When I came to Pima Medical Institute, I was a single mom with a teenage daughter. I had attended college in the past but was left with a useless degree working a job that wasn't paying the bills. I like helping people but don't really like to touch them, so the Pharmacy Technician program was a perfect fit for me.
Since graduating in 2014, I've held various roles within the pharmacy community; from retail, to long-term care, to home infusion where I am currently working. I am part of an amazing team at Providence Infusion and Pharmacy where I get to help patients that are receiving home IV treatments. I've also recently expanded my knowledge and have moved into a billing role.
In the seven and a half years since I've graduated from Pima Medical, I've doubled my income and have been able to provide my daughter with a life we would never have had before. We take multiple vacations a year, we have our own home, and we both drive great vehicles and she is working on becoming a pilot. We have a life we never could've dreamed possible, and I was able to build amazing friendships in the process.
Pima Medical was most definitely the right choice for me. Most recently, I've been looking into continuing my education and going for a bachelor's in Health Care Administration. I can't thank Pima Medical enough for what they've done for me and my family. I wake up every morning excited to come to work and help people. I love what I do!
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When my children were heading off to college, I realized it was my turn to invest in myself. I wanted a career that aligned with my passions-health, fitness and helping people-while also offering job stability and global opportunities. Becoming a Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) checked all the boxes, and after researching different programs, Pima Medical Institute stood out as the perfect fit for my timeline and lifestyle.
Going back to school after 15 years as a stay-at-home soccer mom was the hardest thing I've ever done. The fast-paced, condensed program challenged me academically, and the commute from Tacoma to North Seattle meant long days followed by even longer nights of studying. But Pima Medical provided endless support-faculty were always available, and I took advantage of every extra lab and hands-on practice session. They held us to high standards because patients deserve the best, not just someone getting by.
After graduation, I started at an orthopedic outpatient clinic, later transitioning to Olympic Sports and Spine, where I earned my orthopedic sports certification and became a Certified Lymphatic Therapist. Eventually, I sought a setting that allowed more personalized patient care, leading me to a private practice where I now enjoy one-on-one treatment sessions. I plan to retire here.
Pima Medical gave me the knowledge, confidence, and professionalism to succeed. Even after graduating, I've stayed connected with my instructors, who were always honest, supportive and dedicated. My career allows me to keep learning and growing, and for that, I'm forever grateful.
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I was halfway through a business degree but was longing for something different when I broke my ankle snowboarding. I began asking questions of the guy who did my x-rays. He had been a PMI grad and spoke highly of the program and encouraged me to pursue Radiography. I liked the idea that I could have a career in 2 years, so I did a little research, and it was obvious that Pima was the best program, so I signed up.
The RAD program was very challenging and yet rewarding at the same time. As most of us know our patients don't always look like they do in the text books, but it was those challenges that made me a better technologist. At times I felt like I was learning a new language but it also felt very natural. When I finished my last clinical rotation at Kaiser Permanente they encouraged me to apply for a position. I was hired as an on call technologist, which later led to a full time position. Just a few years later I became a Medical Imaging Supervisor at Kaiser. When I first transitioned into my role as a Supervisor I was worried that I wouldn't be able to take x-rays but luckily I still get to.
PMI did a great job preparing me for my profession. I'm currently pursing my bachelor's degree in Health Care Administration. I don't believe I would have the confidence or the skill set to progress as I have in management without my education at Pima.
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Ultimately healthcare is what I always wanted to do, but I had never gotten around to it as life kept getting in the way. I was working at a print shop and was a father to two children with a third on the way. My father approached me one day about my dream to be in healthcare and he challenged me to pursue it. He plainly said, "It's either now or never." He drove me to PMI and I filled out the application, interviewed and was accepted into the Respiratory Therapy program. My instructors were prepared, knowledgeable and enthusiastic and prepared me to succeed. My parents were my rock and helped me balanced school, work and family.
I have had a great deal of experience in our field; I've earned my bachelor's degree and hope to pursue a masters in Healthcare Administration in the near future. I have had the blessed opportunity to train and grow within the field of Respiratory Therapy which includes treating patients of all ages, education and department management. I am currently the director of Respiratory Therapy, Patient Experience, Pastoral Care and Volunteer Services at a hospital in southern Arizona. It is with a heart full of respect, love and gratitude that I share my story as PMI has taught me how to not only clinically care for our patients and their families but to also do it in a manner that is individualized, respectful and compassionate. Thank you Pima Medical Institute you have greatly helped my dreams come true!
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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
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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!
