HOUSTON (May 28, 2026) – Health care programs at Lone Star College-Kingwood are getting a boost thanks to a generous donation from Northeast Hospital Authority and Northeast Hospital Foundation to Lone Star College Foundation. This funding helps prepare students for careers in shortage areas at local hospitals.
The donation includes $211,000 in grant funding to purchase new equipment and technology for LSC-Kingwood’s Respiratory Care and Polysomnographic Technology programs, as well as $25,000 added to the existing Northeast Hospital Foundation Healthcare Education Fund, which will fund more student scholarships annually.
“This support ensures students leave with not only textbook knowledge but real hands-on clinical experience in hospitals and labs, making them highly competitive candidates for employment,” said Nicole Robinson Gauthier, CFRE, LSCS associate vice chancellor, Foundation Advancement. “Partners like this make it possible for Lone Star College System to help students get where they want to be.”
Students in the Respiratory Care program are learning to assess, treat and care for patients with breathing disorders. They train on state-of-the-art equipment used in local hospitals, creating smooth transitions to the workforce.
LSC-Kingwood will launch its Polysomnographic Technology program this fall, teaching students to monitor brain activity, muscle and eye movement, respiration, and blood oxygen levels to diagnose and assist in treating sleep disorders. LSCS is the third college to offer this program statewide.
“This donation allows students to gain hands-on experience with technology they are likely to encounter in modern clinical settings, helping bridge the gap between classroom learning and real-world patient care,” said Ryan Chabarria, Ph.D., LSC-Kingwood dean, Health Occupations & Biological Sciences. “Practicing with this equipment in a controlled learning environment builds confidence, strengthens technical skills, and better prepares students for clinical rotations and employment.”
New and upgraded equipment includes home sleep apnea testing devices, a transcutaneous CO? monitor, video laryngoscopes, home ventilators and a simulation mannequin.
“Equipping the next generation of respiratory care and sleep technology professionals is one of the most direct investments we can make in the health of our community,” said Roy Hearnsberger, Northeast Hospital Authority president. “We are proud to support Lone Star College-Kingwood with a gift of equipment and technology that will give students meaningful, hands-on experience—and prepare them for careers that will impact patients across our region for a lifetime.”
“We are pleased to continue our support of health care programs offered at Lone Star College-Kingwood,” said Tim Baker, Northeast Hospital Foundation president. “They are equipping the next generation of health care workers for meaningful careers and strengthening our community as a result.”
Additional health care programs in development at LSC-Kingwood include a Neurogenic Diagnostic Technology program slated to launch this fall and an Anesthesia Technology program expected to kick off in 2027.
“Our health care programs excel at creating an environment that fosters students’ learning and skills with hands-on and real-life education,” Chabarria said. “The generous donation supporting our Respiratory Care and Polysomnography programs at Lone Star College–Kingwood will have an immediate and lasting impact on our students.”
