I once dreamt of a high power job working on the top floor of a sky scraper. I graduated with my bachelor's and obtained a good position with a fortune 500 company where I learned valuable information, but felt unfulfilled. I had a desire to help people and make a difference, so when my mother suggested looking into occupational therapy I jumped in feet first.
I enrolled in Pima Medical Institute's Occupational Therapy Assistant program because their accelerated curriculum, class schedule and location fit my needs. My experience was quite different than my bachelor's had been, in that the instructors had on-the-job experience and there was significantly more hands-on learning. As students, we were encouraged to become involved in the OT community and I continue to play an active role by holding board positions and sitting on ad hoc committees in our state associations. Through networking, I received a position in subacute rehabilitation and worked my way into management.
Currently, I am an OTA instructor back at the PMI campus where I once attended. It wasn't that long ago I sat in those same chairs and, consequently, I understand the challenges and pressures my students face. I didn't just find a job; I found a profession and a career I am proud of and extremely happy to support on a daily basis. I am thankful to PMI for the education I received and now for the opportunity to continue to educate others in the OTA profession. I'm not in a sky scraper (although my office is on the 5th floor) but I love my job!
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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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My wife first attended Pima Medical Institute's Nursing program. She inspired me to pursue a degree in the medical field. After she graduated I researched my options and chose the Radiography program because of its growth potential and the opportunity to help others.
It was definitely a big change leaving a career in the retail business and becoming a student again in my mid-thirties. Some sacrifices were necessary but the whole experience was well worth it, especially considering the result, a new career.
Our instructors were definitely committed to our success and their standards were high. They definitely wanted to put high caliber students into the radiography field and these high standards prepared us for the profession. The contacts, opportunities and experience I encountered while a student during my clinical rotations at UNMH prepared me for my first position there.
I would definitely like to recognize Darren Warner for his hard work and commitment to his students during my tenure at PMI. He worked more than his fair share to ensure our success at PMI.
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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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I was 30 years old and my life was at a standstill. I had been working retail for 12 years and I was constantly taking random classes at the community college, but I had no direction or plan. That's when I saw a TV advertisement for Pima Medical Institute and made an appointment and met my admissions advisor, Robert. He was so pleasant and explained the process for a career in the medical field. I enrolled in the Medical Administrative Assistant program and I finally had a plan!
It wasn't easy. I was working a lot and struggling with some personal issues, but my instructors helped and pushed me. One thing I loved about Pima Medical is that everyone encouraged me and no one would let me give up. My externship was challenging because it was something brand new. After all, I had only worked retail for 12 years and that's all I knew. But I got more comfortable as time when on and it was very rewarding. It was a great celebration when I finished and graduated.
I enjoy my new career as a medical receptionist. Going through this program has stretched me so much! Now I am considering going back to Pima Medical to get my associate degree. I know I can do more. After years of wasting time trying to figure out what I wanted to do, I finally have a career. For anyone like me who is trying to figure out a career path, I suggest you come to Pima Medical.
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I was raising four children and getting away from a domestic abuse situation when I moved to Las Vegas. I had been to college for accounting and business, but knew I needed a new direction. Through my daughter's asthma and my exposure to the medical field, I realized I wanted to help others. After researching, I found Pima Medical Institute's Respiratory Therapy program and ended up getting the last spot in my class.
Toward the end of the program, my daughter was kidnapped. I still made it to my clinical site after looking for her all over Vegas and putting up posters. I was so close to graduation and didn't want to quit. It is certainly an accelerated program and wasn't easy, but my instructors saw potential in me and pushed me. In fact, one of my instructors spent extra time tutoring me on mechanical ventilation so I wouldn't fail. Thankfully, we ended up finding my daughter. It was such a painful time in my life, but when I walked across that stage at graduation, I felt so fulfilled.
I had several job offers, but chose to accept a respiratory therapist position at UMC where I had completed my clinicals. Later, my career took me to the Veterans Affair where I ran a C-Pap Clinic for a time. Currently, my husband and I own our own company, Simply Medical Recruiting. We even work with Pima Medical's career services department to help find positions for their graduates.
Pima Medical is a gateway to a better life. It has changed my life and has continued to open doors for me.
