WELCOME HOME ALUMNI

I was a mother of four who was tired of the long hours spent working in restaurant and hotel management. I decided to make a change and enrolled in the Respiratory Therapy program at Pima Medical Institute. My mother had COPD and my daughter was born with breathing issues, so I was pretty familiar with the respiratory field. Despite my familiarity with the field, I was very nervous about going back to school. Once I realized I could do it, I started really enjoying learning. My clinicals gave me a wide variety of experiences that made me totally fall in love with the field, especially when I realized that I was the one helping a patient breathe. I was making it happen! After graduation, I struggled to find a job. I went back to retail for a little while, but then I was hired on with one of the Fundamental facilities. While I started by training the nursing staff on the stent unit, I continued to advance, and today I am the Director of Respiratory at our College Park facility. In fact, now I have PMI clinical students training in my department. I love seeing the look on their faces when they get their hands-on training. I often hire PMI graduates because they are confident, well trained, and I believe in them. I had the most amazing instructors at PMI, and I'm so thankful for my experience there. My next goal is to continue my education with PMI by enrolling in the BSRT program.

After attending university for a while, I realized that traditional school wasn't the right fit for me. I spent several years working in the hospitality industry in Las Vegas until a layoff pushed me to reconsider my career path. Instead of looking for another casino job, I decided to pursue a future in healthcare. After researching options, I chose Pima Medical Institute and was determined to take all the programs necessary to obtain my bachelors degree. I began with the Medical Administrative Assistant (MAA) program, building a solid foundation in the healthcare industry. From there I enrolled in the online Health Care Administration (HCA) program, gaining deeper knowledge in the field. I ultimately completed the Bachelor of Science in Health Care Administration (BSHCA) program, which provided invaluable lessons I had never received in previous academic experiences. Because of the intensive programs at Pima Medical, I was able to parlay that education and experience into a job at a home health organization, starting as a biller and quickly rising to the Director of the Billing Department. I later combined this experience with my hospitality background to land a job at Desert Valley Hospital, where I served as a Patient Experience Manager before being promoted to Director or Performance Improvement and Patient Experience. There I led projects to improve quality, reduce hospital-acquired illnesses and enhance patient satisfaction scores. Currently, I am the Director of Patient Experience at the University of Maryland - Upper Chesapeake Hospital. I am leading quality initiatives that drive patient satisfaction and community partnerships. Pima Medical gave me the foundation to excel in healthcare, and I'm incredibly grateful for the education that started me on this rewarding journey.

I wasn't really sure what I wanted to do with my life. I began working as a CNA, and through my experiences in the hospital, I became excited about a possible career in the medical field. I heard a commercial about Pima Medical Institute and decided the quickest way into a career was enrolling in their 9 month Medical Assistant program. That opened the door for me, but I loved learning and knew I wanted more. My dad passed away in 2015 from a drowning incident and that experience pushed me toward the respiratory therapy field. Through that incident I was able to observe the amazing work that respiratory therapists do and I said to myself, "I want to be one of them". One year after completing the MA program, I started Pima Medical's Respiratory Therapy program and I loved every moment of it! The program was challenging, but our classes were small and I connected with my classmates. We developed an almost family-type relationship. I loved my instructors; they really wanted us to succeed. After completing my clinical experience, I was hired at St Anthony North Medical Health Center in Westminster, CO. I love my job! Recently, I have been working in the COVID ICU. I help intubate, manage ventilators and endotracheal tubes and give breathing treatments to those struggling to breath. I feel like I have found my calling. I love Pima Medical. They did so much for me. Down the road I hope to continue my education by getting my bachelor's degree and possibly even obtaining my master's degree in the respiratory field.

I served in the US Air Force for over 12 years working in biomedical engineering and after medically retiring, I continued in the biomedical field working up to director level. But, I found myself feeling unfulfilled. While in the Air Force, I had been injured and received occupational therapy (OT) for almost two years. Long story short, I was an OT patient who fell in love with OT ... so I decided to take the risk of a career switch. While researching Pima Medical Institute's Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) program, I could not find one bad review. One day while feeling brave, I enrolled in the OTA program. The instructors were amazing, they all brought different perspectives and their breadth of experience added so much value. The way they handled us educationally was very OT like; lots of empathy, flexibility, individualized learning and challenges. By the end of my very first day of field work, I knew I had found my place and was meant to be an OTA. Finding a job was a seamless process. I had choices and I was able to leverage my previous experience into a nice entry-level salary. I am currently an OTA in Prescott Valley, AZ at an inpatient rehabilitation hospital that specializes in neuro and spine and I just love my job! Because my parents taught me the value of community involvement, I have been actively involved in our state and national OT professional associations. I serve on a justice, diversity, equity and inclusion national committee. Recently, I was surprised and honored to receive the Arizona OTA of the Year Award. I received a quality education from amazing instructors at Pima Medical Institute. My daughter is currently enrolled in their OTA program and that's about the best endorsement a mom could give!

