WELCOME HOME ALUMNI

I have always wanted to be a nurse, but it took until my forties to become an RN. Right after high school I became a Certified Nursing Assistant and worked in nursing homes. Not long after, I married a military man and we moved to Japan with our first child and I had to put my dream on hold. After more life situations, I ended up divorced and back in Tucson as a single mom of two children. I wanted to attend nursing school but knew I needed to wait until my kids were older before investing in myself, so I worked as a Patient Care Technician. When I was finally ready, I enrolled at Pima Medical Institute where I could avoid waiting lists and start immediately. I was in my late 30's and was the oldest person in my class and it was challenging. I wasn't very savvy with computer skills and preferred to take notes on paper, but my instructors were great! They were tough but they taught us what we needed to be successful. While a student at PMI, I made a connection with a hospital administrator while volunteering at a nursing conference. She knew my interest in working in a psychiatric unit and suggested I meet with the director of the recently opened Geriatric Psychiatry Unit at Tucson Medical Center. That meeting led to a clinical rotation and a job offer before I had even graduated. I have been an RN in that Gero Psych Unit for over two years and I am currently assisting in a leadership role on the unit. I am so thankful to PMI for a career I love! This is my passion and I am right where I want to be. It may sound cheesy, but I was born to do this!

I really enjoy being employed at Pima Medical Institute as an admission's assistant. I had been a personal banker for years but it was becoming more stressful and I had a desire to work at an educational institution, so when a friend recommended the job at Pima Medical, I jumped at it. After a time, I found myself considering attending one of their programs. I hadn't been to school in 20 years, but I wanted something for myself. I was trying to determine a way to continue my full time job, care for my family and go to school when Pima Medical's Online department launched their new five semester Health Care Administration program. I enrolled in the first class and was able to get my associate degree while working 40 hours a week and maintaining my family life. The program was very well organized and easy to follow and I found that my online classes really helped me do a better job in my position as an admission's assistant. They certainly brought me to a higher professional level of service. It was a challenge to juggle all my responsibilities, but the sense of accomplishment was amazing! My family was a huge support because there were times I wanted to quit, but I wanted to show my kids I could do it. Now my daughter is enrolled in the Physical Therapist Assistant program at Pima Medical. I am so thankful to Pima Medical for my job, my education and now my daughter's education.

I was a stay at home mother of three looking for a career in the medical field. We had been living paycheck to paycheck and I knew if I wanted more than a minimum wage job I would need an education. I had tried college before and flunked out, so I was so afraid of failing and kept making excuses. After seeing a Pima Medical Institute TV ad, my husband set up a campus tour without telling me and took me as a surprise. My admissions advisor, Robert, answered all my questions and helped me enroll in the Medical Administrative Assistant program. He turned out to be my biggest cheerleader throughout my journey there. Pima Medical is a family. They care about every single student in that facility. This girl who barely made it through high school and flunked out of college classes three times, graduated with a 4.0 and then went on to complete the Health Care Administration associate degree. I was offered a full-time position at a primary care office where I had done my externship. While being a mom, going to school, working fulltime and dealing with COVID, I completed my associate degree with a 3.4 GPA. I recently took a new job at a chiropractic office where I am applying much of what I learned in my HCA program. I have a career I love and within the next year I hope to begin the HCA bachelor's program. I am teaching my girls that you have to work hard for what you want. My daughter had to write a letter for school about her hero. She chose me because even though I was scared to go back to school, I did it! I kept that letter in the front of my binder throughout my entire school process. I am so grateful for Pima Medical Institute!

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.

In 2005, while browsing technical programs online, Pima Medical Institute's Veterinary Assistant (VA) Program caught my eye. I filled out a request for more information and, to my surprise, Niki Riggleman, a recently retired yet highly esteemed instructor, called me immediately. Despite never having had an interest in veterinary medicine before, that call changed my life. I can't imagine being in any other field today and I'm so grateful Niki called me! I completed the VA Program and returned to complete the Veterinary Technician (VT) Program in 2007. It was a privilege to be part of the very first VT class at the Seattle Campus. One aspect of Pima Medical I truly appreciated was its accessibility; the ability to attend night classes and work during the day allowed me to maintain a steady income while pursuing my education. The hands-on classroom experience, combined with working in the field, was crucial to my professional growth. My journey with VCA Animal Hospitals began with my first externship, where I was hired even before completing it. Almost 20 years later, I'm still with VCA and grateful to have found my place there. I worked as a VA, a VT and then quickly moved up to Technician Supervisor and a regional training role. In 2020, I became the Regional Technician Director for the Northwest & Hawaii Group, supporting veterinary teams across five states. Additionally, as the current President of the Washington State Association of Veterinary Technicians (WSAVT) and a former District Chair for the National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America (NAVTA), I am dedicated to improving the careers of Veterinary Technicians and Assistants. Ensuring their optimal utilization and safety is crucial to our profession, helping us continue to serve our patients effectively.

