WELCOME HOME ALUMNI

I'm a single mother of two boys and had been a preschool teacher for many years. I always felt like I wanted more, so I began researching the medical field. One day I walked out of the grocery store, saw PMI's campus and decided to check it out. It wasn't long before I'd signed up for their medical assistant program. I was so anxious on my first day of class, but the instructors embraced me and made me feel comfortable. I enjoyed school and got involved with student government and looked for opportunities to help other students who were struggling. I was assigned to the Physicians Surgery Center of ABQ for my externship. I was nervous and really didn't know what to expect. But, I knew my instructors had given me great instruction so I decided just to do my best. Within the first week they indicated they would be interested in hiring me upon completion of my externship. I was so proud and couldn't wait to go back and tell my instructors! I'm currently working there as a medical assistant and I not only help with the administrative side, but have even assisted in some surgeries. Since the day I walked in the door, PMI has literally changed my life. Age is just a number and I plan to keep going and keep learning. Thank you PMI!

I came to PMI as an older student. I had been an EMT, owned my own business, and worked for other companies. But, I just couldn't find my niche - that one thing. I began to research schools that offered veterinary programs because I have been passionate about animals my entire life. Two of my family members had attended PMI and were thrilled with their choices, so I decided to enroll in their Veterinary Assistant program. My first day I hesitated outside my classroom; knowing it wasn't going to be easy. But, I decided failure was not an option. I took a deep breath, walked through the door and opened the doors to a whole new life. Shortly before graduation, I was asked to consider enrolling in their Veterinary Technician program. I was apprehensive, but knew from experience my instructors would always be available to help answer my questions and would push me to do my best. I accepted the invitation, enrolled in the VT program, and as they say, the rest is history! I'm currently employed by the same full-service clinic where I did my externship. No two days are ever the same - I may perform a dental procedure and soon after be scrubbing for surgery. No matter what emergency situation comes through our doors, I am 100% confident with my skills. Everything I learned, I learned from the best.

One day while working in retail assisting a customer who had a personal assistant and, obviously had a different lifestyle than mine, I struck up a conversation and ended up asking her what she did. She explained that she was a VP for San Ysidro Health Center and, after our conversation about her work, she gave me her card and asked me if I knew any CNA's to send them her way . Something about that conversation caused me to look at my life differently and think about where I was headed. I'd been working in retail for 10 years and I just couldn't see it taking me anywhere. At the time, my cousin was attending Pima Medical Institute. He told me the school was great, the program was fast and it wasn't too expensive and encouraged me to attend. So I went to PMI and enrolled in the Medical Assistant program. It was the best experience I've ever had! I never considered myself a great student and wasn't very book-smart, but PMI was very hands on and I loved it. The instructors were super helpful and would come in early to help me and the students became my lifelong friends. Even the security guard was awesome. I did my externship with a plastic surgeon and learned a ton. It had been 2 years since I'd had contact with that customer, but I found her business card, called her, and asked if she remembered me - Delilah from Pier One. She was blown away that she had touched me enough to encourage me to get my education and she told me she wanted to help me find a job at her company. She called me back and offered me a position as a health educator in their HIV department, with a brand new branch working with the Center for Disease Control and their federally funded grant. It is an amazing opportunity typically reserved for someone with a bachelor's degree. We offer free HIV testing and counseling for those who test positive for HIV. Even though it was a little different route than I'd planned, if I hadn't gone to PMI and gotten my education, I would have missed a fantastic opportunity! I've kept in touch with Pima. I'm on their advisory board, I come back to speak to classes, and I am able to offer their students opportunities to volunteer with our organization. I am so grateful for my education at PMI!

I fell into sales a long time ago and had a good job working in the petroleum industry. But after a time, I became tired of my job being about the next sale and money; I wanted to help people on a more personal level. With the support of my wife and the patience of my children, I was able to make a career change. I chose Pima Medical Institute's Radiography Program over other programs because I didn't need any prerequisites and could start immediately. I had prior educational experiences at a number of community colleges and universities, but Pima Medical was by far the best educational experience of my life. Everyone cared for and supported the students and it was a close knit community. They gave us a knowledge base and prepared us for our clinical experiences, where I felt totally confident. During our last semester, the career services department helped us get our resumes ready, and when I posted mine on Indeed and LinkedIn, I started getting hits immediately. I got a position at a pain clinic where they hired me on the spot and gave me the wages I was expecting. I do fluoroscopy; allowing the doctor to see what's going on inside the patient while he is doing pain injections. I love my job and I feel really appreciated! My whole experience at Pima Medical was good from the moment I completed the online form and got a call from a knowledgeable representative, to admissions and financial aid, to my program director and administration and all the way to the custodial staff. I love them all and can't thank them enough. They made an impact on my life and the life of my kids and my family. Thank you Pima Medical!