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I've always been interested in the medical field, but more from the cosmetic side. While working the front desk at a medical spa, I slowly began falling in love with hands-on patient care, so I researched schools and programs and decided Pima Medical Institute was the best option for me! I didn't need prerequisites required at many other institutions, the price was right, and I could become a licensed Medical Assistant in just 10 months.
I love how Pima sets up your schedule and includes books, uniforms, and everything needed for the program. Of course I was nervous, but everyone made me feel comfortable. I'm so thankful for my amazing instructors! Toward the end of my program, I went through a very difficult time. No one knew it then, but I was actually living in a hotel. I was able to focus and complete the program because the people at PMI were constantly caring for me; I felt the dedication from my instructors.
When it came time for my externship, my Career Services Advisor really listened to me and sent me to a site that met my needs. I so appreciate that! Even though my plan was to get back into medical esthetics, I spent several years working in a number of medical specialty areas, expanding my knowledge base. Recently, I opened my own beauty studio where I do make up, facials, and micro blading. I never would have had the confidence to step out on my own without my experience at PMI. There is no other school that cares for its students like Pima does.
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After graduating from high school, I attended UTEP (University of Texas at El Paso) but despite attempting a number of majors, I still didn't have a plan. The thing that brought me joy was volunteering at the shelter where I adopted my dog. I really loved working with the animals and it made me realize that's what I was meant to do.
I began researching schools with a veterinary program around El Paso and found Pima Medical Institute and enrolled in the Veterinary Assistant program. I cannot tell you how excited and joyful I was to finally start on a path to a career I knew I would love! I had a great experience during my 9-month program. My instructor was wonderful and I received lots of hands-on practice. I was placed in Boerne, near San Antonio, at the Cibolo Creek Veterinary Hospital for my externship and before I left to head back to El Paso, they offered me a position!
After almost three years as a Veterinary Assistant I decided to continue my education and enrolled in the Veterinary Technician program, this time at the Pima Medical in San Antonio. I have been learning so much and am enjoying getting exposure in different areas like exotics and livestock. I appreciate my instructors sharing their experiences and providing hands-on instruction. I plan to graduate later this year.
I love the veterinary field and I am so thankful to Pima Medical for providing a path to a great career that I love!
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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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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.
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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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had just graduated from high school and was searching for a career that would allow me to help others while staying active. When I discovered Pima Medical Institute's Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) program, I knew it was the perfect fit. The opportunity to complete the program in just 18 months and start my dream job immediately was exactly what I was looking for.
My experience at Pima Medical was amazing. The class schedule allowed me to balance my studies with a part-time job, which was important for supporting myself. The coursework was challenging, but my instructors were incredibly supportive and always took the time to help me understand difficult concepts. I especially appreciated how they related the material to real-world, clinical situations, making everything we learned feel more relevant and practical. The hands-on experience in our lab and during clinical rotations was invaluable. It solidified my skills and prepared me for the workforce. Right after graduation I was hired at Athletico, where I've been working ever since. I'm currently pursuing a certification in pelvic floor therapy, a field I'm very passionate about. I am looking forward to raising awareness about its importance for overall well-being.
I'm so grateful to my instructors at Pima Medical. The education I received there truly shaped me into the clinician I am today. I highly recommend Pima Medical to anyone looking to pursue a career in healthcare - it's an amazing school.
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I completed my bachelor's degree in child development and worked at child care centers for a number of years, but something inside me always longed to be in the medical field. My dad was a physical therapist assistant and later became an RN, so I had lots of exposure to the medical field. But, it's very difficult to switch careers. After a coworker told me about Pima Medical Institute, I began taking steps to enroll in the Medical Assistant (MA) program. I was still working full-time so the hybrid MA program, which offered online learning and the opportunity to attend classes two nights a week, was exactly what I needed. I loved my experience as a student and appreciated my instructors. It was tough attending classes and working full-time, but I was diligent with my studies and disciplined myself to study on weekends. When it came time for my clinicals, I quit my child care job and began applying all I had learned in my classes at a family medicine clinic. The people I worked with really helped me and I was able to apply the skills I had learned, gain experience and also increase my confidence. It was probably my favorite part of my education.
Finding a job ended up being a lot easier than I had anticipated. I am currently working as an MA at Parker Pediatrics and Adolescence. I love my job! I am able to marry all my experience working with children and my new career in the medical field. I really enjoy the people I work with and it's providing me a ton of opportunities for further growth and learning. I'm not finished with education, so I am in the process of getting my bachelor of science in nursing. Pima Medical gave me my start in the medical field. Being able to work full time while obtaining my MA certificate was so worth it and provided a jumping off point for me into the medical field.
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