Dallas College

Student Experience: Loni McElhinney

“I became interested in the Medical Laboratory Technology program because I had always enjoyed the laboratory components of my science classes, and I wanted a career in the medical field.  “Once I was accepted into the program, I found the instructors to be personable and knowledgeable, and they made me feel well prepared for my clinical rotations. Lisa Lock and Denise Griffin always make sure that everyone understands the material and really want their students to succeed. 

“I believe that my education from El Centro will enable me to easily find employment in a laboratory when I finish the program. There are so many areas and options in the laboratory field, and I personally hope to work in microbiology. 

“I have applied to the distance learning program at the University of Texas Medical Branch to earn a Bachelor of Science degree in clinical laboratory sciences. I feel confident that the Medical Laboratory Technology program at El Centro prepared me for higher education in the laboratory sciences.” 

Loni McElhinney received her associate degree in Medical Laboratory Technology in June 2008 from El Centro and was named the program’s 2008 Outstanding Student. Immediately after graduation, she was hired as an MLT by the blood bank at Medical Center of Plano, where she types patients’ blood and tests it for antibodies to ensure that they don’t have a negative transfusion reaction when receiving donor blood.


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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
Loni McElhinney
Loni McElhinney
Medical Laboratory Technician Medical Center of Plano Blood Bank
Medical Laboratory Technology
School of Health Sciences
Updated July 28, 2026