WELCOME HOME ALUMNI

I always wanted to be successful, but I wasn't sure what I wanted to do with my life until my son was born. After a year of being a stay at home mom, I realized I wanted to find a position in the medical field where I could help others. I found Pima Medical Institute and enrolled in their Medical Assistant program. I chose this career path because there are endless job opportunities and I'm able to help others who need assistance. I was excited to put all the knowledge I'd learned in my classes to work at my externship site. As the end of my program neared, I began nervously submitting my resume to various facilities. I was so concerned I wouldn't get any responses. But, I started getting calls almost every day for job interviews and my worries went right out the window! I was blessed to get two job offers right away at a doctor's office and an urgent care. Two months later I received a call from a health insurance company and got the job I'd been longing for. I am proud to say I work for an amazing company that has given me the opportunity to be the OB Coordinator for six hospitals in the state of Arizona!

I grew up in a medical environment as my dad was a Navy doctor and my mom was a nurse. I ended up getting a bachelor's degree in biology and after working for a time in construction, decided my love of animals was prompting me to pursue a career in the veterinary field. I heard about Pima Medical Institute and liked the idea that I would get experience in the field through their Veterinary Assistant program. I still remember my first day of the VA program when my instructor looked at me and said, "You have a degree and are way overqualified for this." I explained I wanted to learn the basics of caring for animals and get hands-on experience. It's been over 25 years and that instructor and I are still in touch. She always told us, "I can teach you how to do a procedure correctly, but it's more important to teach you the WHY." I still emphasize this and repeat it often to my staff. While working as a VA, I applied to veterinary schools, but my bachelor's degree GPA was low and I was rejected from many vet schools. Finally, I was accepted at an offshore school in the Caribbean and later transferred to Kansas State, where I earned my Doctor of Veterinary Medicine in 2002. I was a Veterinarian at a couple of clinics before owning my own. Over the years, I have hired graduates from Pima Medical and have taken their externs. They still offer a very good program and teach the basics. My time at Pima Medical was an opportunity and a doorway into the veterinary world. I am a great example that it's not always about grades. If you have passion and are willing to work hard, you can accomplish your goals. My mom always told me, "As long as you are doing something you love, you'll be happy!" Down the road, I think I might enjoy returning to Pima Medical ... this time as an instructor.

My dad had a bout of pneumonia and ended up on a ventilator and I was fascinated watching the respiratory therapist control my dad's breathing. I'd been working in the auto industry, never thought I was college material, but I my family believed in and motivated me to look into the field. I set up a tour of Pima Medical Institute with the program director and as I saw the facility and listened to her, I fell in love with her passion for respiratory therapy. Being a student at Pima Medical was certainly challenging for me, but the support I had from instructors and classmates was amazing. Our class decided that no one was going to fail, so when someone was struggling with a concept, we all rallied around them. The instructors were always available for extra help and by the time I got to clinicals, I really felt prepared. Prior to graduation I obtained a position with Banner South, a hospital that had been part of my community since I'd been a child. While performing bedside care as a respiratory therapist, I recognized that healthcare doesn't stop at the bedside. I became interested in looking at how, for example, a patient's social economic situation impacted their outcome. Knowing I wanted to make a bigger impact and with the confidence I gained from my time at PMI I went on and continued my education earning my bachelor's in applied management and ultimately my MBA. I navigated my way throughout the healthcare system from beside care, care coordination, to quality improvement. Wanting to be more proactive than reactive, I took a position as Senior Manager of Medicare Administration. We not only looked at how we delivered advantage plan benefits, I'm proud to say we instituted a non-traditional innovative program for our patients. Recently, I accepted a position as Director of Care Delivery Operations for Banner Health Corporate. I recognize that in order for bedside staff to offer their best care, processes and supply have to be in place. I can now play a role in making that happen and that is very exciting! Pima Medical provided the necessary educational and support a guy - who didn't think he was college material - needed in order to have the confidence to be successful. Next step - CEO!

