Respiratory Therapy

I am incredibly grateful for the respiratory program at East Los Angeles College. From the moment I enrolled, I was welcomed into a supportive and engaging learning environment. The hands-on training and real-world experiences provided by the program were invaluable. I gained practical skills that have equipped me to excel in my career.

The program is Incredibly comprehensive, offering invaluable hands-on experience in both the NICU and adult critical care. I had the opportunity to work alongside experienced professionals, learning the intricacies of managing patients in these critical settings.

Thanks to the guidance and resources available through the program, I was able to achieve my goals and secure a position in the respiratory field shortly after graduation. I highly recommend the respiratory program at East Los Angeles College to anyone looking to make a meaningful impact in healthcare.

The Respiratory Therapy Program at ELAC was instrumental in achieving my career goals. It provided comprehensive knowledge and hands-on learning, equipping me with the practical skills and confidence needed to thrive in a clinical environment. The instructors were not only knowledgeable but also genuinely invested in our success. Their emphasis on clinical practice helped me develop the critical thinking and clinical skills essential for my role. I am now proud to serve as the Pulmonary Physiology Lab Supervisor at LA General Hospital—a milestone made possible by the strong foundation I received at ELAC.

Hello,

My name is Jenrri Mendoza and I am an East Los Angeles College (ELAC) alumni with a degree in respiratory care. Like many students in college, I had a vast interest in many majors offered by the institution. I soon became interested in respiratory care after meeting someone with a chronic respiratory illness called cystic fibrosis and was promptly steered towards the respiratory therapy department by one of my science professors. Shortly after starting the respiratory therapy program, I realized how important and necessary the role of a respiratory care practitioner (RCP) is; and although I was hesitant about the courses, it was comforting and a great aid to have highly educated and experienced academicians that established various learning methods that help grasp and understand any complex subjects and make them achievable while easing any doubts of not being able to thrive as an RCP in the clinical setting. As a rapidly growing field with new equipment and therapies surfacing every year, the respiratory therapy program at ELAC would cover everything necessary from the antiquated to the up-to-date methods of providing optimal respiratory care. Additionally, the instructors would not hesitate to acquiesce and answer any questions, basic or advanced, in order to provide the students with the best learning experience possible. Furthermore, having been blessed to be part of the respiratory therapy program at ELAC and learning from exceptional professors, I made the choice to further advance my education by obtaining a bachelor degree in respiratory care and continue pursuing medicine both clinically and institutionally.

CHAIRPERSON & DIRECTOR OF CLINICAL EDUCATION
Respiratory Therapy Department

Education:
MPH, Adult Health Education & Epidemiology, California State University, Fullerton
BS, Health Sciences, Touro University California
AS, Respiratory Therapy, Mt. San Antonio College 

Email: hainesms@elac.edu
Phone: (323) 265-8711

PROGRAM DIRECTOR
Respiratory Therapy Department

Education:
CAGS, Education Leadership Management, Northeastern University
MEd, Adult Education & Administration, Jones International University
Respiratory Therapy, Mt. San Antonio College
BA, Economics, California State University, Los Angeles
AA, Liberal Arts, East Los Angeles College

Email: gonzala22@elac.edu
Phone: (323) 265-8647

ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR
Respiratory Therapy Department

Education:
BS, Health Sciences, California State University, Los Angeles
AS, Respiratory Therapy, East Los Angeles College

Email: Chhunb@elac.edu
Phone: (323) 267-3713