After 12 years as a dental assistant I knew there was more for me in the dental profession. When I heard PMI was offering a Dental Hygiene program, I jumped at the opportunity! I am a 35 year old parent of two boys and the thought of quitting my job to attend school was quite daunting, but I forged ahead and was committed. The Dental Hygiene program was an accelerated, challenging opportunity and despite the sweat, tears, countless study sessions, long nights of studying and many other sacrifices, I completed the program and became a Board Certified Registered Dental Hygienist!
I appreciated my education at PMI and was continually impressed by the knowledge and willingness of the instructors and administration to ensure my educational success. I was prepared in every way, from classroom, to clinical lab, to my job! After passing my boards, I had three job offers! Since graduation I have been employed in an amazing dental office doing what I love! I am even considering furthering my career goals by attending PMI for a bachelor's degree.
I am so grateful for everything PMI and my instructors have done for me. I was even given a once in a lifetime opportunity to practice my profession on a missionary trip to Africa provided by the CEO of PMI, Mr. Richard Luebke, Jr. PMI truly cares for their students and provides opportunities not available anywhere else. I would definitely recommend PMI to anyone seeking a way to achieve their career goals and make a better life!
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Q: How did you learn about Pima Medical Institute?
A: I got to know about Pima Medical Institute by searching phlebotomy courses in El Paso. There was an orientation scheduled for the day before, but took my chances and I went for a tour. While I was there, I tested and was able to secure a spot in the phlebotomy course.
Q: What was your experience like as a student in the Phlebotomy program?
A: My favorite experience was Externship and being able to see what my career would look like in real life. Throughout my program I was able to overcome my fear of needles by practicing on my classmates, and them practicing on me.
Q: What would you say is one specific thing you appreciated about your education at Pima Medical Institute?
A: I feel my externship really allowed me to get the feel for what my workplace would be like, while getting the ability to make connections in my work environment. I found my first job at University Medical Center's Main Campus working night shift after graduating.
Q: Would you recommend Pima Medical Institute? Why?
A: I would recommend Pima Medical Institute to others. I feel the schedule really helped out while I still needed to work while attending school.
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During my childhood, one of my favorite places to go was the dental office. The memories stayed with me. In 1989 I saw a classified ad for PMI, which led me to the admissions office and a career as a Dental Assistant. As a student, I had many challenges; I had to take my son to the day care, I didn't have a car, and I relied on public transportation to get to school. I was pregnant during school and when my daughter came early, I had to go on a leave of absence. When I returned to school, I was able to continue my honor roll status. My instructors motivated me, and I really enjoyed learning. After graduation, I worked for several years as a Dental Assistant and enjoyed every minute.
In 1993, I returned to PMI as an instructor and have been here ever since. It is easy for me to identify with many of my students, and I constantly get the opportunity to help others become successful. Some of my students have become Dental Hygienists and even Dentists, and I am extremely proud of them! I'm thankful to PMI and to God for giving me the opportunity to be a part of a wonderful organization.
Theresa Romero-Diaz
* Theresa was named "Instructor of the Year" in both 2000 and 2006
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I am currently working as a Medical Assistant in the area of vascular surgery at the New Mexico Heart Institute and I love my job!
It wasn't very long ago that I was working a night shift security position where I was bored, felt like I wasn't getting anywhere and longed for a career. One night I started researching online looking for something in the medical field and Pima Medical Institute popped up. I simply completed a brief form and they called the next day. Before I knew it, I was enrolled in the Medical Assistant Program. I was glad I didn't have a chance to second guess my decision.
Going back to school was challenging for me. I was still working security full time at night, going to school during the day and trying to find time to spend with my two-year-old daughter. That being said, Pima Medical provides everything you need to get started, including your uniform and backpack. I heard the passion in the voice of my first instructor when she spoke and it wasn't long before I fell in love with the medical field. I felt like there was no question whether we were going to succeed. Everyone at Pima Medical was so helpful.
When it came time for my externship, Pima Medical's career services department worked hard to place me at a site that fit my schedule and enabled me to continue working my security job. Being placed with a plastic surgeon was not my first choice, but I had an amazing experience and the doctor ended up recommending me for my current position at New Mexico Heart Institute. I'm so grateful for my new career!
