School of Health Sciences Student Experiences

Teresiah Njenga

Teresiah Njenga

55-year-old student from Kenya, nursing major
“I’d also like to say how much I appreciate Brookhaven. People ask me what’s so good about it, and I tell them it’s because I’ve received so much help from the college.”
Nursing
Sarah Peyton

Sarah G. Peyton, LVT

Licensed Veterinary Technician Culpeper Animal Hospital Culpeper, Va.
“The program allowed me to continue to work full time, complete course work online, work with my veterinarians to complete the veterinary technician task sheets and videos, and still be able to spend time with my family while earning my degree.”
Veterinary Technology
Melissa Metzger

Melissa Metzger, RT(R)(ARRT)

Senior Radiologic Technologist, Children’s Medical Center Radiologic Sciences faculty
“All students coming out of this program will be able to position each patient for every type of X-ray, no matter the difficulty of the exam.”
Radiologic Sciences
Melanie Lofgren

Melanie Lofgren

LVN in private home health care, Nursing student
“I would recommend this program in a New York minute. Medical assisting is a great occupation, whether you're looking to become proficient in this field or use it as a stepping stone to move on to other health care specialties.”
Medical Assisting
Marcus Jackson

Marcus Jackson Sr., RRT

Director of Respiratory Therapy Methodist Mansfield Medical Center
“My education has allowed me to support my family. If we were talking about Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, it would be one of the foundational experiences that have allowed me both to meet basic needs and to expand my passions in other areas of life such as ministry.”
Respiratory Care Program
Marcia Boyd

Marcia L. Boyd

CT Technologist, Preferred Imaging
“The instructors are top-notch. It says something when an employer asks where you went to school, and when Dallas College is the answer, there are no further questions!!”
Radiologic Sciences

Mathew Joseph

Certified Surgical Technologist Presbyterian Hospital of Dallas
“I earned the certificate with good grades and was well prepared for the certified surgical technologist examination, which I passed in September 2008.”
Surgical Technologist
Vanessa H. Nguyen

Vanessa H. Nguyen, RRT

Respiratory Therapist Methodist Dallas Medical Center
“What do I love about my job? I love my co-workers, and I love my patients and their families. The surprising part about this job is how much I've learned about humanity, how kind people are. There are many wonderful people out there.”
Respiratory Care Program
Marvis Bellagwa

Marvis Bellagwa, CNA, LVN

Licensed Vocational Nurse Golden Acres: The Dallas Home for Jewish Aged
“Coming into the program, I didn’t know what to expect. The best part is when you meet people you’ve never seen before, and everyone works together for a common goal. The instructors are so helpful and make you feel welcome.”
Nursing
Loni McElhinney

Loni McElhinney

Medical Laboratory Technician Medical Center of Plano Blood Bank
“Once I was accepted into the program, I found the instructors to be personable and knowledgeable, and they made me feel well prepared for my clinical rotations.”
Medical Laboratory Technology
LaToya Payton

LaToya Payton, B.S., RCIS, LMRT

Catheterization Lab Specialist Baylor Jack and Jane Hamilton Heart and Vascular Hospital Program Coordinator and Faculty, Invasive Cardiovascular Technology, El Centro
“The best part of the program to me was the clinical rotations and all of the hands-on expertise that the preceptors shared with us at the hospitals. There’s just a wealth of information to learn in this career.”
Invasive Cardiovascular Technology
Lisa Price

Lisa Price, RN

Registered Nurse Baylor-Irving Hospital Progressive Care Unit
“My nursing education was excellent: tough, thorough and challenging. By the time I took my board exams, I felt completely confident and ready.”
Nursing
Ray Rucker

Ray Rucker, CST

Certified Surgical Technologist-Advanced Status, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Clements University Hospital Campus
“El Centro has a well-developed program and is easy to get to from any area of Dallas via DART train or bus. The program is very thorough, with step-by-step instructions and real-life situations to help with the understanding of the process that it takes to be prepared for your career.”
Surgical Technologist
Rani Varghese

Rani Varghese, RT(R) (MR) (ARRT)

Senior MRI Technologist UT-Southwestern Medical Center
“The best part of the Radiological Sciences program was the patient interaction. Being in a hospital setting was an entirely new experience for me.”
Radiologic Sciences
Virgilio Fernando

Virgilio Fernando

Surgical Technician USMD Hospital at Arlington
“The best part of the program was how qualified the instructors are. They’re actually operating room nurses, so they not only understand the theory of what you’re studying but also have a totally practical standpoint.”
Surgical Technologist
Ken Calabrese

Ken Calabrese

National Accounts Manager Cook Urological Inc. Bloomington, Ind.
“Having a degree, regardless of whether it’s in a veterinary or human profession, opens a lot of doors for people interested in the field of medicine. The program basics apply to a broad spectrum of different applications.”
Veterinary Technology
Assistant helping patient in hospital bed.

Have Questions?

We're here to help!

Contact us directly via email (AskSOHS@DallasCollege.edu).

You can also reach us by phone at 972-669-6400, Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Please specify your program of interest.

No matter where these current or former students are in the process of reaching their goals, we salute them. They have dared to turn dreams into reality through education in the School of Health Sciences. Could you be next?

Updated November 11, 2025