When I got braces in high school, I was fascinated by how something so simple could transform a person's smile-and their confidence. That experience sparked my interest in the dental field, and after researching options, I found Pima Medical Institute's Dental Assistant (DA) program. I enrolled right after high school and jumped into the program. My instructors were incredible! I never considered myself a standout student, but the hands-on learning style was perfect for me. I learned so much, and when it came time for my externship, it felt like a breeze because I was so prepared. They even offered me a job as soon as I finished, and I worked there happily until I moved out of state. Since graduating in 2011, I've worked in every part of a dental office-from assisting to managing the front desk to being an office manager. Today, I'm a mom of two fast-growing kids, and I want more flexibility to be with them, so I'm going back to school for billing and coding. This will allow me to continue working in the dental field from home. I love the dental field because I get to make a difference-helping patients find relief from pain or transforming their smiles - and I'm excited about the next chapter in my dental career. Pima Medical is an amazing place with caring instructors and I would choose it all over again. It's changed my life.

After 25 years in restaurant management, I always knew I wanted to go back to school, but life kept getting in the way. In 2017, everything changed when I got very sick and ended up in the hospital for 10 days. One nurse, an older, highly skilled woman, was so inspiring that I thought, "If she can do this, so can I." Though I didn't want to be a nurse, I knew my management background could help me run a medical office. However, when I tried applying for receptionist jobs, I kept hearing the same thing-I needed medical experience. That's when I decided to take a leap and enroll in Pima Medical Institute's Medical Assistant (MA) program. The nine-month program gave me the education I needed to get my foot in the door. It wasn't easy-after being out of school for 20 years, I had to relearn how to study and manage my time. But thanks to Pima Medical's support system and my fellow students, I got through it. I landed my first job as an MA through my externship at Pima Heart. I soon enrolled in the online Health Care Administration (HCA) program, while moving up in my job and then continued into the Bachelor of Science in Health Care Administration (BSHCA) program. Upon completion, I applied to administrative positions and was humbled to have 15 interviews scheduled. After considering numerous job opportunities, I chose to join Banner Health as a Practice Manager, overseeing a staff of 20 (with eight providers and 40 residents). Pima Medical provided the education I needed to excel in the medical field. My instructors were there for me every step of the way. If you're considering going back to school, just do it! Choose Pima Medical and you will get the support you need.

After high school, I spent four years juggling two jobs-one at Office Max and the other at a bakery-when one day, my aunt called and asked if I wanted to go back to school with her. I had no idea what she meant, but I agreed. That's how I found Pima Medical Institute. I chose the Medical Assistant (MA) program because, when my dad was ill, I saw firsthand the impact healthcare professionals can have on a person's life. I wanted to do that too, and the program was only nine months long, which made it a perfect fit for me. I loved every minute of the MA program! The hands-on training felt so different from high school, and I found myself excited to learn. In particular, I discovered I had a passion for injections and blood draws. When it was time for my externship, I was nervous, but my head MA was incredibly supportive, and I quickly found that it all came naturally to me. Toward the end of the program our homework assignment was to apply for three MA positions. Afterwards, I didn't think much about it, but to my surprise, Saguaro Dermatology called and hired me. Dermatology is fast-paced and challenging, but I love it. My favorite part is working with skin cancers and assisting in surgeries. I also enjoy my role in the lab, processing tissue samples as a histotech. Since relocating to Tucson, I easily found another dermatology position, and I couldn't be happier. Pima Medical set me on a path I'm truly passionate about, and I'd do it all over again. If you're thinking about a medical career, don't hesitate-come to Pima Medical. You won't regret it!