conditions in her own family, Deal is able to better empathize, understand and care for patients with similar issues.
Now, as the director of respiratory care, Deal will oversee the day-to-day operations of the respiratory department, managing staffing, budgets, supplies, equipment, and ensuring respiratory patients receive high-quality care.
“I’m excited to see where we can go as a team. I hope to bring new protocols to the department and use our background to provide more patient education,” said Deal.
In her free time, Deal enjoys spending time with her family, grandchildren, and her English bulldog.
About Iredell Health System
Iredell Health System includes Iredell Memorial Hospital; Iredell Mooresville; Iredell Home Health; Iredell Wound Care & Hyperbaric Center; Community and Corporate Wellness; Occupational Medicine; the Iredell Physician Network and more. Iredell Memorial Hospital is the largest and only nonprofit hospital in Iredell County. The comprehensive healthcare facility has 247 beds; more than 1,700 employees; and has 260 physicians representing various specialties. Centers of excellence include Women’s and Children’s; Cardiovascular; Cancer; Surgical Services and Wellness & Prevention. The Health System’s newest campus, Iredell Mooresville, is home to the area’s only 24-hour urgent care facility, as well as an ambulatory surgery center, imaging center, rehabilitation services, and physician practices. The mission of Iredell Health System is to inspire wellbeing. For a comprehensive list of services and programs, visit www.iredellhealth.org.