I once dreamt of a high power job working on the top floor of a sky scraper. I graduated with my bachelor's and obtained a good position with a fortune 500 company where I learned valuable information, but felt unfulfilled. I had a desire to help people and make a difference, so when my mother suggested looking into occupational therapy I jumped in feet first.
I enrolled in Pima Medical Institute's Occupational Therapy Assistant program because their accelerated curriculum, class schedule and location fit my needs. My experience was quite different than my bachelor's had been, in that the instructors had on-the-job experience and there was significantly more hands-on learning. As students, we were encouraged to become involved in the OT community and I continue to play an active role by holding board positions and sitting on ad hoc committees in our state associations. Through networking, I received a position in subacute rehabilitation and worked my way into management.
Currently, I am an OTA instructor back at the PMI campus where I once attended. It wasn't that long ago I sat in those same chairs and, consequently, I understand the challenges and pressures my students face. I didn't just find a job; I found a profession and a career I am proud of and extremely happy to support on a daily basis. I am thankful to PMI for the education I received and now for the opportunity to continue to educate others in the OTA profession. I'm not in a sky scraper (although my office is on the 5th floor) but I love my job!
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My journey with Pima Medical Institute began unexpectedly while working at Chipotle to fund my dream of attending Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) school. A co-worker there who was attending Pima Medical told me about the Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) program. I had never heard of a PTA before, but I was intrigued and secured an interview the following week and was accepted into the program in early 2012. The deciding factors were the program's affordability and the expedited entry into a career in the medical field.
The PTA program proved demanding, surpassing the rigor of my previous bachelor's degree. Juggling a full-time job alongside the intensive program was challenging, but I knew I had to take my school work seriously in order to be successful in my new career. One thing I appreciated was how dedicated the instructor team was at helping each student be successful. The supportive environment allowed for unlimited questions and open hours on non-class days, facilitating additional preparation for exams.
I secured my first job with Children's Hospital Colorado, despite the advertised requirement of three years of experience. Since 2014, I have been dedicated to Inpatient Rehab Physical Therapist at the Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders. I have also had the privilege of being a Colorado State Physical Therapy Board member since 2019, serving as Vice President for three years (2020, 2021, 2024). Additionally, I contribute to the Advisory Board for Pima Medical's PTA program at the Denver Campus.
My gratitude to my former instructors knows no bounds. Their support, starting from granting me a chance, has been unwavering even a decade after completing the program. I whole heartedly endorse Pima Medical Institute, confident in the transformative journey it offers to aspiring health professionals.
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Weary of working retail, I signed up for MA classes at a local college. Four days before completing the MA program, I had an emergency C section. When I returned, the school told me I'd been dropped from the program and my only option was to start over. I was discouraged and ready to give up when I saw their sign and stopped by Pima Medical Institute. They not only gave me credit for some of my classes, they helped with financial aid and made sure I knew they cared about me.
The MA program was awesome from day one! My instructors understood their subject matter, communicated it well, and had experience in the field. It was such a contrast from my previous school where students were left to learn from each other. I was blown away by the teachers' commitment to making sure we understood the material. Both instructors and staff made it clear they were there to help us succeed!
I really enjoyed the hands on blood draws so I asked for an externship at a clinical laboratory. From the beginning, it was clear my site was fully staffed and was not hiring. But, I looked for opportunities to learn and did my best. When I finished, surprisingly, they called and offered me a position. They explained they were creating a part-time position, so I wouldn't work for anyone else, until their new clinic opened and I could begin full-time.
Thank you, PMI, for doing such a great job of preparing me for my new career!
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I was in the military and later did contract work overseas. Although I had an associate degree in maintenance management and a bachelor's in business and project management, I had difficulty finding and keeping a job here in the states. I kept being laid off or let go because of contracts or downsizing.
I just wanted a career that wasn't here today and gone tomorrow, so I decided to become a Pharmacy Technician. I found PMI one day, came in and registered, and I started the program the following Monday. I was the oldest student -- even older than my instructors -- and I had to relearn how to learn. My instructors helped me stay focused during the fast-paced program, though, and it was a great learning experience!
Thanks to the practice I had at PMI, I caught on quickly while at my externship at the local VA Hospital. I continued to volunteer at the VA until I was hired at Primrose St. Francis Hospital where I'm currently working as a Pharmacy Tech 2. It's very fast-paced; there are 11 floors, and I walk 12-15 thousand steps a day, but I enjoy it! I'm currently working on another bachelor's in health care management. My PMI instructors always encouraged us to continue our education, so I'm keeping my doors open. PMI is a great school and it provided me my start in the medical field!
