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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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Kim Nguyen

Oanh Kim Nguyen, MLT(ASCP)

Medical Laboratory Technician Methodist Medical Center of Dallas
“My first experience at community college was taking ESL classes at Richland and Brookhaven, which were close to where I lived. Then when I started exploring what kind of program I wanted to take for a career change, I saw Medical Laboratory Technology and transferred to El Centro ... I always tell people who are thinking about community college to think about Medical Laboratory Technology, and I tell them about my personal experience with the program. It’s a stable job, in a quiet environment with a lot less stress than many other medically related fields, and the people are very friendly and professional. I really love my job.”
English as a Second Language (ESL and ESOL), Medical Laboratory Technology
Dolores Schueler

Dolores (Dee) Schueler, BSN, LVN, RN, CRNI

Director of Nurses USBioservices
“Our instructors had high expectations and saw our potential. They let us know that it wasn’t going to be easy, but it wasn’t going to be insurmountable either.”
Nursing
Sylvia Moreno

Sylvia Moreno, BSN, RN

Director of HIV Services Parkland Hospital of Dallas
“Community college gave me everything I needed to take and succeed in classes for an advanced degree.”
Nursing
Shawn Terry

Shawn Terry, B.A., RRT, RCP

Respiratory Care Practitioner, Parkland Health and Hospital System
“Respiratory therapists are not just technicians trained to deliver treatments and therapies with different types of equipment. We have to truly comprehend a wide range of topics and how they relate to a patient’s condition.”
Respiratory Care Program
Curtis Carey
Curtis D. Carey, RRT
Respiratory Care Team Leader Parkland Health & Hospital System

Respiratory Care Program
School of Health Sciences
Updated November 25, 2025