WELCOME HOME ALUMNI

After spending time working with my aunt, a Physical Therapist in California, I decided to pursue a career as a Physical Therapy Assistant. I researched online and found the PTA program at the Pima Medical Institute in Tucson and moved to AZ to begin my program. The program was challenging, but the instructors were amazing! They made it easy to come to them for help and it, actually, felt like a family. After graduation, I was hired at Canyon Vista Medical Center in Sierra Vista, AZ, where I had completed one of my clinical rotations. They say your clinicals are like an extended job interview and they are right. About 5 months into my job, I saw a patient who showed some physical signs that concerned me. I informed the PT of my concerns and the patient was referred to her primary care doctor. She was given the OK to resume therapy and she came to me again. Again, based on my observations, we determined she should see a cardiologist. After passing all the tests, she returned a third time but, again, seeing her symptoms, I was uncomfortable treating her. So, I walked her down to the ER where they found serious concerns that may have caused her death if I had done therapy with her. PMI taught us to look for symptoms and stand our ground. Despite being a new clinician, I had the knowledge and confidence to give my patient an opportunity to have an improved outcome. The hospital acknowledged my actions and doctors stopped me in the hall to express their appreciation. I'm so thankful for the amazing education I received at PMI!

I worked at a restaurant for 14 years and had worked my way up from dishwasher to kitchen manager. My family was growing, but my income was staying the same. I was at the top but we were still living pay check to pay check and I couldn't afford health insurance. When my daughter was born with a heart defect, everything changed. We were told she would need multiple surgeries and my wife and I decided we didn't want to rely on AHCCES for her healthcare and didn't want her to be saddled with bills later in life. It was a huge step for us, but I quit my job and went back to school to obtain a career that would pay the bills and provide health insurance. I began researching the respiratory field after having watched a respiratory therapist work on my daughter when her lungs collapsed. I visited several schools before meeting with an advisor at PMI who was real with me and made me feel at home. I never felt like I was a good student in high school, but stepping into the Respiratory Therapy program at Pima Medical Institute, I found out I loved to learn! The instructors were fantastic and the classes are set up like building blocks taking someone like me, from a completely different career field, and setting me up to succeed. I recently signed up for PMI's online bachelor's program and I just want to keep on learning! I am currently working at Banner University Hospital, I have health insurance, and my daughter just had her third heart surgery and is doing phenomenal! I love my job and my new profession - thanks PMI!

I worked in the airline industry for a number of years and more recently, I was a volunteer firefighter and EMT. I've always been interested in the medical field, so after an injury left me unable to continue my current work, I chose to enroll in Pima Medical Institute's Medical Assistant (MA) program. After being out of school for so long, the first day felt quite nerve-wracking. But all of my instructors were great and I felt good doing something I really wanted to do. My externship experience was in a very fast-paced environment but I felt very well prepared. When I was ready to find a job, I saw an opportunity on a jobs website for a Kidney doctor located just six blocks from my house. I applied and they offered me a full-time position. I'm able to walk to work every day and save lots of money on gas. Most importantly, I really enjoy my new job. It is a slower paced site with returning patients and the thing I enjoy most is spending time with my patients and getting to know them. I am happy and I appreciate coming to a job I like, rather than a job I have to go to. It makes all the difference in the world. Pima Medical Institute is one of the best decisions I've ever made. It's been a life altering experience and I'm so glad I did it. It has completely changed my life.

While facing setbacks in my undergraduate BSPS (Bachelors in Science of Pharmaceutical Science) program due to grade issues, I decided to step away. My advisor from the University of Arizona (UA) suggested I apply to Pima Medical Institute's Pharmacy Technician program. From the moment I stepped into the program, I knew I was in the right place. I had wonderful instructors to help guide me on the path of reaching my goal. I enjoyed meeting new and different people, each with their own unique story. Probably the biggest obstacle I faced was the poor performance that was lingering from my time at UA and wanting to show that I wasn't the reason for not doing well there. I'm proud to say I cleared that hurdle and finished my program with a 4.0 GPA. One of the most invaluable aspects of Pima Medical was the accessibility of instructors for one-on-one guidance and always knowing I could easily ask questions and get help. This bolstered my confidence during my externship, enabling me to be comfortable with my colleagues and have the confidence to ask questions. I was thrilled to receive a job offer from Banner University Medical Center Tucson. My time there as an extern showcased my capabilities, earning me a position as a Certified Pharmacy Technician. I owe immense gratitude to my instructors Shaun, Sara and Grace for their unwavering support and dedication to my success. Pima Medical Institute is able to offer opportunities to those that believe they don't deserve it, when in reality they do!

