I chose the Physical Therapist Assistant program because of my own experience as a PT patient. I had both of my hips replaced from trauma that occurred while I was working as an EMT and fire fighter in 2008.
I was in a wheelchair for 3 years and I had to learn how to walk again. I had only been out of my wheelchair for 7 months before I began the Physical Therapist Assistant program at Pima Medical Institute. My education at PMI prepared me to enter the PTA field ready to work. I am now employed at Socorro Physical Therapy, where I completed a seven-week rotation as a student. The Physical Therapist I work for now was my personal Physical Therapist after my surgery.
Since graduating, I work a very full schedule and I also have the opportunity to travel all over the United States to gain more training in my field. I would definitely recommend PMI for people who want to train in the medical field. If you work hard and study hard it will change your life, like it changed mine.
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My mom spent more than 25 years as an instructor at the Tucson campus and encouraged me to explore what Pima Medical Institute had to offer. I was initially drawn to Physical Therapy, but as I learned more, I discovered Occupational Therapy. During my entrance interview for the Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) program, everything about the profession resonated with me. Ten years later, I have no doubt that this is my calling.
The OTA program demanded a high level of self-accountability. I had to learn when to use the resources available, how to ask for help and how to grow through discomfort. The growing pains were worth it. My cohort became my biggest support system and those relationships have turned into lifelong friendships.
I truly appreciated being held to a higher standard throughout the program. The structure and expectations prepared me to deliver quality healthcare right out of school. The professionalism required of every student helps ensure graduates are not only ready to pass certification exams and succeed as clinicians, but also stand out when applying for jobs.
Thanks to that preparation, I was offered a position during my second fieldwork rotation and hired as soon as I completed my certification requirements. Since then, I've been fortunate to explore many settings, roles and opportunities throughout my career.
I've worked primarily with pediatric and young adult populations, serving my community through outpatient clinics, home health and school settings. I'm currently continuing my education with a bachelor's degree and plan to become a licensed Occupational Therapist (OT).
I would absolutely recommend Pima Medical to others. The OTA program prepares you to be more than just job-ready. It gives you the foundation to build a meaningful and lasting career in healthcare.
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I was halfway through a business degree but was longing for something different when I broke my ankle snowboarding. I began asking questions of the guy who did my x-rays. He had been a PMI grad and spoke highly of the program and encouraged me to pursue Radiography. I liked the idea that I could have a career in 2 years, so I did a little research, and it was obvious that Pima was the best program, so I signed up.
The RAD program was very challenging and yet rewarding at the same time. As most of us know our patients don't always look like they do in the text books, but it was those challenges that made me a better technologist. At times I felt like I was learning a new language but it also felt very natural. When I finished my last clinical rotation at Kaiser Permanente they encouraged me to apply for a position. I was hired as an on call technologist, which later led to a full time position. Just a few years later I became a Medical Imaging Supervisor at Kaiser. When I first transitioned into my role as a Supervisor I was worried that I wouldn't be able to take x-rays but luckily I still get to.
PMI did a great job preparing me for my profession. I'm currently pursing my bachelor's degree in Health Care Administration. I don't believe I would have the confidence or the skill set to progress as I have in management without my education at Pima.
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I was self-employed as a building contractor for many years, but I was looking for a new challenge. If you do anything for a while and get good at it, it doesn't require as much effort. Plus, I really had a desire to do something that would more directly be of service to people. My wife is a Physical Therapist and she encouraged me to pursue this field.
I looked into three PTA programs in Seattle, but I chose PMI because it included all of the prerequisites. The other programs may have been less expensive, but it would have taken much longer to complete. As a father of three, I wanted to get through school and into the field as fast as I could.
My experience as a student was phenomenal! My classmates and I totally bonded. The program was very competitive and demanding and that served us well. I had my third clinical at the University of Washington Hospital, which is where I was hired. The hospital is a teaching hospital with a culture that encourages learning and being your best. Some of my colleagues are some of the best in the world at what they do. Today I had a PMI student working with me and together we worked with lung transplant and heart transplant patients. And it's not even noon!
My PMI instructors facilitated a whole new life for me. Their insistence on excellence in all we do has really paid off. I love getting up in the morning and going to work.
