Dallas College

Student Experience: Ksenia Banes, CVT

“I am a CVT (Certified Veterinary Technician) and currently work as an ophthalmology technician. None of this would have been possible if I had not attended Dallas College. 

“My experience in the Vet Tech program prepared me to both pass my boards and also feel prepared for a real-life career. It helped me see many opportunities for veterinary technicians. There is a common misconception that all graduates of vet tech programs go on to work at a general small-animal practice, but the truth is that your options are endless as long as you are willing to continue to learn! 

“My experience at Dallas College was both challenging and rewarding. I gained knowledge and confidence and felt supported and helped along the way by my instructors. I have very warm memories of attending the large-animal lab and meeting my teachers and other students. I felt like I already knew them, and, better yet, I felt like they knew me! 

“Thanks to Dallas College, I doubt I will stop my education and professional growth. I've just started looking into additional certification as a Veterinary Technology Specialist (VTS) in ophthalmology, one of the newest additions to veterinary specialties. I have confidence and motivation as well as the skills necessary to study and learn out of the classroom. I've gained all that through Dallas College. I love telling about my experience with Cedar Valley's program. I have recommended it to others and will continue to do so.” 

Ksenia Banes earned an associate degree in Veterinary Technology in 2014 from Cedar Valley through its distance learning program and drove in from Illinois for graduation. She worked at a small animal practice for a year before applying to the veterinary ophthalmology practice where she currently works in Wheeling, Illinois.


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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
Ksenia Banes
Ksenia Banes, CVT
Ophthalmology Technician Eye Care for Animals Wheeling, Ill.
Veterinary Technology
School of Health Sciences
Updated September 10, 2026