Page 41 - 45th Anniversary Alumni Success Stories

While in the police academy, I injured my shoulder. As I
spent time in physical therapy, I began to envision myself
working as a therapist. Shortly afterward, I was given a
vocational rehabilitation assignment to research possible
career options where I recognized Occupational Therapy
as a great career option. I immediately enrolled in the
Occupational Therapy Assistant program at PMI.

I had no previous background in anatomy and physiology,
so it was pretty challenging, but my instructor was amazing!
Rehabilitation is both an emotional and a personal journey
for a patient. As a therapist, you have to simultaneously
care for your patient and be passionate about what you’re
doing. My PMI training taught me how to do this.

During my second semester, I became very interested
in hand therapy. I learned I’d have to progress from an
OTA to an Occupational Therapist in order to specialize
in that area. When I graduated from PMI, I was also
close to having a bachelor’s degree, so I finished that
and then went directly into my master’s at Western New
Mexico University. I recently graduated as an Occupational
Therapist and am currently seeking a position special-
izing in hand therapy. I am serving on the Arizona State
Board for OT and I recently had an article published in
our professional journal. I’m considering pursuing my
doctorate degree.

I cannot thank PMI and my instructors enough! Were it
not for them, I don’t know what I’d be doing – but I know
I wouldn’t be enjoying life as much as I am! Thanks PMI!

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