ByMary Drier, For the Tribune

Chuck Carr, at right, has been a respiratory therapist at the Hills and Dales General Hospital in Cass City since 2002. He also managed the respiratory department there for about 16 years before stepping down two years ago to slow down some. (Provided photo)

Chuck Carr, at right, has been a respiratory therapist at the Hills and Dales General Hospital in Cass City since 2002. He also managed the respiratory department there for about 16 years before stepping down

Chuck Carr, at right, has been a respiratory therapist at the Hills and Dales General Hospital in Cass City since 2002. He also managed the respiratory department there for about 16 years before stepping down two years ago to slow down some. (Provided photo)

Chuck Carr, at right, has been a respiratory therapist at the Hills and Dales General Hospital in Cass City since 2002. He also managed the respiratory department there for about 16 years before stepping down

Teachers & Healers:Carr mixes medicine and spirituality with his two professions

CASS CITY Chuck Carrs careers have contributed to peoples well-being both physically and spiritually.

At Hills and Dales General Hospital in Cass City, he is a respiratory therapist, and he is also an itinerant minister in the area.

I started out pastoring a very small church in Missouri," Carr said. "They could not afford to pay me very much, so I worked other jobs. I worked at a store changing truck and car tires. I wasnt married so at that time so my financial needs were not great. Later, I decided I wanted to do something more with my life. A school there had a 12 month respiratory program. I continued to pastor, continued to work at the tire store, and took classes.

At the end of year, he earned a respiratory certification.

Shortly after he graduated, the economy was in a slump so jobs were hard to find in his community of about 3,400 people.

The community had two hospitals, but because of the schools respiratory program there, there was a surplus of us in that field, "he said. So I started to look elsewhere for work.

He started applying for jobs in Michigan in 1983 because his wife is from here.

When asked why I moved to Michigan, I just say, Love brought me here, he said.

He got a job at the Garden City Hospital in Michigan and worked there for 13 years.

While I was there, I continued to do the Lords work itinerant preaching, teaching Bible school, teaching Sunday school, and worked full time, said Carr.

Some of his education for his theological career included attending the Bob Jones University, and earning a second degree from the William Tyndale College in Farmington Hills. He has also attended the Northland Baptist Bible College as well as Detroit Baptist Theological Seminary.

He furthered his education as a respiratory therapist by getting a bachelors degree to upgrade from his certificate.

Carr explained a respiratory therapist program now takes three years to complete and is an associate degree.

He went from the Garden City Hospital to the Port Huron General Hospital for six years, and he also continued his ministry there as well.

From there, he went to Hills and Dales General Hospital in 2002, where he also managed the respiratory department for about 16 years before stepping down two years ago to slow down some.

What I like about being a therapist, it has been a steady career for 37 years, and it has given me an opportunity to be in the community as a Christian, Carr said. Im a respiratory therapist who is also a pastor, and Im a pastor that is also a respiratory therapist."

Those careers have given me an opportunity to enjoy the sciences and the continuing education that goes with being a therapist; and as an itinerate minister, I share the Gospel and administer to spiritual needs," he said. "I enjoy what I do at the hospital an in churches.

Carr preaches at various churches in the area. He helps out at the First Baptist Church in Cass City. He is a deacon on the board there, teaches adult Sunday school, and when the pastor is out of town, he preaches in his place.

He noted both his careers give him a lot of satisfaction.

As a respiratory therapist and part of the hospitals team, it is satisfying when I can help someone physically with their breathing, and satisfying when I can minister the Word that brought comfort and peace.

Carrs position is also called a cardiopulmonary therapist, because it deals with both the lungs and heart.

As a cardiopulmonary therapist, Carr goes to code blue calls at the hospital, which is where someone is in immediate danger of losing their life. He is part of the cardiopulmonary resuscitation team that responds.

That is immensely satisfying," he said. "When you have helped saves someones life."

The downside of his medical profession is when someone who has breathing issues that he worked with for a long time passes, he said.

Visit link:

Teachers & Healers: Carr mixes medicine and spirituality with his two professions - Huron Daily Tribune