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After high school I thought I might be interested in business and tried college classes. But after having a child and looking for a long-lasting, stable career, I decided to pursue the medical field and enrolled in the Medical Assistant program at Pima Medical Institute. What a different environment from my previous college experiences where I felt left on my own. Pima Medical's program is structured with clear expectations, an end date and the support you need. Everything you're learning is critical to your new career. My instructor was great and I am still in contact with several of my classmates (from 10 years ago).
I began my job with Healthcare Partners in medical records. , I didn't really enjoy it, but took the opportunity to grow within the clinic. Not long after transitioning to a Medical Assistant position, I realized I wanted to be in leadership. I enrolled in Pima Medical's online Healthcare Administration (HCA) program and after completing my associate degree, I became a supervisor. After becoming a practice manager, I knew I wanted more so I earned my bachelor's degree in HCA. The online programs at Pima Medical are challenging, but also manageable. The instructors are supportive and understand you have a life and a job. I was able to apply what I was learning in the program while managing both an Urgent Care and a Medicare Advantage Clinic.
Currently, I am employed with Optum United Healthcare in a corporate leadership position where I am managing a team of 19 people. I love my job! My boss is supportive, encouraging my growth and education, so I have enrolled in the Master of Science in Organizational Leadership (MSOL) program. I am utilizing the tools I am learning in my classes to help build leaders within my organization. Having degrees in healthcare, particularly a master's degree, is the future of healthcare.
I'm grateful I could continue my education at Pima Medical in short chunks; taking time off in between to rest and utilize what I'd learned. Making time for that first program can be hard, but education always pays off. Your future is worth it!
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I was in my early 20's, ready to complete a degree in finance when I realized I really didn't want to spend my life sitting behind a desk. I had a few family members working in the radiography field and I noticed they not only had a great career, but they could choose to work in different modalities and had lots of variety in their jobs. I began researching, found Pima Medical Institute's Radiography program and enrolled.
I had wonderful instructors! It's an intense and tough program, but the way the program is structured really makes you feel prepared for your profession. I enjoyed the shorter rotations for clinicals which exposed me to many different areas and modalities. Once I knew what I was looking for, I was able to complete multiple rotations in my area of interest which prepared me for a job at that very location. I was hired at University of New Mexico Hospital (UNMH) and after a year I was promoted to a charge technologist and almost 2 years ago I moved into the role of General Radiology Supervisor. I love the fast-paced environment at UNMH. We're the only trauma one hospital in the state and we see something new every day. I'm not the only Pima Medical graduate in my department, we currently have five employees that were my classmates and each year I hire multiple new Pima Medical new graduates.
Pima Medical provided a great education and really prepared me for the field.
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After being a truck driver and construction worker for 20 plus years, I made a promise to my mother before she died that I would go back to school. For nearly five years I passed Pima Medical Institute on my daily drive, and finally found the courage to pull in and take the pretest for the Nursing program. Going back to school at age 50 was scary, but I loved the atmosphere, the instructors and my classmates at Pima Medical. The instructors did an exceptional and extraordinary job preparing us for the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX).
I applied at Banner Desert in Mesa where I had completed my clinicals and I was hired. It was 2019, and I was immediately thrown into the COVID Pandemic. A year later I decided to become a traveling nurse. Initially, I worried I might not be qualified enough or have enough experience, but I quickly got over that. Every place is different, but most of the core staff really appreciates the relief that travelers provide. I have been to 10 different places in four years. I'm considered a Banner Staffing Traveler within the Banner facilities nationwide and I call Banner Tucson my home, as it is where I spend the most time. Some of the challenges of being a traveler are finding a place to live and being away from family and friends. But, I am getting experience and confidence in different facilities and becoming more adaptable and flexible in my career. Plus, I am making a great salary.
Pima Medical Institute changed my life forever. I made some lifelong friends during my experience, I had some incredible, humble, giving and caring instructors and I am truly grateful!