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Both of my parents have careers in the medical field and my older sister was working as an X-ray technologist's assistant at the same hospital. I had many broken bones as a kid and recall getting many X-rays, but when my sister started talking about what happens behind the scenes in her department, I started considering a career as a radiologic technologist. Both my sister and my mom encouraged me toward the Radiography program at Pima Medical Institute.
It is a robust program for sure. It was super challenging for me and required a lot of study. But, the instructors were very knowledgeable and encouraging. I formed great relationships with my classmates; we became quite close and helped each other get through the program.
It was quite intimidating to walk into my clinicals. Although I was well prepared and had help from the technologists, it was quite overwhelming to be in trauma situations and be interacting with nurses and doctors in real life situations. I worked really hard in my final round of my clinicals at Sharp Memorial Hospital and a couple months after graduation, I was hired as a radiologic technologist. I spend the majority of my time in the ER and I really enjoy my current job, but may consider a position in mammography in the future.
I want to thank Pima Medical and especially my instructor, Dr. Schmidt, who was so helpful and supportive. I was in a terrible car accident during the program and without her guidance I may not have been able to finish my program. I am 23-years-old, I have a career in the medical field and I am really proud of myself.
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My husband and I have six children and I have been a stay at home mom for the past 10 years. When the pandemic hit, we were concerned it might negatively impact my husband's businesses. Since I had been thinking about going back to school, we decided it was time to train for a career that we could fall back on. Little did I know when I enrolled in Pima Medical Institute's Dental Assistant program, that I would be completing my whole program during the pandemic. Since I hadn't been in school in a while it was challenging, but failure wasn't an option. My instructor was so good! We learned so much from her explanations and when we were finally able to participate in campus labs, our hands-on work came quite naturally.
We live on the Tulalip reservation and I wanted to complete my externship at our health clinic where I could help my people. There are very few Native American healthcare providers and this causes a mistrust and disruption in care because of cultural and language differences. I had a wonderful experience, my patients appreciated me and I ended up with a job.
The day after my externship everyone was invited to come for COVID vaccinations because a storm had caused power outages and there were concerns the vaccines would go bad. I drove past the clinic, saw the long line of cars, grabbed scrubs and my PPE and spent the day helping check in patients. We vaccinated over 750 people in one day, including my over 80-year-old grandmother. That was a pretty special moment for our community.
I'm so appreciative to my instructors at Pima Medical. Everyone was so kind and helpful and cared about each student. I love my new career and my new job.
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I had a strong desire to become a nurse and was completing prerequisites at a local community college, but the two-year waitlist was too long. Thankfully, I discovered Pima Medical Institute's Phlebotomy program. It was perfect for my busy life as a mother of two. In less than three months, I graduated, secured a job in the medical field and was set up for success. Seeking more, I returned to Pima Medical and enrolled in the 22-month Respiratory Therapy (RT) program. The school's support system and faculty made it an obvious choice. I loved the RT program and was employed for years as a Respiratory Therapist in a hospital and sleep lab setting. I also worked as an autotransfusionist in the operating room.
Life took a difficult turn when my husband battled colon cancer, requiring a temporary relocation to Phoenix. During this time, I pursued my dream of a bachelor's degree in Healthcare Administration (BSHCA). When things got really tough and I wanted to quit, the program director encouraged me to keep going. Each faculty member was understanding and compassionate and I'm so grateful they pushed me to finish. My husband's health issues persisted, I knew I had to become the family's breadwinner so I finally pursued my dream and enrolled in the nursing program. Sadly, my husband passed away a month later and I had to drop out. Nearly two years later, I returned to the program and I am now a proud registered nurse (RN) at Banner Hospital. The nursing program was very challenging, but I realize now the faculty are so tough because they truly care about putting good nurses out in the field.
I recently introduced my daughter to Pima Medical. Just like I had, she took a tour, met with an advisor, received financial aid information, completed an assessment and scheduled an interview for the Radiography program. I am excited for her and confident that Pima Medical will be an amazing experience, just as it was for me.
