Respiratory Therapy Faculty
Dr. Christy J. Kane, PhD, RRT, RRT-NPS, RRT-ACCS, AE-C, FAARC, serves as the Program Director and Professor in the Respiratory Therapy program.
With more than thirty years of experience, Dr. Kane has integrated academic leadership, clinical expertise, and national service to strengthen respiratory
therapy education and practice. Her scholarly work focuses on interprofessional collaboration and critical care medicine aimed at improving educational quality
and patient outcomes.
Dr. Kane’s academic portfolio includes extensive engagement in doctoral mentorship, curricular design, and faculty development. She has supervised numerous research projects addressing student/provider well-being, as well as patient safety. Her teaching encompasses subjects such as mechanical ventilation, leadership, evidence-based practice, and health policy across undergraduate and graduate programs.
A Fellow of the American Association for Respiratory Care (FAARC) and a Distinguished Scholar Fellow of the National Academies of Practice, Dr. Kane has held key national positions including President of the American College of Respiratory Therapy Education and Co-Chair of the AARC Taskforce on BSRT Program Expansion. She also contributes to quality assurance in respiratory education as a site visitor for the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC).
Ryan Rives serves as Assistant Professor and Director of Clinical Education for the Respiratory Therapy Program at Butler University. With more than 17 years of experience as a Registered Respiratory Therapist, he brings extensive clinical, leadership, and educational expertise from the clinical environment to the classroom.
Prior to entering higher education, Ryan spent 12 years practicing at the bedside. His first three years were spent honing skills in adult critical care. The next nine years were spent specializing in Level III Neonatal Intensive Care. During this time he served for three years on the Neonatal Transport team in Southern California, and two years as the NICU/Pediatric Supervisor and RT Educator in Cour ‘Delane, Idaho. Ryan rounds our his years of experience with five years as a hiring manager developing and leading healthcare teams in Carmel, Indiana.
Ryan’s advanced clinical experience includes adult and neonatal intubation, arterial line insertion, neonatal transport teams, and the development of hospital policies, procedures, and clinical protocols. He has led multidisciplinary simulation programs and healthcare education initiatives designed to improve patient outcomes and team performance.
A passionate educator, Ryan has carried multiple certifications thought out his career, including instructor for ACLS, BLS, PALS, NRP, and S.T.A.B.L.E. programs. He holds a Master of Healthcare Administration. Throughout his career, he has maintained licensure and clinical practice experience in California, Idaho, Washington, and Indiana.
Ryan is committed to preparing future respiratory therapists through evidence-based education, clinical excellence, and mentorship, helping students develop the skills and confidence necessary to provide exceptional patient care.