Dallas College

Student Experience: Brittany Petruska, RCP

“I earned a Respiratory Care degree from El Centro — an outstanding program that has prepared me for my future. The Respiratory Care program is exciting and challenging, and the faculty truly believes in and wants each student to succeed. The faculty went above and beyond to prepare us for our “real-life” careers. 

“The program at El Centro covered a wide variety of all aspects of respiratory care. It not only prepared me academically, but also for all situations. It focused on critical thinking that has helped me daily in my career at BUMC. Understanding disease processes and having a clear understanding of mechanical ventilation is core in this career. 

“I would suggest that every student take the time to explore Respiratory Care when choosing a career path. This is a highly rewarding career that has numerous opportunities. This program is fast-paced and sometimes difficult — especially with a young child and family — but you must keep pushing through and reach out for help when you need it. Make a few close study buddies and most importantly, learn and understand the material. Ask for help if you need it. After working hard and pushing through — the reward is indescribable. 

“I go to work every day excited knowing that I will help someone. My knowledge is constantly evolving and every day is a new adventure. I honestly cannot think of anything I’d rather be doing.”


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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
Brittany Petruska
Brittany Petruska, RCP
Registered Respiratory Therapist, Baylor University Medical Center, Baylor Scott and White, Dallas
Respiratory Care Program
School of Health Sciences
Updated September 10, 2026