I was born in Uzbekistan and at age 7 my family and I were forced to escape to Russia. We lived as refugees there and life was very difficult. We had no access to healthcare and I was not allowed to go to school past the 9th grade. In 2005, we moved to the United States and, although I struggled with the language and cultural differences, I very much appreciated the opportunities this country provided me. I have been dreaming about working in healthcare since I was a little girl. My husband knew my dream so he helped me find Pima Medical Institute and signed me up for their Phlebotomy program. My life was changed forever! I was able to get a job at a level 1 trauma center and help my family. In my position, I was able to observe the respiratory therapists help people and even save lives. So, several years later I came back to PMI and enrolled in their Respiratory Therapy program. English is my fourth language, so it was not an easy journey! Often I was in class all day, cared for my family in the evening and helped my children with homework, and then stayed up all night studying. I wanted to be successful and make my family proud!
I could not have made it and been successful without the help of my PMI instructors. They taught me so much! Today, my dream has come true and I'm so thankful for the support of my family and my PMI family and this country that has given me such a wonderful opportunity! I go to work each day with a smile on my face.
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After retiring from the military in 2007 and working ten years as a corrections officer in a supermax prison, I decided it was time for something new. In 2019, I used my military education benefits to enroll in Pima Medical Institute's Phlebotomy program (PHL). That led to Medical Assistant (MA), then Health Care Administration (HCA) and finally Veterinary Assistant (VTA). I also enrolled in Respiratory Therapy (RT) for a short time, but I realized it was not the right fit. In total, I completed four programs at Pima Medical.
The reason I kept coming back was simple: the people. There's a real sense of community here. When I finished my last program, I felt like something was missing. I applied for a position on campus, not expecting much, but the team saw potential in me and offered me a role in financial aid. At first, I thought I wasn't qualified. They told me they could teach the technical side, but what they really needed was someone who could connect with students. That gave me the confidence to accept the job.
I came here to learn, and I ended up staying to serve. Now I get to work with students every day, and I always try to check in with the ones who stand out. I let them know they're not alone, that someone here is rooting for them. It's not just about numbers or forms. It is about connection.
Math used to be something I wasn't crazy about, but now I use it every day and even enjoy it. Back when I started the Phlebotomy program, I would have laughed if you told me I would be in business attire, in an office, helping students plan their futures. This job changed my perspective. I come in each day not just to work, but to make a difference.
I tell my boss all the time: if it is not here, it is not anywhere. Pima Medical isn't just where I studied - It's where I belong.
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I came to Houston two years ago to take a position as Director of Social Services for a foster care agency. When I arrived I found out the agency was on probation with the state of Texas. It wasn't long before they closed their office and I was out of a job. I hold a bachelor's in Criminal Justice and a master's in Counseling Psychology, so I began looking for a job in my field of social service. After a year with no success, I thought ... What can I do? While in college I had a job as a phlebotomist. The problem was, my training was little more than a two weeks, bring in your family and friends and practice doing sticks. I knew if I received good training and became nationally certified, I could go anywhere and get a job. I never wanted to be without a job again. So, I researched, found PMI and signed up. My experience at PMI was excellent!
While on my externship I met a nurse practitioner who was ready to open a new clinic. I was hired part-time and quickly worked my way up to my current position as a fulltime office manager. I came in with a skill set as a phlebotomist, but my background in social services has been a real plus. If I see a need, I do it. I enjoy tying my counseling and medical skills together.
I'm thankful for my training at PMI. My instructor, Mrs. Tobin, was phenomenal! I was at a low point when I entered her program and she encouraged me to do my best and believed in me. She's a wonderful instructor and I'm thankful for my experience at Pima.
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In 1995 my husband was stationed in Texas and I started a nursing program with a local college. After a year into my program, we were relocated to Germany. Continuing my education over there was a big challenge because there were no colleges close by. Eventually we got back to the states and I was ready to get back into school. I reached out to Pima Medical Institute with the determination to start as soon as possible. I enrolled into the Pharmacy Technology program with the goal of graduating with honors. I knew I had to work extra hard to reach my goal. After graduation, my son was getting sick often due to the weather here. His doctor recommended we move to a different climate to decrease the chances of more serious illnesses. We moved our family to North Carolina for a new beginning.
I started my Pharmacy Technician career with Walgreens where I worked for three months before being offered a position at a healthcare clinic. After gaining more experience, I was offered the Pharmacy Technician Management position. Later my family and I moved back to Washington and I contacted PMI to help me with job placement assistance. PMI offered me a position to be a substitute teacher and today, I am a permanent evening instructor for the Pharmacy Technician program and I couldn't be happier.
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I wasn't interested in a typical 4 year college. I wanted to get into a field, learn a career, and get out. While looking into Pima and deciding on a program, I just happened to have a dental appointment. Believe it or not, I wasn't a big fan of going to the dentist. I had a dental assistant that made my experience so comfortable and easy, my appointment just flew by. I decided I wanted to be able to do that for people.
