Dallas College

Student Experience: Marvis Bellagwa, CNA, LVN

“As a certified nurse’s aide (CNA), I was looking to further my education in a way that would help me financially. The Vocational Nursing program came to mind. ‘It’s just 12 months,’ I told myself. 

“Coming into the program, I didn’t know what to expect. The best part is when you meet people you’ve never seen before, and everyone works together for a common goal. The instructors are so helpful and make you feel welcome.

“My education has helped me so much. It is tough, but it gives you the right training and the confidence to go into the world. I learned to never quit. If it gets too tough, ask questions, seek help and talk to your instructors. 

“I definitely recommend this program to others. It’s not just about the Vocational Nursing certificate; this program prepares you for the world. I feel so proud to say ‘Dallas College’ when people ask me which school I attended.

“There are no awards in my job, but I will say I get a personal sense of accomplishment for the work I do. When I get a smile from a resident, then I know I am doing a good job.” 

Marvis Bellagwa attended Dallas College and took several online courses before earning her Vocational Nursing certificate. In her job at Golden Acres: The Dallas Home for Jewish Aged, she assists in assessing, developing, implementing and evaluating direct care of residents, helping to maintain the quality of service that is in accordance with local, state and federal regulations. She also helps to prepare, administer and document doctor-prescribed medications and treatments. She can initiate and conduct emergency measures required to stabilize a resident’s condition. Marvis plans to complete the LVN to RN “Bridge” program to become a registered nurse.


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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
Marvis Bellagwa
Marvis Bellagwa, CNA, LVN
Licensed Vocational Nurse Golden Acres: The Dallas Home for Jewish Aged
Nursing
School of Health Sciences
Updated September 10, 2026