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My name is Kachaw Harrison and I am a Pima Medical Institute graduate from 1999. I knew I wanted to become a nurse at some point but my biggest fear was needles. I'm a big science nerd and wanted to learn about what's in your body and how it works, so I overcame my fear and enrolled in PMI's Phlebotomy program and never looked back.
My instructor, Meg Roop, was fantastic! She explained everything to us, even the unexpected! I started in PMI's Phlebotomy program and I have been studying Lab Sciences for nearly 19 years......AND I LOVE IT! I have worked in both hospitals and clinics and, although I know just about everything there is to know about drawing blood, I'm always learning something new. This field has been amazing to me and has opened many doors. I'm not finished learning and have just applied to nursing school. I work at one of the biggest hospitals in San Antonio, Texas and I owe my successful career to Pima and Meg Roop for not only teaching how to be a successful Phlebotomist, but to be the best medical professional out there. Thank you PMI!
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In 2012 I was in a bad accident and spent time in the hospital. This experience enabled me to observe the nurses and see how they cared for people. I had been working as a team lead at Target for a number of years but I decided that I wanted to do more than help people spend money, so I began pursuing the medical field. I started as a CNA and after 4 years decided I wanted to attend school to become an LPN.
I heard about Pima Medical Institute on the radio and got excited about attending their Practical Nursing program. I have to admit my first sequence of classes was really challenging! The whole program was a huge learning experience for me, but my hard work paid off. I appreciated how the whole program was laid out ahead of time, including our course work and the schedule. This really helped us be successful.
I was offered a job at my clinical site. The administrator took notice of me and offered me a position as a unit manager, not your typical first job as an LPN. I believe Pima Medical helped me develop a level of confidence that made a difference in obtaining this position. Recently, I was contacted by another facility and offered a job as another unit manager. I am honored and proud that in such a short time my education and hard work has provided opportunities for growth in my career. Pima Medical prepared me to be successful. The encouragement and support I got from my instructors was just overwhelming, and it's an experience I am always going to cherish.
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I worked retail for almost eight years. I wasn't motivated and would wake up each day dreading going to work and seeing no future in my job. I had a friend in the same situation who left to attend Pima Medical Institute's nine-month Dental Assistant (DA) program. Watching her experiencing success in her new career, made me decide to look into the program.
My experience as a student was great. I loved it! I woke up motivated every day and was surrounded by peers with the same goals as myself, which made it easy to succeed. COVID was definitely the biggest challenge we faced throughout the program, but my instructors gave us the detailed training we needed and even allowed for one-on-one instruction. I completed my externship and was immediately hired at that practice as a DA. I quickly achieved my RDA (Registered Dental Assistant) and soon after became the lead dental assistant of that office. I know that I have so much opportunity for growth within my company and am excited for my future.
I would like to thank my Pima Medical instructors. They gave me so much knowledge during the program, but more importantly they continue to make themselves available for any questions I have. I recommend Pima Medical to prospective dental assistants all the time. They gave me the tools I needed to succeed and for that I will always be grateful!
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After earning a bachelor's degree in cultural anthropology, I struggled to find a job and ended up in finance. When COVID hit, my new job offer was rescinded and I was forced to take a job at a grocery store bakery, far from my career goals. I kept hearing advertisements for Pima Medical Institute which piqued my interest in the medical field. This led me to enroll in their three-month Phlebotomy program, allowing me to work and study simultaneously with minimal school commitment. It was a way to dip-my-toe into the water of the medical field.
The Phlebotomy program was a turning point in my life. Small classes, hands-on experience, and an excellent instructor, Miss Denise, made a significant impact. I soon secured a position at Chandler Regional Hospital, where I interacted with various departments and realized my passion for patient care. Nursing stood out as the most versatile and impactful role, prompting me to pursue a nursing degree at the institute I trusted and I enrolled at Pima Medical's Mesa Campus. The Nursing program was challenging and intense, pushing me to grow and become accountable for patient care. Through diverse clinical experiences, I gravitated towards ER and ICU settings. I've recently accepted a position at OBS Banner Dessert, aiming to transfer to the ICU and eventually join the trauma team.
I am immensely grateful for my education at Pima Medical. The Phlebotomy program provided a crucial foundation, giving me the framework I needed for a career in the medical field. I invited Miss Denise to my nursing pinning ceremony and my dad told her COVID had been difficult for me and she had saved my life. He was right, Pima Medical Institute truly changed my life.