My instructors at Pima were very thorough and totally prepared me for my profession. I attended school 4 hours a day and that worked for me. It was an intense program but I was able to obtain a career in just a few months.
Over the course of the next 4-5 years I worked for a peridontist and several dentists. The periodontist had a very special way of doing things and really emphasized educating his patients. I learned so much from him and it changed my perspective on dentistry.
One day I noticed PMI was looking for a DA instructor and I decided to apply. They believed in me and I became their youngest instructor. Now, I have an opportunity to share the knowledge I have and teach my students how to help people. I love what I do. I get to help make a difference in people's lives. That's what Pima did for me - it changed my life!
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Upon graduation from my radiography associates program in the state of Virginia, I was hired at a local hospital. After a time, I became very interested in pursuing an instructor position at my institution but found a bachelor's degree was required. My former program director handed me a brochure from Pima Medical Institute and told me it was 100% online. I called Donna Luebke in admissions and she signed me up for their BSRS program.
PMI's program was flexible and provided me the opportunity to continue working fulltime. Many of the topics we studied were relevant to my work place. In fact, one of our projects was to prepare a workplace improvement. I choose to totally revamp our workplace training program. Afterwards, I submitted it to our state director and they actually adopted it!
While in the program I left the hospital and started working for a mobile radiology company. After completing my bachelor's they promoted me to lead supervisor for half the state and later offered me the position of director of operations for the state of Virginia.
A funny thing happened in one of our discussions when an online classmate began explaining about a situation at her workplace that started sounding familiar. She had a pretty common name, so I didn't realize until I sought her out at work that we were in the same online program out of Arizona working at the same hospital in Virginia.
I am currently working for the Center for Disease Control. I travel the country doing all types of screening for a project called the NHANES (National Health and Nutrition and Exam Survey). This team establishes national standards for things like growth charts for children. In the 70's their survey results showed high levels of lead in our populations, which resulted in requiring unleaded gasoline. I'm currently using custom ground breaking machinery and devices as I travel the country.
Pima Medical Institute's bachelor's degree prepared me and provided opportunities to move up in my career. For this I am thankful!
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As a proud Pima Medical Institute BSRT graduate, my journey from an associate's degree in Respiratory Therapy (RT), to a bachelor's degree, to achieving my dream job as a Critical Care Transport Respiratory Therapist at Children's Mercy has been nothing short of remarkable. While in school for my associate's at Concorde College, they highly encouraged us to continue our education and recommended Pima Medical's online Bachelor of Science in Respiratory Therapy (BSRT). I knew a bachelor's would increase my salary and would also be helpful for future supervisory or management positions. The flexibility of online classes made it manageable for me to work full-time at Salem Health, a level II trauma center with a level III NICU, while pursuing my degree.
My dream of working in medical transport began at age 17, when I was a volunteer patient for the local fire department and experienced being flighted out of our neighborhood. After years of experience as an RT, I landed my dream job. As a Critical Care Transport RT, I participate in various types of transports, from helicopters and fixed wing, to jets and ground transportation, proving support to hospitals nationwide. Children's Mercy in Kansas City is one of the busiest transport teams, covering a wide range of patients including neonates, pediatrics, maternal and fetal cases. Working with limited resources challenges me to think on my feet and be creative with patient care. The transport team, comprised of brilliant minds, requires continuous education, certifications, and simulations to improve patient care. During my downtime, I enjoy visiting former patients and their families and witnessing their progress.
I love to do PR at community events where I hope to inspire young girls to pursue a fulfilling career in healthcare. I'm appreciative for the role Pima Medical played in shaping my success and making my dream job a reality.
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After being a truck driver and construction worker for 20 plus years, I made a promise to my mother before she died that I would go back to school. For nearly five years I passed Pima Medical Institute on my daily drive, and finally found the courage to pull in and take the pretest for the Nursing program. Going back to school at age 50 was scary, but I loved the atmosphere, the instructors and my classmates at Pima Medical. The instructors did an exceptional and extraordinary job preparing us for the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX).
I applied at Banner Desert in Mesa where I had completed my clinicals and I was hired. It was 2019, and I was immediately thrown into the COVID Pandemic. A year later I decided to become a traveling nurse. Initially, I worried I might not be qualified enough or have enough experience, but I quickly got over that. Every place is different, but most of the core staff really appreciates the relief that travelers provide. I have been to 10 different places in four years. I'm considered a Banner Staffing Traveler within the Banner facilities nationwide and I call Banner Tucson my home, as it is where I spend the most time. Some of the challenges of being a traveler are finding a place to live and being away from family and friends. But, I am getting experience and confidence in different facilities and becoming more adaptable and flexible in my career. Plus, I am making a great salary.
Pima Medical Institute changed my life forever. I made some lifelong friends during my experience, I had some incredible, humble, giving and caring instructors and I am truly grateful!
