Student Experience: Curtis D. Carey, RRT

“I had been taking basic classes for a couple of years and was interested in doing something in the medical field. I had a few relatives who developed some respiratory problems, and I became interested in the Respiratory Care program. 

“I enjoyed the variety of campuses, the large number of classes and times that were available, and the dedication and quality of the instructors. The two degrees and knowledge that I acquired have helped me give quality care to patients as a respiratory therapist and move forward in my career and prepared me for the challenges of going even further with my education. 

“The thing I learned the most from my education was that with hard work, dedication and the right motivation, the world is wide open as far as what can be achieved. I would like to thank Kande Mann and Gary Peschka for guiding me through my experiences, giving me the tools I need to succeed and helping me become the person I am today. 

“I would recommend the Respiratory Care program at El Centro to anyone who wants a challenging and fulfilling education that you can benefit from the rest of your life.”

Curtis Carey attended El Centro, Eastfield and Richland, earning an Associate in Applied Sciences degree in Respiratory Care at El Centro in 1999 and an additional associate degree from El Centro. He is working on a bachelor’s degree in respiratory care from Midwestern State University.

In his current job as a respiratory care team leader at Parkland Hospital, he manages and guides therapists in their daily work and helps to meet the challenges of care for critical patients in a variety of areas including the emergency, medical, cardiac, burn, surgical and neonatal intensive care areas.


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Alyssa Young

Alyssa Young

Nursing Student and Athlete
“Community college gives you the opportunity to grow into adulthood while figuring out what you want to do with your life. With all of the resources available, it gives everyone a stable place to begin their college journey.”
Nursing
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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
Alice Madden

Alice Madden, CST, FAST

Certified Surgical Technologist Methodist Dallas Medical Center
“I will continue to be involved and to encourage and motivate surgical technologists to be the best they can be in all surgical specialties. I want to encourage all surgical technologists to become certified and become members of the AST and the Texas State Assembly.”
Surgical Technologist
Prayuth Phang

Prayuth Phang, RT(R)

Radiologic Technologist Community Portable X-ray Inc.
“Dallas College has a lot of programs for people who want to have a better life with education. I strongly recommend other students to join this program — they have the best teachers who really care about their students, as well as financial help available. I love what I’m doing, and I will continue doing it to serve people.”
General Studies, Radiologic Sciences
Curtis Carey
Curtis D. Carey, RRT
Respiratory Care Team Leader Parkland Health & Hospital System

Respiratory Care Program
School of Health Sciences
Updated July 28, 2026