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.

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 was looking for a change from my previous jobs in food service and explored various community colleges in Seattle. After considering culinary arts, I decided to pursue a healthcare career where I knew jobs were more in demand. I chose Pima Medical Institute because the stories from previous graduates resonated with me. They were just like me, seeking change and career advancement. Despite having no prior knowledge or experience in pharmacy, I chose the Pharmacy Technician program to challenge myself. My experience at Pima Medical was fun and engaging. The courses, from Career Prep to the Pharmacy Technician classes, were well planned. I learned everything I needed to succeed. The biggest challenge was balancing homework and projects with a full-time job, but it was worth it. The support from the staff at Pima's Renton campus was invaluable. The admissions and financial aid advisors helped me with my FAFSA, easing my financial worries. My Career Prep instructor made learning exciting and engaging. The staff provided support and organized stress-relieving activities like the Halloween costume contest. My instructor imparted all the pharmacy knowledge I needed and now apply daily in my work. Since graduating from Pima Medical in 2018, I worked at ReadyMeds for nearly four years and I've spent the last several years working as a Specialty Pharmacy Technician at Kaiser Permanente of Washington. I highly recommend Pima Medical Institute for the support and programs they offer to help you achieve your goals and succeed in your career. Now I'm one of those graduates sharing my story to inspire others!

When I decided to become a radiologic technologist, Pima Medical Institute's Radiography (RAD) program stood out to me. Unlike community college, I could start right away, and that was a big draw. The program was challenging, but the friendships I formed with my classmates kept me motivated and accountable. I really enjoyed my instructors, who provided both emotional and professional support. The diversity of my clinical rotations was something I truly appreciated. I had the chance to practice my skills in a variety of settings, from a rural hospital to an orthopedic clinic, a large hospital, and even special procedure rotations. These experiences not only helped me decide which areas of radiography I enjoyed most but also pushed me out of my comfort zone, honing my skill set. My first job was in urgent care, where I was the only tech on site. This role was invaluable for my growth. I had to rely on my education and critical thinking skills to obtain the best images possible. After years of working in different disciplines, I discovered my passion in Interventional Radiology and the Cath Lab. I became the lead tech in a Neuro Endovascular Lab, a role that eventually led me to join Rapid Medical Inc. as a Clinical Specialist. This position has been one of the best things to happen in my career, allowing me to travel, expand my knowledge, and contribute to patient care in a new way. I'm incredibly grateful to Pima Medical Institute for their RAD program and the online Bachelor of Science in Radiologic Sciences (BSRS) program. Both provided a strong foundation that has allowed my career to flourish.

I have always wanted a career in healthcare. I had previously pursued a nursing route, but was discouraged and unsure if nursing was really what I wanted to do. I came to Pima Medical Institute interested in the Pharmacy Technician program, but the admissions counselor I spoke to asked if I had heard about Respiratory Therapy (RT). She showed me a video explaining what an RT did and I was sold. Then and there, I found my calling. I was meant to be a Respiratory Therapist. I graduated from the Respiratory Therapy (RT) program with an Associate of Occupational Science in 2011. Knowing where the industry was headed, and my drive to move beyond bedside, I enrolled in the online Bachelor of Science in Respiratory Therapy program (BSRT) and graduated in 2014. Since then I have worked in a critical access hospital, an acute care hospital, and a level IV Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). The NICU was my favorite place to work and where I excelled. My experience allowed me to sit for three additional specialty certifications, adding some hard-earned credentials to my resume. Along the way, I found my second calling and passion - teaching all things respiratory. I continued on to obtain a Master's degree, which opened up another door for career advancement. I began teaching in a local respiratory therapy program while still working bedside, waiting to make the full transition into education. Fortunately, an opportunity came up to teach in the very same program here at Pima Medical Institute where I had attended 14 years earlier. Here I am, walking the same halls and teaching in the same classrooms I was a student in many years ago. I've come full circle from student to faculty ... I am still learning and doing what I love!