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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.
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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.
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I always knew I wanted a career in healthcare but wasn't sure which path to take. While working as a certified nursing assistant (CNA), I met a patient receiving Occupational Therapy (OT). I had never heard of OT before, but it intrigued me. After some research, I discovered the wide range of opportunities in the field, especially working with children. I was hooked! That's when I found Pima Medical Institute's Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) program.
My time at Pima Medical was incredible. My cohort was fun and supportive, and the instructors were knowledgeable and kind. There were challenges along the way, like COVID delays during clinicals, but I never regretted my decision. The hands-on learning experiences truly prepared me for the field.
After graduation, I pursued my dream of working with children and was hired at Piller Child Development. Knowing I wanted to eventually attend graduate school, I enrolled in Pima Medical's Bachelor of Science in Health Care Administration (BSHCA) program. The program was quick, flexible, and allowed me to balance work, school, and life.
Now, I'm working as a Pediatric Occupational Therapy Assistant with Mariposa Therapy Services, supporting children in schools, while attending Northern Arizona University to earn my Doctor of Occupational Therapy. I've developed a passion for feeding therapy, including sensory-based treatments and lactation consulting. My ultimate goal is to open my own feeding therapy practice.
I'm so excited for the future, and I'm grateful to Pima Medical for giving me the foundation to build a career I love.
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I wasn't completely sure about going back to school until I walked through the doors at Pima Medical Institute. From the moment I took the tour and sat down for the exam, Admissions Representative Mary Mikiel made me feel welcomed and encouraged. I don't love taking tests, but her support and positive energy truly made a difference that day. A few days later, she called to tell me I had only missed one question - and that I was officially accepted into the Medical Assistant program.
Starting the program, I connected quickly with my classmates and discovered a great sense of community. My instructors were not only knowledgeable, but genuinely invested in my success. There were five of us who graduated together, and that experience gave me newfound confidence in myself. I was working full time while attending school, and although it wasn't easy, I proved to myself that I could push through the ups and downs and make it to graduation day. I started working at a fast-paced urgent care where everything I learned at Pima Medical came flooding back like second nature.
After about a year of hard work, I was encouraged to apply for a higher position. I'm proud to say I am now the Center Manager at Carbon Health Carlsbad. None of this would have been possible without the incredible support and encouragement I received from the staff and instructors at Pima Medical. They believed in me when I didn't fully believe in myself and constantly pushed me to grow. For that, I will always be grateful. Pima Medical Institute didn't just prepare me for a career, they helped me believe in myself.
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With 20 years in imaging, I knew I needed a degree that carried weight. I chose Pima Medical Institute in 2012 because their Bachelor of Science in Radiologic Sciences program is designed for technologists who are serious about their future. It turned my years of on-the-job knowledge into a professional foundation that continues to serve me every day in CT and radiologic technology.
Returning to school after years in the field was intimidating, and my biggest obstacle was simply finding the rhythm of academic life again. But the support system at Pima Medical was incredible. I wasn't just a number; I was a professional working toward a goal. Overcoming the challenge of juggling 40-plus hour work weeks with my studies gave me a sense of pride that was just as rewarding as the degree itself.
As someone working in CT, having that deeper academic understanding of cross-sectional anatomy was a game-changer. It moved me from just following protocols to truly understanding the "why" behind the pathology I was seeing on my screen. Pima Medical Institute didn't just teach me how to operate the machinery; they prepared me to be a critical thinker in a high-stakes environment.
I was already established in my career in Hanford, California, when I decided to pursue my bachelor's degree. I maintained my full-time position while completing the online program, which allowed me to apply what I was learning in real time. That decision recently paid off in a huge way: I applied for a Clinical Coordinator position, and having my degree was the key credential that qualified me for the role.
Beyond the career advancement, I am incredibly honored to share that I was recently invited to serve on the Pima Medical Institute Advisory Board. It is a privilege to return to my alma mater in this capacity and contribute to the future of the Radiography program. Being able to offer my 20 years of experience to help shape the next generation of technologists is a highlight of my career.
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