Student Experience: Adam Carpenter

“I have always been fascinated with the field of science ever since I was a little kid. After completing my associate degree in science, there was still one question to answer: 'What do you want to do in science?' As broad as the science field is, it was difficult to select an area that would best fit my interests. I felt like the options were weighing down on me but that I had to rush into a career decision.

“After attending other universities, I felt like their programs were not going to prepare me for the challenges of the medical world. Through the many hours of researching and testimonials from medical professionals, I decided to give El Centro a chance. After a few classes, the Medical Lab Technology program captured my attention. El Centro has prepared me for the next step more than I can comprehend. 

“The HPR program has shown me that confidence, diligence, perseverance, a caring heart and very strong knowledge are what is needed for a medical professional. The best part of the classes was the hands-on training that the program provided. Instead of learning just by lectures, it was easier to remember and to fully comprehend the correct medical procedures like drawing blood, correctly calculating blood pressure and many others.

“Among the many things that I've learned, this program has taught me that a medical professional plays a very vital role when disasters arise in mere seconds. You can save someone's life because of the knowledge you've obtained. Knowing that I will be saving lives in the future and having skills obtained through practice give me the determination to be the best that I can be in my field.

“I would like to give credit where it is rightfully due, to the professors at El Centro. They have the experience, personality, determination, love for their fields of study and most importantly the desire to help their students succeed. They give students insight into what is expected for them to know and what is ahead of them in their chosen fields. And they make it fun to learn. 

“Future health care program students, if you are searching for a college to help you get started and ready for your bright future, I personally recommend Dallas College. To be honest, it is a lot to take on — but with diligence, patience, determination, and lots of hours of studying, you can be successful in anything that you do.”


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Zlatko Prijic, RRT

Pulmonary Rehab Coordinator Baylor University Medical Center
“I think I'd recommend El Centro to anybody, and I always do. If someone wants to go into respiratory or wants to learn more about respiratory, I point them in that direction.”
Respiratory Care Program
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Jose (Josey) George, RCIS, LMRT

Registered Cardiovascular Invasive Specialist Baylor Garland Hospital
“My training and education at El Centro provided me with the knowledge and skills required to perform my job very well as an invasive cardiovascular specialist. The best part of my job is the satisfaction I gain at the end of each day, due to the fact that I’ve made a difference in my patients’ and their families’ lives by being a part of the lifesaving medical team.”
Invasive Cardiovascular Technology

Lupe Ortiz, RRT, NPS

Respiratory Care Practitioner Baylor University Medical Center
“I chose El Centro one, it was closer to home. It was a little more affordable than going to somewhere out of state or somewhere else. Just those two things were, were the main thing, the reason why I chose to go to El Centro. I think El Centro did an excellent job of preparing me for going into the workforce.”
Respiratory Care Program
Margaret Lembcke

Margaret Lembcke

Health Information Associate II, Parkland Health and Hospital System, Dallas and Baylor Medical Center at Irving
“There’s not a thing I don’t use from the information I learned in the Medical Front Office program. The classes did a very good job of teaching skills that we’d really need. We were always learning from people who have worked in the field, not just learned information in a classroom.”
Medical Front Office
Adam Carpenter
Adam Carpenter
Medical Laboratory Technology student, El Centro

Health Professions Readiness
School of Health Sciences
Updated September 22, 2026