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Before attending Pima Medical Institute I was waiting tables and wanting more. There had been many nurses in my family and I always thought I wanted to work in the medical field. After doing lots of research, I was excited to find a good Medical Assistant program in Colorado Springs. When I visited PMI, I felt nervous, but everyone made me feel really comfortable, and after talking with admissions and taking the tour, I knew this was the place for me. I had a super good experience as a student. My instructors were great and when I got into my clinicals I just kept thinking, "This is it. I know this is what I want to do forever!"
After graduation I was hired at my externship site and worked in family practice for several years. I took a few years off to have my son and had no trouble getting back into the work force. I am currently a Medical Assistant at Children's Hospital where I work mainly in ENT and Neurology.
I felt really prepared moving into my new profession. I was ready and Pima helped me get there. To all the waitresses out there who want something more ... it's tough to start a new career, but go for it! You won't regret it!
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I grew up in California and at age 18 I fell in love via Facebook with a boy from Seattle. Instead of going to my senior night, I booked a flight to Washington and my boyfriend and I eloped. I had no job, no college education, and no money. I found a job at Albertsons and thus began the cycle of frustrating jobs that didn't pay the bills or offer benefits. A month after moving to Seattle, I became pregnant with our first child. After she was born, I decided I needed a career so I found a Phlebotomy program at another school and enrolled. I did my best to study and care for a young child, but I didn't pass the program. After this I continued to hop around from job to job. When my second daughter was born, I decided to try school again and I found Pima Medical Institute and enrolled in their Phlebotomy Technician program.
The teachers were amazing and so was the school staff. They all had my best interest at heart. I'm a slow learner and my instructors worked with my level of learning. They were always available to help me. I was hired at Labcorp, the site where I completed my externship. I love my job! They work with my schedule allowing me to drop my kids off at school in the mornings. Because PMI gave me a second chance at pursuing Phlebotomy, my husband and I have become financially stable and have even bought a house.
Thank you PMI! You gave me the chance of a lifetime and I don't know where I'd be without you!
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I was in my early 20's, ready to complete a degree in finance when I realized I really didn't want to spend my life sitting behind a desk. I had a few family members working in the radiography field and I noticed they not only had a great career, but they could choose to work in different modalities and had lots of variety in their jobs. I began researching, found Pima Medical Institute's Radiography program and enrolled.
I had wonderful instructors! It's an intense and tough program, but the way the program is structured really makes you feel prepared for your profession. I enjoyed the shorter rotations for clinicals which exposed me to many different areas and modalities. Once I knew what I was looking for, I was able to complete multiple rotations in my area of interest which prepared me for a job at that very location. I was hired at University of New Mexico Hospital (UNMH) and after a year I was promoted to a charge technologist and almost 2 years ago I moved into the role of General Radiology Supervisor. I love the fast-paced environment at UNMH. We're the only trauma one hospital in the state and we see something new every day. I'm not the only Pima Medical graduate in my department, we currently have five employees that were my classmates and each year I hire multiple new Pima Medical new graduates.
Pima Medical provided a great education and really prepared me for the field.
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I was injured while playing soccer in high school and my physical therapist said to me, "I think you'd be a really good physical therapist!" I tucked that away until I was at Texas State University heading toward becoming a nurse when I realized it just wasn't for me. I switched to Exercise Sports Science with a pre-physical therapy emphasis. After graduation, the doctorate physical therapy programs were extremely competitive and I just didn't have the confidence to apply - still a regret. Instead, I reviewed my options and began searching for a Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) program and found Pima Medical Institute.
It was a challenging, accelerated 18-month program, but my instructors were super motivating. Although they were hard on us, they gave us all the tools needed to be the best professional clinicians we could be. I was awarded the most "outstanding student" at graduation and offered a job at each of my clinical rotations. I began my therapist journey as a pediatric PTA until I found the place I really loved; working in sports medicine and rehabilitation. During my five plus years in orthopedics, I worked with multiple students as a clinical instructor. This drew my passion for education and I began my journey as a clinical director and instructor back at the same PTA program I'd attended. I tell my students I've been down their same path and I am going to give them everything they need to be a success in their clinical experience. I remind them that I am invested in their success because not only is Pima Medical's reputation on the line, so is mine as a graduate of this program.
Pima Medical provided what I needed to become a great therapist and for that I am thankful. I believe I've found my place in education and I am hoping to further my education through the master's degree program in the future.
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I am a Certified Veterinary Technician (CVT), employed at the University of Arizona with the Veterinary Services and Animal Behavioral Team at the Center for Innovation in Brain Science. We focus on finding cures for: Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, Multiple Sclerosis and ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease). The hands-on experience and skills I obtained from Pima Medical Institute's Veterinary Technician (VT) program has been invaluable in my new fast-paced career.
