WELCOME HOME ALUMNI

I hadn't decided on a vocational direction. I was taking classes in accounting and I was considering the area of probation, when someone I knew recommended me for a part-time position working in a doctor's office. Even though I had no formal training, the doctor thought I had a good attitude so he hired me, trained me, and I started working in his office in May of 1994. When patients asked me where I received my training and I had to tell them it was who I knew, not what I knew, that got me the job. I knew I wanted to go back to school to get my Medical Assistant certification. So since PMI had such great reputation, that's where I enrolled. I had great instructors who helped us not only understand the material, but taught us why we needed to know it. They taught us the importance of our role to both our physician and our office. My instructor even wrote a meaningful poem for each student before we graduated. I continued to work for the same physician for another 5 years and then took a position as a Medical Administrative Assistant Instructor back at PMI. After 15 years, I still love my job teaching new students! I'm currently a student myself working towards my bachelor degree and I hope to teach until I retire. PMI opened the door to my future and it's been one of the best decisions I've ever made!

My journey with Pima Medical Institute started as a student in the Dental Assisting (DA) program at the Seattle campus. My late husband and I had a one year old and another one on the way. During my time I had nothing but support, guidance and the feeling of belonging. I was even given a Thanksgiving basket for the holidays to help my family, as we were struggling financially. I went on to graduate from the DA program and worked in the field for many years. When I saw an opening for a Dental Assistant instructor at Pima Medical, I applied and was offered the position. I loved working with students and letting them know that I was once in their position. Wanting more, I enrolled in Pima Medical's online Health Care Administration associate degree program and then continued on to complete my HCA bachelor's program. Upon graduating, I was promoted to Career Services Advisor at the campus, where I grew both as a person and also in my career. Sadly, my husband passed away in 2021. With my three children by my side, I have completed a master's degree and was recently promoted to Pima Medical's Corporate HR department as an Employment Recruiter. I have had nothing but support, guidance and people on my side at Pima Medical since walking in the door as a brand-new student. All of my instructors, the whole Seattle Campus, and the corporate office have been by my side and supported me. I was valued as a person, never just a number, and shown the door to success. Pima Medical truly understands that their success lies in their student's success. (A special thanks to the Seattle Campus - you were there for me during one of the most difficult times of my life and I will never forget the guidance and support you showed me.)

After graduating from high school, I attended UTEP (University of Texas at El Paso) but despite attempting a number of majors, I still didn't have a plan. The thing that brought me joy was volunteering at the shelter where I adopted my dog. I really loved working with the animals and it made me realize that's what I was meant to do. I began researching schools with a veterinary program around El Paso and found Pima Medical Institute and enrolled in the Veterinary Assistant program. I cannot tell you how excited and joyful I was to finally start on a path to a career I knew I would love! I had a great experience during my 9-month program. My instructor was wonderful and I received lots of hands-on practice. I was placed in Boerne, near San Antonio, at the Cibolo Creek Veterinary Hospital for my externship and before I left to head back to El Paso, they offered me a position! After almost three years as a Veterinary Assistant I decided to continue my education and enrolled in the Veterinary Technician program, this time at the Pima Medical in San Antonio. I have been learning so much and am enjoying getting exposure in different areas like exotics and livestock. I appreciate my instructors sharing their experiences and providing hands-on instruction. I plan to graduate later this year. I love the veterinary field and I am so thankful to Pima Medical for providing a path to a great career that I love!

I was a stay at home mom for 18 years. When my oldest child headed to college I felt like I had lost my identity and purpose, but I just wasn't sure what I wanted to do. I knew I didn't want to be behind a desk and I enjoyed being on my feet and using my hands. So when I saw the commercial for the Dental Assisting Program and Pima Medical Institute, I decided it might be a fit for me. It was somewhat intimidating going back to school when I was the oldest student in the class and it was certainly challenging having homework again while balancing family and home life. But, my instructor was helpful and cheered me on. I felt very prepared, although extremely nervous, for my hands on externship experience. But I learned so much and it helped me understand that I really wanted to work in a specialty area of dentistry. I was initially hired at a general practice but soon found the place I really belonged; a periodontist office. I absolutely love it! I enjoy meeting and getting to know my patients. I have great coworkers and wonderful doctors who continue to teach me about their specialty. I love it all and am so happy! Pima Medical has been so good in helping me go from "what's my purpose?" to "this is where I should be!" Finding that out and being happy where I am has been everything. It has done so much for me! Plus, my kids are really proud of me. I love the patients! It's different every day! It's a lot of fun. I love it! I'm so glad I did this!

After graduating from high school, I was afraid of going to the university and ending up $60,000 in debt, so I got a job instead. It didn't take long for me to realize my job held no future for me and that's when I decided to look into the medical field where I could have a stable career and growth opportunities. I've always been good at math, so I was looking into pharmacy when I heard a commercial for Pima Medical Institute and decided to enroll in the Pharmacy Technician program. My instructors were accomplished in their field and everyone there wanted me to succeed. I didn't own a car at the time so each day I would ride the bus for two hours, attend four hours of class, and then ride the bus two hours home. Yep - it was an eight-hour day for me, but I loved it! Over the years, I've held a variety of positions but currently, I am working as a pharmacy liaison at University of Colorado's health transplant clinic. Because I want to grow in the medical field, I recently obtained my bachelor's degree in Health Care Administration from Colorado State University and I plan next to get my MBA. My eventual dream is to be the director of a clinic, urgent care or even hospital. To help broaden my experience in the health care field, I took a position as an evening Career Prep instructor at Pima Medical's Aurora Campus. I am able to encourage and motivate my students as well as be understanding. For example, evening classes are a struggle for many of my students who work all day and I can totally relate since I also have a day job. I have found that I love teaching! I am grateful for Pima Medical Institute. Their education is top notch!

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.

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.

had just graduated from high school and was searching for a career that would allow me to help others while staying active. When I discovered Pima Medical Institute's Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) program, I knew it was the perfect fit. The opportunity to complete the program in just 18 months and start my dream job immediately was exactly what I was looking for. My experience at Pima Medical was amazing. The class schedule allowed me to balance my studies with a part-time job, which was important for supporting myself. The coursework was challenging, but my instructors were incredibly supportive and always took the time to help me understand difficult concepts. I especially appreciated how they related the material to real-world, clinical situations, making everything we learned feel more relevant and practical. The hands-on experience in our lab and during clinical rotations was invaluable. It solidified my skills and prepared me for the workforce. Right after graduation I was hired at Athletico, where I've been working ever since. I'm currently pursuing a certification in pelvic floor therapy, a field I'm very passionate about. I am looking forward to raising awareness about its importance for overall well-being. I'm so grateful to my instructors at Pima Medical. The education I received there truly shaped me into the clinician I am today. I highly recommend Pima Medical to anyone looking to pursue a career in healthcare - it's an amazing school.

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.