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.

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.

My journey into healthcare wasn't planned. During my senior year of high school, I was preparing to study engineering when my dad passed away. It was a tough time, and I decided to take a break. My mom, a nurse, suggested I become a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA), so I completed an accelerated program and started working at Silver Hills Healthcare Center in Las Vegas. I never imagined a career in long-term care, but I excelled as a CNA and was promoted to rehab aide. One day my regional director, who saw potential in me, signed me up for an informational seminar at Pima Medical Institute for the Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) program. I attended, was intrigued, and decided to enroll. Balancing school and work wasn't easy, but Pima Medical made it possible. I worked flexible hours, attended classes and studied late into the evenings. The instructors were experienced, and the small class sizes made learning enjoyable. When I took the national licensing exam, I achieved one of the highest scores my instructor had ever seen. After working in the field, I wanted to grow my career even more, so I enrolled in Pima Medical's online Bachelor of Science in Health Care Administration (BSHCA) program. Today, I'm an Assistant Administrator at Alta Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation, finishing my Administrator in Training program. Soon, I'll sit for the licensing exam to become a Licensed Nursing Home Administrator, and my ultimate goal is to own a skilled nursing facility. Pima Medical gave me the tools and confidence to succeed. Their programs may cost a bit more, but they are efficient and effective with no prerequisites. I received a quality education at Pima Medical and I'm proud to be a graduate!

I knew since I was a child that I wanted to be in the medical field. When it came time for me to graduate from high school, I wasn't interested in a four-year college or university because I just wanted to jump right into the workforce as soon as possible and begin my career in the medical field. After explaining this to my gramma, she recommended Pima Medical Institute. We visited together and took a tour; I knew then that the nine-month Medical Assistant (MA) program was the best fit for me. My experience as a student was amazing! The MA program is an accelerated program and while you're learning lots of information in a short time, the hands-on practice helps you apply your skills and prepares you for the profession. All the nerves, tears and anxiousness were so worth it. I was so well prepared for my six-week externship that I was offered a position as an MA upon completion. I am still employed there and I recently began going back to school to obtain my associates in Nursing with plans to continue on to get my bachelor's (BSN) degree. I want to say thank you to every single one of my instructors. Pima Medical changed my life, and I will always be grateful for the education I received, the lifelong relationships I built with my instructors and classmates, and the lasting career it has given me.

My wife, a nurse for 12 years, always encouraged me to join the medical field, but I kept putting it off. I worked as an insurance adjuster, traveling to areas hit by natural disasters, often being gone for 21 days at a time. With young children and older kids involved in activities, I was missing too much. One day, I told my wife I was ready to resign and pursue a medical career at the end of the year. Just a week later, I was let go from my job. We actually laughed at the timing. At the same time, my grandmother began having health problems. Caring for her made me realize the urgency of getting into the medical field-not just for my career, but to better understand her needs. My best friend had gone through Pima Medical's Practical Nursing (PN) program and had encouraged me to join him, but I wasn't ready then. Now, I knew it was the right choice and the right timing. The PN program was very challenging for me, but I developed a strong small group of classmates who supported me and I had caring instructors who offered extra help. However, when my dear grandmother passed away on Christmas Eve, I was crushed. She had raised me and was my biggest cheerleader and I just wanted to quit. I arranged to meet with my director to withdraw from the program, but she encouraged me to stay. My wife reminded me why I had started the program, and decided to continue. I completed the PN program but still struggling with the loss, I failed my NCLEX exam twice. I felt so defeated, but I knew I couldn't give up. After passing on my third attempt, I drove to Pima Medical to hug my program director and we shared an emotional moment. I am excited for my new career at the Center at Lowry, a rehabilitation facility where I did clinicals. I can't thank Pima Medical Institute enough; the instructors, especially Director Risner, were amazing and I wouldn't be where I am without them!