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Growing up I'd always had my heart set on healthcare and my dream was to become a nurse. Despite being a good student initially, family issues led me to drop out of high school. I eventually got my GED and completed a nursing assistant program through Job Corps. Life threw more challenges my way, including a young marriage, poor partner choice and raising five children as a single mother.
After seeing advertisements for Pima Medical Institute, I was drawn to enroll in the Medical Assistant (MA) evening program. Balancing work, school and motherhood was tough, but I persevered for nine months. I began my new career in urgent care and later pediatrics, where I've been ever since. After a few years, Pima Medical reached out encouraging me to pursue an online Health Care Administration (HCA) associate degree. This degree opened more career doors for me. Today, I am a Lead Medical Assistant at Phoenix Children's Hospital, working with the Homeless Youth Outreach Department. I wear many hats, including clinical lead, Spanish interpreter and vaccine coordinator. Recently, I enrolled in an accelerated nursing bachelor's program at Grand Canyon University, transferring many Pima Medical credits and moving closer to my dream of becoming a nurse.
Pima Medial provided the foundation for my success. And even today, I always accept their student externs. The difference in skill between their students and others is noticeable. Returning to school as a single mom with five kids was challenging, but it was worth it. Many feel stuck in minimum wage jobs, but education can change that. Though it's tough initially, the long-term benefits include better job opportunities and more time with family. My journey was hard, but Pima Medical Institute was the key to my success. With determination and effort, you can achieve your dreams too.
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When I first walked through the doors of Pima Medical Institute, life was a challenge! My husband was out of work, and we, along with our six-month-old baby, were living with his mother. Plus, I had dropped out of school at 5th grade and since my mother wasn't familiar with homeschooling, I taught myself at home through high school. Today, after completing four programs, we own a beautiful home, and our now eight-year-old daughter is thriving. Our lives have completely transformed. I'm a 5th grade dropout with a master's degree - nothing is impossible if you really want it.
I began with the nine-month Medical Assistant (MA) program. Balancing full-time work and school was tough-I cried many times on my drive to class-but I never gave up. I was determined to build a better life for my family. That determination drove me to continue my education, earning my associate degree in Health Care Administration (HCA), a Bachelor of Science in Health Care Administration (BSHCA), and eventually a Master of Science in Organizational Leadership (MSOL).
Throughout this journey, I've worked and gone to school simultaneously. Thanks to the education and skills I gained at Pima Medical, I've never struggled to find opportunities. In fact, I've had the privilege of being selective about my career path. I've grown from being an MA to a referral coordinator, and now, I'm in my first management position-a role I secured a month before earning my master's degree. Each program at Pima Medical played a crucial role in my career progression. My master's degree, in particular, has been invaluable. As a clinic manager building a new practice from scratch, I've relied on the knowledge I gained every step of the way.
Thank you, Pima Medical Institute, for changing my life and helping me achieve my dreams. If only my first instructor, Ms. Lakeeta Garfield, could see me now. So often her words - "Be thorough," have run through my mind. I have strived to be thorough in everything I do and I have been successful.
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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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I had been working at a grocery store for 12 years when I decided it was time for a change. I hadn't been in school in a very long time and wasn't quite ready to commit to a four-year university. When I found Pima Medical Institute, it felt like the right fit for me in my stage of life. I chose the nine-month Medical Assistant (MA) program because I viewed it as a great stepping stone into a career in the medical field.
I really enjoyed my time at Pima Medical. It was exciting to be in a learning environment surrounded by students who were all motivated to succeed. My biggest challenge was balancing full-time work with evening classes while still finding time to study. It wasn't easy, but I did it! The thing I appreciated most about Pima Medical was the genuine commitment to student success. There was always help available whenever I had questions or needed support. Because of that, I walked out of the program feeling prepared and confident in my new profession.
Upon graduation, I quickly found a job and began working as a Medical Assistant with Providence in family practice, where I stayed for six years. Currently, I work for Optum Primary Care, continuing my career in family medicine. While at Providence, I had the opportunity to be a preceptor in the apprentice program, and I hope to take on that role again at Optum in the future. Educating and mentoring others is a passion of mine, and I look forward to continuing to make a difference in the field of healthcare.
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