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At age 19, I started at Pima Medical Institute after realizing that my initial path at UNM wasn't the right fit for me at that time. A friend suggested looking into CT technology, and after some research, I found that Pima Medical's Radiography (RAD) program offered a quicker and more fitting path to my career goals. The structured environment in the RAD program was exactly what I needed, although it wasn't always easy. My father passed away during my second semester, which made it tough to stay on track, but with the support of the school, I persevered. The clinical experiences were mostly positive, giving me valuable hands-on learning. Even in challenging situations, I gained skills by working independently, which proved to be great learning experiences.
Graduating in 2004, I entered the workforce during a tech shortage and quickly landed a job. I started in x-ray and, over the years, expanded my expertise by becoming registered in mammography, bone density, and MRI. However, I chose to focus on mammography, as it offered a better work-life balance compared to MRI.
After a decade at a hospital, I transitioned to a quieter clinic setting where I could work more independently, which suits me well. I've been at a small clinic for nearly a year now, enjoying the stability and better hours. Alongside my career, I'm also completing my bachelor's degree in university studies, thanks to a state program offering free classes to those close to finishing their degree.
Looking ahead, I'm content with where I am but open to new opportunities, possibly in management. Pima Medical set me up for success, giving me the tools I needed to start and grow my career in radiology. Now 20 years later, I'm grateful for the education and experiences that have brought me to where I am today.
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When I first walked through the doors of Pima Medical Institute, life was a challenge! My husband was out of work, and we, along with our six-month-old baby, were living with his mother. Plus, I had dropped out of school at 5th grade and since my mother wasn't familiar with homeschooling, I taught myself at home through high school. Today, after completing four programs, we own a beautiful home, and our now eight-year-old daughter is thriving. Our lives have completely transformed. I'm a 5th grade dropout with a master's degree - nothing is impossible if you really want it.
I began with the nine-month Medical Assistant (MA) program. Balancing full-time work and school was tough-I cried many times on my drive to class-but I never gave up. I was determined to build a better life for my family. That determination drove me to continue my education, earning my associate degree in Health Care Administration (HCA), a Bachelor of Science in Health Care Administration (BSHCA), and eventually a Master of Science in Organizational Leadership (MSOL).
Throughout this journey, I've worked and gone to school simultaneously. Thanks to the education and skills I gained at Pima Medical, I've never struggled to find opportunities. In fact, I've had the privilege of being selective about my career path. I've grown from being an MA to a referral coordinator, and now, I'm in my first management position-a role I secured a month before earning my master's degree. Each program at Pima Medical played a crucial role in my career progression. My master's degree, in particular, has been invaluable. As a clinic manager building a new practice from scratch, I've relied on the knowledge I gained every step of the way.
Thank you, Pima Medical Institute, for changing my life and helping me achieve my dreams. If only my first instructor, Ms. Lakeeta Garfield, could see me now. So often her words - "Be thorough," have run through my mind. I have strived to be thorough in everything I do and I have been successful.
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I have always wanted a career in healthcare. I had previously pursued a nursing route, but was discouraged and unsure if nursing was really what I wanted to do. I came to Pima Medical Institute interested in the Pharmacy Technician program, but the admissions counselor I spoke to asked if I had heard about Respiratory Therapy (RT). She showed me a video explaining what an RT did and I was sold. Then and there, I found my calling. I was meant to be a Respiratory Therapist. I graduated from the Respiratory Therapy (RT) program with an Associate of Occupational Science in 2011. Knowing where the industry was headed, and my drive to move beyond bedside, I enrolled in the online Bachelor of Science in Respiratory Therapy program (BSRT) and graduated in 2014. Since then I have worked in a critical access hospital, an acute care hospital, and a level IV Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). The NICU was my favorite place to work and where I excelled. My experience allowed me to sit for three additional specialty certifications, adding some hard-earned credentials to my resume.
Along the way, I found my second calling and passion - teaching all things respiratory. I continued on to obtain a Master's degree, which opened up another door for career advancement. I began teaching in a local respiratory therapy program while still working bedside, waiting to make the full transition into education. Fortunately, an opportunity came up to teach in the very same program here at Pima Medical Institute where I had attended 14 years earlier. Here I am, walking the same halls and teaching in the same classrooms I was a student in many years ago. I've come full circle from student to faculty ... I am still learning and doing what I love!
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