Meet the Team
Chris Sperle, PhD, RRT, AE-C
Program Director
I began my career working at St. Alexius Medical Center specializing in neonatal and adult critical care and respiratory therapy protocols. In 2002 I changed directions and began teaching for the University of Mary’s Respiratory Therapy Program as the Director of Clinical Education. I accepted the position of Program Director & Chair in 2015. I have been a member of the ND Society for Respiratory Care since 1997, serving several terms as treasurer and Director at Large, and currently as a ND Delegate for the American Association for Respiratory Care. I also serve as an editor for the Respiratory Care Annual.
"The moment I stepped on campus over 20 years ago, I felt welcomed by all. Working at Mary and at St. Alexius, I have come to value our sponsors, the Benedictine Sisters who inspire us to extend hospitality to all who enter our facility. University of Mary is dedicated to the mission to "Let all be received as Christ.""
Jessica Arndt, PhD, RRT, RRT-ACCS
Director of Clinical Education
I graduated from the co-sponsored CHI St. Alexius/University of Mary Respiratory Therapy Program in 2008. Upon graduation, I began working for St. Alexius Medical center (now CHI St. Alexius Health) with a focus on adult critical care. I began teaching part-time for the Respiratory Therapy Program in 2013. In 2014, I graduated with a Master’s in Education from the University of Mary. Teaching became my full-time job in 2015 when I took on my current role of Clinical Coordinator for the CHI St. Alexius Health/University of Mary Respiratory Therapy Program RT Program.
"As a faculty member for CHI St. Alexius Health & University of Mary’s Respiratory Therapy Program I have the privilege of working in a program that is co-sponsored by two institutions founded by the Benedictine Sisters of Annunciation Monastery. This allows the Benedictine values to permeate both the classroom and clinical settings, which sets our respiratory therapy graduates apart."
Erin Haustveit, M.Ed, BSRT, RRT-NPS
Instructor
I graduated from the CHI St. Alexius/University of Mary Respiratory Therapy Program in 2010. After graduation I worked in numerous hospital settings including rural and urban areas. I enjoyed time serving patient care in emergency rooms, birthing centers, pulmonary function, and patient education to name a few. For 10 years, I worked in durable medical equipment and home respiratory therapy services as a therapist, manager, and business strategy advisor. In 2022, I began a new journey in educating students as part of the University of Mary/CHI St. Alexius Respiratory therapy program, and feel so blessed to be here.