After spending several years in the aviation industry, the pandemic forced an opportunity upon me that led me to pursue my passion for animal sciences as my next profession. After researching several programs, I decided Pima Medical's Veterinary Technician (VT) program was perfect for me. The curriculum has a heavy emphasis on hands-on skill development, offers year-round enrollment, includes externships with a variety of practices and quality educators (CVTs and DVMs).
I was apprehensive about returning to college after graduating so many years ago and was intimidated by current educational technology. The people at Pima Medical were very accepting and supportive and the program was a great experience for me. My courses allowed me to gain both real world experience with hands-on labs and real work experience (large animal experience at ranches and rescues, microchip clinics, spay and neuter events) and were a great addition to my resume. I was offered a position at my first externship site, a busy 24-hour mixed practice emergency veterinary hospital and recently started my new exciting career at the University of Arizona. I'm thankful for Pima Medical's VT program which offered me the opportunity to pursue my goals in the veterinary field by providing the tools I needed to succeed and make a difference.
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I completed Pima Medical Institute's online Bachelor of Science in Radiologic Science (BSRS) in 2016. So, when I realized it was time to pursue a master's degree, I reached out to Pima Medical first. Fortunately, they had just begun offering their new Master's in Organizational Leadership and I enrolled.
Completing the program while working full time was not an easy task. It required time and attention and was a very detailed program. One of the things I appreciated most was the experience I gained doing presentations. I have to admit that initially I found it daunting, but the frequent presentation assignments embedded in the course helped me to master the process. The feedback from the instructors was priceless; their process of teaching and careful explanations has provided me with the preparation and confidence I will need to execute my role as a manager in any organization.
I had been working as a Radiologic Technologist at Columbia University College of Dental Medicine during my time at Pima Medical and after obtaining my master's degree, I'm starting a new supervisory position at New York Presbyterian Hospital.
My instructors were efficient, very professional, and resourceful and I often recommend Pima Medical to others, in fact one of my co-workers just started their BSRS program.
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I had an awesome pediatric dentist growing up. When I expressed my interest in the dental field, he encouraged me to go to school and said that I would have a guaranteed job once I finished. My mom had attended Pima Medical Institute's Medical Assistant program, so she encouraged me to enroll in their Dental Assistant (DA) program.
Unfortunately, my experience in the program was a bit of a roller coaster. I was hanging out with the wrong crowd, resulting in my failing some classes. But, the staff was very supportive and helped me get back on track. I loved the hands-on education and felt very prepared for my externship experience working on real patients.
The career services department helped me find my first job with an oral surgeon, Dr. Katherine Keeley. I received amazing training from her during my three years there and I am truly grateful for the opportunity she gave me. In 2015, I accepted a position with Gibson and Leavitt as an Oral Surgery Assistant. Every day I see something new; from crazy impactions to jaw fractures. I do digital scans, take impressions and assist with all types of surgeries including wisdom teeth extractions, implants, bone grafts and sinus lifts.
I am thankful for the staff at Pima Medical who helped me get back on the right track. I would tell students who are struggling not to give up. There's always someone out there willing to talk to you and help you. You just have to let them know you need that extra help.
I love my career and am currently taking classes with a new goal to become an obstetrician.
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When COVID hit, I had to close my in-person business and was struggling and searching for a career that would always be in demand. As a single mother of two, I needed to know that the work I was doing would not be in jeopardy. Having been raised in a family with healthcare backgrounds, I chose to enroll in the Medical Assistant (MA) program at Pima Medical Institute.
In less than a year I graduated with all the skills I needed to enter the world of healthcare. My instructors were very thorough and amazing, especially Mr. Wilson. He not only shared his clinical expertise, but gave me invaluable real-world knowledge and insight into the field. I currently work fulltime in clinical research developing pharmaceutical drugs and therapies at the cutting edge of medicine. I'm working with Pfizer, Moderna, Eli Lilly, Braintree and other sponsors to help develop treatments for illnesses and indications from vaccines like the MRNA-Covid 19 Booster Vaccine to rare diseases such as Amyloidosis and Alzheimer's. I couldn't have done it without taking that first step of enrolling in the MA program. I'm currently continuing my education with Pima Medical's online Health Care Administration associate and bachelor's degree programs.
Starting my career with Pima Medical was easily the best decision I have ever made and it has opened doors to even broader horizons. If you are on the fence about making an investment in yourself, I encourage you to enroll and pursue a career in healthcare.
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