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After high school, I spent four years juggling two jobs-one at Office Max and the other at a bakery-when one day, my aunt called and asked if I wanted to go back to school with her. I had no idea what she meant, but I agreed. That's how I found Pima Medical Institute. I chose the Medical Assistant (MA) program because, when my dad was ill, I saw firsthand the impact healthcare professionals can have on a person's life. I wanted to do that too, and the program was only nine months long, which made it a perfect fit for me.
I loved every minute of the MA program! The hands-on training felt so different from high school, and I found myself excited to learn. In particular, I discovered I had a passion for injections and blood draws. When it was time for my externship, I was nervous, but my head MA was incredibly supportive, and I quickly found that it all came naturally to me.
Toward the end of the program our homework assignment was to apply for three MA positions. Afterwards, I didn't think much about it, but to my surprise, Saguaro Dermatology called and hired me. Dermatology is fast-paced and challenging, but I love it. My favorite part is working with skin cancers and assisting in surgeries. I also enjoy my role in the lab, processing tissue samples as a histotech.
Since relocating to Tucson, I easily found another dermatology position, and I couldn't be happier. Pima Medical set me on a path I'm truly passionate about, and I'd do it all over again. If you're thinking about a medical career, don't hesitate-come to Pima Medical. You won't regret it!
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I grew up in an unsupportive environment, constantly reminded of my limitations. After dabbling in community college and an unfinished nursing program, I found myself divorced with two young children, wondering what I could do to provide for my family. That's when I discovered Pima Medical Institute and enrolled in the Medical Secretary program. Within three months, I graduated and landed a job in the medical field, giving me the stability I desperately needed. After moving to Las Vegas, I continued to grow my career-first as an office manager and later doing billing. One day, I learned that Pima Medical was launching a Respiratory Therapy program. I jumped at the chance to enroll, excited to take my career to the next level.
Balancing school, work, and motherhood was tough. My kids and I would do homework together, and I showed them it's never too late to change your path. After graduating, I was hired at Summerlin Hospital, where I worked for 14 years. Watching the devastation in New York, when the pandemic hit in 2020, I knew I had to step up and help. I was hired as a traveler at New York Presbyterian Cornell, one of the top hospitals in the country. It was intense-over 230 patients on ventilators when I arrived -but I learned and grew through it all. While on the frontlines, I was also pursuing my Bachelor of Science in Respiratory Therapy through Pima Medical. I faced moments of doubt, but with the support of my program director, I pushed through. My son and I graduated with our bachelor's degrees in the same year-a moment of immense pride for my family.
I now work for the Nevada Donor Network, a new and upcoming field for RT's, turning tragedy into hope through organ donation. I feel a deep sense of purpose, knowing that I help give families a second chance. Thanks to Pima Medical, I've built a career that I love, and I'll never stop learning or growing.
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Before going back to school, my life wasn't on the best path. After high school, I planned to become a nurse, but deep down I knew it wasn't what I really wanted. Eventually, I moved out on my own, but I found myself surrounded by the wrong people and making choices I wasn't proud of. It wasn't until I met my fiance that I seriously considered going back to school. He encouraged me to think about my future and what would truly make me happy. After some soul-searching, I decided to look for a Dental Assistant program - and for the first time, I felt excited about my future.
I found Pima Medical Institute through an online search, and after seeing so many great reviews from alumni, I knew it was the right place for me. Enrolling was the best decision I could have made. My experience at Pima Medical was nothing short of amazing - the support from my classmates, instructors, and family kept me going. My instructor, Margarita, was especially supportive. In fact, I wouldn't have made it through without her guidance.
I was excited for my externship at Associates in Family Dentistry and grateful to be hired upon completion. As I plan to move soon, I'm holding off on furthering my education for now, but I'm eager to explore my options. I am a proud graduate of Pima Medical and my ultimate goal is to build a successful career while growing my family with my fiance.
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I completed my bachelor's degree in child development and worked at child care centers for a number of years, but something inside me always longed to be in the medical field. My dad was a physical therapist assistant and later became an RN, so I had lots of exposure to the medical field. But, it's very difficult to switch careers. After a coworker told me about Pima Medical Institute, I began taking steps to enroll in the Medical Assistant (MA) program. I was still working full-time so the hybrid MA program, which offered online learning and the opportunity to attend classes two nights a week, was exactly what I needed. I loved my experience as a student and appreciated my instructors. It was tough attending classes and working full-time, but I was diligent with my studies and disciplined myself to study on weekends. When it came time for my clinicals, I quit my child care job and began applying all I had learned in my classes at a family medicine clinic. The people I worked with really helped me and I was able to apply the skills I had learned, gain experience and also increase my confidence. It was probably my favorite part of my education.
Finding a job ended up being a lot easier than I had anticipated. I am currently working as an MA at Parker Pediatrics and Adolescence. I love my job! I am able to marry all my experience working with children and my new career in the medical field. I really enjoy the people I work with and it's providing me a ton of opportunities for further growth and learning. I'm not finished with education, so I am in the process of getting my bachelor of science in nursing. Pima Medical gave me my start in the medical field. Being able to work full time while obtaining my MA certificate was so worth it and provided a jumping off point for me into the medical field.
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