Faculty Bio
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Eric Banes, R.T.(R)(T), CRT, (CMD)
Adjunct Faculty Member
Eric Banes, an adjunct faculty member in the LACC Radiologic Technology Program, has continued to utilize his expertise and passion for educating and inspiring students for 12 years.
Eric holds a bachelor’s degree in radiation science and licenses in Registered Technologist (R.T.), Radiation Therapy (R)(T), and Certified Medical Dosimetrist (CMD).
Beyond his academic accomplishments and teaching achievements, Eric maintains his supervision and patient care and safety administration employment role at Kaiser Permanente in Southern California.
Eric Banes is dedicated to positively impacting healthcare by empowering his students to become confident, competent, and compassionate radiologic technologists.
Vanessa Havakian, R.T.(R)(F)(M), CRT
Adjunct Faculty Member
Vanessa Havakian is an adjunct faculty and a former LACC Radiologic Technology program graduate. Prior to attending LACC, she earned her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from CSUN. Her passion is to pay it forward and help new students find their path in the Radiologic Sciences field and guide them in the right direction.
Fredrick D. Lee II, MBA, MPA, R.T.(R), CRA, FACHE
Adjunct Faculty Member
Dr. Fredrick D. Lee II, Ed.D., R.T. (R), CRA, FACHE, is a distinguished healthcare leader renowned for his transformative work and unwavering commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI). His academic credentials include an MBA in Marketing from the University of Phoenix, an MPA in Executive Healthcare Administration from the University of Texas at Tyler, and a Doctorate of Education in Organizational Change and Leadership from the University of Southern California.
Dr. Lee’s professional journey is marked by significant leadership roles, including his tenure as the Regional Assistant Director of Diagnostic Imaging Operations at Kaiser Permanente. In this capacity, he spearheaded strategic initiatives, developed compliance programs, and streamlined operations, resulting in increased imaging capacity and service delivery improvements. As Chief Policy Officer at Think Neuro, he continues to champion inclusive healthcare policies and forge strategic partnerships to effect policy changes.
In addition to his healthcare operations roles, Dr. Lee is the CEO and a dedicated Change Practitioner at Change Your Life...Coaching & Consulting, where he focuses on building inclusivity, psychological safety, emotional intelligence development, and organizational excellence. His teaching role as an adjunct professor at Los Angeles City College further highlights his commitment to education and student success.
Dr. Lee’s notable achievements have earned him recognition and prestigious awards, such as the Distinguished Alum & Alumnus of the Year for Loma Linda University's School of Allied Health Professions in 2020 and the Leader Excellent Achievement Distinction (L.E.A.D.) Awards from Kaiser Permanente - SCPMG in 2017. He is passionate about leading compliance and operational excellence programs and advocating for equitable healthcare services.
His certifications include Prosci® Certified Change Practitioner, Certified Positive Psychology Health and Well-being Coach, and Certified Radiology Administrator. Dr. Lee is also a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives (FACHE). He is a Certified Radiologic Technologist with a Fluoroscopy certification from the California Department of Public Health. He is a registered radiographer (R) in the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT).
Dr. Lee’s contributions to the field are also evident in his extensive professional speaking engagements, where he addresses critical topics such as patient advocacy, psychological safety, emotional intelligence, and inclusive leadership.
Joyce Obeng, R.T.(R)(F)(M)(CIIP)(CT), CRT, MSHI
Full-Time Faculty Member/ Clinical Coordinator/Alternate RSO
Joyce Obeng is an alumna of the Los Angeles City College's Radiologic Technology Program (2014). Joyce has an A.S. in Radiologic Technology from LACC, a B.S. in Medical Imaging and Healthcare Administration from Mercy College of Ohio (2017), and a Master's in Health Informatics from Loma Linda University, CA. (2019).
Joyce's key responsibilities include being the Clinical Coordinator, part-time teaching, and Mammography Project Manager.
Pornsakdi Thammaraks
Health Sciences Counselor
Pornsakdi (Pornsa) Thammaraks earned his Bachelors degree in Psychology with minors in Educational Psychology and Asian American studies from UC Santa Barbara. He then went on to earn his Masters in Counseling from CSU Long Beach. His professional experiences include counseling at San Jose State University, UC Irvine, Los Angeles Harbor College, El Camino College, and also here at LA City College, when he started as an adjunct counselor in 2016. Pornsa has worked with many student populations and programs, but spent the past eight years working with nursing and health science students at various community colleges.
In his free time, he enjoys traveling, cooking/baking, and playing tennis.
Julie Washenik, R.T.(R)(F)(M), CRT, MHA
Department Chair/Program Director/Radiation Safety Officer (RSO)
Julie Washenik is an alumna of the Los Angeles City College's Radiologic Technology Program (2014). Julie has an A.S. in Radiologic Technology from LACC, an A.S. in Computer Science from La Guardia Community College, NY, a B.S. in Digital Medical & Communications from NYU, NY, and an Executive MHA from USC, CA.
Julie's key responsibilities include teaching full-time in the program and administrative duties as the Department Chair, such as program development and student learning outcomes. Her priority as a leader includes inclusiveness, integrity, and the ability to train and mentor others to serve their community. Julie is also the current Work Environment Committee (WEC) Chair and sits on the District WEC Committee.
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Office Hours
Hours vary by semester. Please refer to your instructor's course syllabus.