When Max Naples walks across the SRC Arena stage to receive his degree in respiratory therapy from Upstate Medical University Commencement May 4, he will close a chapter in Naples family history.

Max is the third Naples sibling to earn his bachelor of science degree in respiratory therapy from the College of Health Professions. Max followed his brother Jake (2021) and sister Francesca (2022) through the program.

Jake, 26, now works at Unity Hospital in Rochester and is planning to return to school to become a physician’s assistant. Francesca works as an adjunct professor in the Upstate Respiratory Therapy program by day and works at St. Joseph’s Heath by night. Max will start working full time at Crouse Health in July.

Growing up, all three knew they were interested in the medical field, but didn’t know specifically what they wanted to do. A family cousin had earned a clinical perfusion degree through Upstate, prompting Jake to learn about other programs there. He landed on respiratory therapy and the rest is family history. Soon after, when Francesca was thinking about college, she decided to pursue respiratory therapy as well. Then it was Max’s turn. He graduated from Baldwinsville High School in 2022 and then did a year of pre-requisite courses at Onondaga Community College before starting his Upstate program.

“Francesca was telling me a lot of cool stuff about the program. I figured it was something I would be interested in, so I gave it a shot,” he said.

Respiratory therapists treat lung and breathing-related conditions, from asthma to respiratory failure, focusing on improving their patient’s ability to breathe comfortably. A patient will see a respiratory therapist in the hospital whenever they need a breathing treatment, such as a nebulizer or inhaler, or in the ICU while they are on life support.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment of respiratory therapists is projected to grow 13 percent from 2023 to 2033, much faster than the average for all occupations. This is due to an aging population and increased prevalence of respiratory diseases like COPD.

Having two successful siblings finish the program before him set the bar high for him at the College of Health Professions

“People will see my name and say, ‘You’re Francesa’s brother or Jake’s brother,’” he said. “They almost expect something from me because they know who my brother and sister are. It’s not extra pressure, just more like having to continue the reputation of being a good student.”

Max said the program can be intense, with much information to understand and learn, and his siblings have provided great moral support. Though he doesn’t interact directly with sister Francesa in her role as an adjunct faculty member in the department, he knows he can call her any time with questions, and he sometimes does.

Max said the Upstate program has been a great fit for him, and he looks forward to his role helping patients.

 “I like the hands-on aspect of patient care,” Max said. “If you’re in the hospital and you’re being seen by a respiratory therapist, it’s probably because you are very sick. The biggest part of our job is running life support. We are controlling this person’s breathing for them and we will make sure they are breathing as best they possibly can.”

Caption: Max Naples will be the third from his family to earn a respiratory therapy degree from Upstate.