Meet Our Instructors
Meet Our Instructors
Raquel Alvela
HCA: CLINICAL INSTRUCTOR Raquel achieved her Bachelors of Science in Physical Therapy in the Philippines before immigrating to Canada. She began her career here as a live-in caregiver and didn’t waste any time re-establishing herself within BC’s Healthcare system. Graduating as class valedictorian from Drake Medox College’s HCA program, and then from her LPN program … Read MoreMarivic Arciaga
Health Care Assistant (HCA) Marivic graduated with her Bachelor of Science in Nursing in 1990 in the Philippines and spent time working in Pakistan as a surgical nurse before immigrating to Canada in 1996. Here she achieved her LPN Diploma and has been working in various health care settings including supporting new refugees from different … Read MoreCESAR BALCE
Health Care Assistant (HCA) Cesar possesses over 16 years of nursing experience in diverse healthcare settings including Acute Care, Assisted Living and Complex Care and is currently working with the health authority as a Nursing Supervisor in Community Care. His extensive experience in the field is complemented by over 15 years as an HCA and … Read MoreVirginia Carino
HEALTH CARE ASSISTANT PROGRAM (HCA) Virginia originally obtained her nursing training in the Philippines, and then began her career in Canada as a Licensed Practical Nurse nine years ago. She remains very active and current in her profession working as a Care Coordinator in a seniors’ residence. She joined the Drake Medox College team as … Read MoreJESSA CARLOS
HEALTH CARE ASSISTANT (HCA) Prior to becoming a Licensed Practical Nurse in 2018, Jessa volunteered in a long-term care facility for 2 years where she realized her passion for the Healthcare field. In addition to teaching the HCA program at Drake Medox College, she is also working as an LPN providing social services and nursing … Read MoreCindy Cook
ENGLISH LANGUAGE PROGRAMS Working with HCA and ESL-HCA students from different areas of the globe at Drake Medox College has been an incredibly rewarding experience for Cindy. Upon earning a Degree in Education and a Specialist Qualification in Teaching English as a Second Language at the University of Toronto, she took her knowledge, skills and … Read MoreSuccess Story
Program: ESL / HCA
Drake Medox College helped me to achieve my main goal – to become a Healthcare Assistant. They helped me also to become more confident in aspects of speaking and understanding. The ESL-HCA Program at Drake Medox College is the best study program I’ve been to. My Instructors were very supportive.
My first impression of the ESL Program was “same old basic English again,” but I was wrong. I thought I didn’t need it because I can speak English. The ESL classes helped me to know how to pronounce properly, use proper grammar and even to create a formal paragraph. The important thing that the ESL Program did for me is to boost my confidence and to mold me into “a chocolate diamond” as Ate Myrine always says. The ESL-HCA Program is worth it and I enjoyed every class I attended.
In several months I developed as an open-minded person, a knowledgeable student, a passionate Healthcare practitioner and a fluent user of the English language. As I move toward my new career, the ESL Program contributed a big part to my future work because I have learned how to be a good listener, a good reader and a good communicator.
Indeed, I have become “ a diamond.” I am very thankful to Drake Medox College and my supportive Instructors for helping me along the way!
~ Jeanne Parilla ESL - HCA