My journey with Pima Medical Institute began unexpectedly while working at Chipotle to fund my dream of attending Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) school. A co-worker there who was attending Pima Medical told me about the Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) program. I had never heard of a PTA before, but I was intrigued and secured an interview the following week and was accepted into the program in early 2012. The deciding factors were the program's affordability and the expedited entry into a career in the medical field. The PTA program proved demanding, surpassing the rigor of my previous bachelor's degree. Juggling a full-time job alongside the intensive program was challenging, but I knew I had to take my school work seriously in order to be successful in my new career. One thing I appreciated was how dedicated the instructor team was at helping each student be successful. The supportive environment allowed for unlimited questions and open hours on non-class days, facilitating additional preparation for exams. I secured my first job with Children's Hospital Colorado, despite the advertised requirement of three years of experience. Since 2014, I have been dedicated to Inpatient Rehab Physical Therapist at the Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders. I have also had the privilege of being a Colorado State Physical Therapy Board member since 2019, serving as Vice President for three years (2020, 2021, 2024). Additionally, I contribute to the Advisory Board for Pima Medical's PTA program at the Denver Campus. My gratitude to my former instructors knows no bounds. Their support, starting from granting me a chance, has been unwavering even a decade after completing the program. I whole heartedly endorse Pima Medical Institute, confident in the transformative journey it offers to aspiring health professionals.

After years of bouncing between retail and fast food jobs, I found myself questioning the direction of my life. Dissatisfied and yearning for something more meaningful, I explored careers in the medical field but many required prerequisites. That's when I discovered the Sterile Processing Technician (SPT) program at Pima Medical Institute during a meeting with an advisor. It sounded really interesting to me and I decided just to go for it. Being part of the very first SPT program at the Denver Campus meant small class sizes and lots of personal attention. Sterile Processing fascinated me with its intricate details, providing constant mental stimulation. When I began my clinical work in the hospital, nerves got the best of me, leading to anxious mornings. Yet, as I embraced the experience, the fear subsided and I found purpose in the crucial role Sterile Processing plays and I was hired by the hospital where I completed my clinicals. Two years later, I moved to my current employer, Valley Regional Medical Center in Arkansas Valley, where I am the SPD Supervisor. I oversee the setup, sterilization and ordering processes, including implants and replacement parts. The responsibility is immense, but the challenge fuels my passion. I've recently returned to school online to pursue Practical Nursing (LPN), aspiring to advance to a Scrub Technician role here at the hospital and perhaps become a traveler in the future. I had such a great experience at Pima Medical Institute and if I had the chance for a redo - I would do it all over again. I finally feel like I am doing something meaningful with my life.

After moving from Texas to Colorado for a fresh start, I was determined to build a stable career in the medical field. Research led me to Pima Medical Institute, and from the moment I began speaking with admissions, I knew it was the right choice. Despite facing many challenges, I embarked on the Medical Assistant (MA) program with unwavering determination. I started living in my car three weeks after starting the MA program. I was juggling homelessness, school and a full-time job. I struggled finding safe places to park, hot and cold nights, and finding time between work and school to do homework, sleep and get to the gym to take showers. I found incredible support from caring and understanding instructors who became like family to me. They provided resources and encouragement, helping me navigate the toughest moments. As difficult as my situation was, school was my biggest motivation and the people at Pima Medical were my support and prepared me for my future. Thanks to great instructors and comprehensive training, I excelled at my externship at Advanced Urgent Care, impressing my supervisors enough to secure a job offer before even graduating. To my instructors at Pima Medical, I owe a debt of gratitude. I am the person I am today because of you. Your unwavering support and belief in me kept me going when times were toughest. Thank you for never giving up on me. You've shaped me into the professional I am today and I will forever be grateful.

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.

My mom had been a nurse in the Philippines, but after moving to the US she cared for us and began working as a phlebotomist. This influenced my decision to go into the medical field after high school. On a whim one day, I stopped by Pima Medical Institute and ended up enrolling in the three-month Phlebotomy program which started two weeks later. It was fast paced and very different from high school as students were all ages and yet we were all looking for a change or a new career. Even though our time together was short, it felt like family. My first job was with a blood donation company and after moving to eastern Washington, I worked at a hospital. This gave me a variety of experiences and built my confidence and I later transitioned into dialysis. I knew I eventually wanted to become a Medical Assistant (MA) and even though Pima Medical was a long commute, I had confidence in them so I enrolled in the MA program. I was pregnant, worked full time and had a long commute each day, but I did it! I feel like Pima Medical helped shape me into a resilient person. After graduation I worked at a hospital and a few other sites as an MA. But it wasn't long before I began to envision myself in administration, so I chose to complete the Health Care Administration online associate degree. That program gave me so much confidence and I loved it. After graduating, I saw an opening for a Career Services Advisor at Pima Medical, applied, and got the job. Now, I get to guide students and share my journey with them. Watching them grow reminds me of my own transformation. Pima Medical has been a constant in my life, and I'm proud to be part of a team that changes lives every day.

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!