While initially interested in Dental Hygiene (DH), at age 18, I chose to pursue Dental Assisting (DA) instead, partly because I was hesitant to commit to a university four-year DH program. Later, as I learned about Pima Medical Institute's two-year DH program, my research told me it was highly reputable and very challenging. This both intrigued me and motivated me and I enrolled. During my third semester an unexpected pregnancy brought huge challenges. My baby son was diagnosed with gastroschisis, a high-risk condition requiring frequent medical visits and a 54-day stay in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). Despite the challenges of being a new mother and the emotional strain of the situation, I remained determined to succeed in my studies. I studied and completed assignments while at the NICU, my son serving as my inspiration. He was a reminder of my strength and my determination to never give up on my dreams. My DA employer had been supportive and excited about my becoming a Dental Hygienist and invited me to join their team as a DH upon obtaining my license. I want to express my sincere gratitude to all of my instructors at Pima Medical for their unwavering support during my journey, especially as I navigated the challenges of my son's condition. Each instructor was incredibly helpful and supportive, always striving for my success. I am confident in the quality of education I received and would enthusiastically recommend it to others. While the program is rigorous, it is definitely achievable-I am living proof of that!

My family always told me I would thrive in the veterinary field, but I didn't believe in myself. I was 24, working and intermittently taking general education classes at the community college or university with no clear direction. Everything changed when I visited Pima Medical Institute and enrolled in the Veterinary Assistant (VA) and Veterinary Technician (VT) programs. These programs ignited my passion for the veterinary field, and I was finally on a career path I loved. The instructors at Pima Medical were incredible, providing both education and valuable connections in the veterinary field. While attending the VT program, I balanced two full-time jobs in the industry, applying my classroom learning to real-world situations. This hands-on experience was invaluable. My instructors were always available and understanding of my very demanding schedule, even making sure I had snacks when I hadn't taken time to eat. After graduation, I spent six years at a fast-paced ER. Today, I am the Hospital Administrator at Pima Pet Clinic where I am able to utilize both my technical skills and administrative expertise. Additionally, I serve in the United States Army Reserves in a Veterinary Detachment, training medical personnel on K9 emergency assessments. Utilizing a remote-controlled robotic dog, I create scenarios (increased heart rate, insinuating pain, blood flow sensors, stomach inflation, even amputations) in order to practice real-time medical emergencies. The mix of knowledge and experience I gained at Pima Medical has been instrumental in my career and my ability to teach. Participating in these training exercises has been one of the most fulfilling experiences in my life. The connections and the education I received at Pima Medical have truly transformed my life.

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.

I have always had an interest in the medical field, but had no idea where to begin. My brother went to Pima Medical Institute for the Veterinary Technician program, which led me to look into the school. After my first tour, I knew it was the place for me and I enrolled in the Medical Assistant (MA) program. My student experience was amazing! I had fantastic instructors and got so much hands-on experience in such a short amount of time. At first, it was difficult to balance full-time school while working, but I loved what I was learning so much that putting in the work was something I was more than willing to do. I loved getting to practice my hands-on skills with my classmates. Doing things like injections and blood draws on real people truly prepares you for real patients. I graduated from Pima Medical with a 4.0 GPA, and as soon as I started to apply for jobs, the offers were rolling in! I ultimately chose to work at University of Washington Medical Center because it seemed like the best opportunity for me, and it definitely has been. Since graduating, I have been working at UW for the last year. I have learned so much and have never been more confident in a job. Getting my education at Pima Medical Institute was truly one of the best decisions I have ever made. It prepared me so much for my future and made stepping into a new role a piece of cake. I would highly recommend Pima Medical to others seeking to change their lives.

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.