WELCOME HOME ALUMNI

Before attending Pima Medical Institute, I had tried taking classes at the university, worked a few years as a lifeguard, and had been unemployed for a year. When my grandmother encouraged me look into a career taking x-rays, I researched and found Pima Medical and enrolled in their Radiography program. Going back to school at 30 years of age was challenging, but what a difference it was being in a class of only 25 students at Pima Medical rather than my previous experience of 300-500 students at ASU. I found it so much easier to focus and my instructors were great! By the time I graduated I had job offers from both of my clinical sites. I worked in a hospital setting as a radiologic technologist for two years and then returned to school to pursue a post-graduate education in St. Louis. In April 2019 I graduated from Logan University with a Doctorate in Chiropractic. Pima Medical not only gave me the start I needed in the medical field, it gave me a huge advantage over my classmates at Logan. Even though I was taught by many well-known chiropractic doctors, I still consider my Pima Medical instructor, Mike Hawkes, to be the best instructor I ever had. At 39 years of age I am opening my own business, Pyle Family Chiropractic, in Peoria, AZ. If you had told me nine years ago when I started Pima Medical that I would be a doctor and a small business owner, I would have said you were crazy! I'm so thankful for the start Pima Medical provided me! Dr. Nicholas Pyle DC R.T.(R)(ARRT)

Both of my parents have careers in the medical field and my older sister was working as an X-ray technologist's assistant at the same hospital. I had many broken bones as a kid and recall getting many X-rays, but when my sister started talking about what happens behind the scenes in her department, I started considering a career as a radiologic technologist. Both my sister and my mom encouraged me toward the Radiography program at Pima Medical Institute. It is a robust program for sure. It was super challenging for me and required a lot of study. But, the instructors were very knowledgeable and encouraging. I formed great relationships with my classmates; we became quite close and helped each other get through the program. It was quite intimidating to walk into my clinicals. Although I was well prepared and had help from the technologists, it was quite overwhelming to be in trauma situations and be interacting with nurses and doctors in real life situations. I worked really hard in my final round of my clinicals at Sharp Memorial Hospital and a couple months after graduation, I was hired as a radiologic technologist. I spend the majority of my time in the ER and I really enjoy my current job, but may consider a position in mammography in the future. I want to thank Pima Medical and especially my instructor, Dr. Schmidt, who was so helpful and supportive. I was in a terrible car accident during the program and without her guidance I may not have been able to finish my program. I am 23-years-old, I have a career in the medical field and I am really proud of myself.

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!

I was quite sick as a child and spent a significant amount of time at the doctor and in hospitals. When I found myself married with a child and expecting another, I needed a career. My experiences I'd had as a child inspired me to enroll in the Medical Assistant (MA) program at Pima Medical Institute. After graduating, I worked for a family practice doctor for 29 years. While there I had the privilege of learning from both the doctor and his physician's assistant. My desire was to become a nurse, but by then I was a divorced single mom with three kids and couldn't afford to quit my job. About that time Pima Medical let me know they had a new online associate degree in Health Care Administration (HCA) and I enrolled. It was exhausting, but at the same time exciting to learn new things about healthcare. I wanted to keep learning, so I continued with the HCA bachelor's degree. While going to school, I was promoted to lead assistant and then office manager. I found myself teaching the doctor what I was learning about running an office in my online classes. I felt like our roles were changing from him training me, to me training him. Currently, I am teaching in the Health Care Administration Certificate program at Pima Medical's Aurora Campus and substituting at the Denver Campus. I've come full circle. My sister graduated from the Radiology program, my brother from the Respiratory Therapy program and my daughter from the Surgical Technician program. Pima Medical feels like home to me and I'm so glad to be teaching there. I can relate to my student's struggles and still encourage them to continue their education. Through the years, I know I have mentored many students to achieve their dream job.

While in high school I had the opportunity to shadow a respiratory therapist in the ICU. They were running life support on people who were totally out of it and I saw the huge impact they were making on people's lives. I thought - what a cool mission to help people without them even being aware of it. When I asked their RT director where he liked to hire new graduates from, he said - Pima Medical Institute. Then I called a couple more hospital RT directors and asked the same question and they all said, Pima Medical. I enrolled shortly after high school, and although I'd been told in the past that I needed remedial help, I flourished. My instructors were amazing; they were passionate about the field and it was infectious. They would often provide a scenario that would help with the application of what we were learning. I am now a teacher and a shadow of my instructors. To this day I incorporate scenario-based education because of them. I ended up being hired as a student intern at my first clinical rotation and upon graduation went right into their ICU training. I was a new grad in a critical care unit at a level one trauma center working in NICU, high risk deliveries and advanced diagnostics and I loved it! After 11 years, I'd completed my bachelor's and obtained a number of specialty credentials, all of which prepared me to become an instructor at Pima Medical. Now I get to take bland material in a book and "turn on the light" for my students. I get to bring the functional application into their brains in a way they can apply it through games and role play. I am teaching the Pima Medical way - framing the knowledge for each student and providing a reason for them to see and understand concepts. I love my job!

My family always told me I would thrive in the veterinary field, but I didn't believe in myself. I was 24, working and intermittently taking general education classes at the community college or university with no clear direction. Everything changed when I visited Pima Medical Institute and enrolled in the Veterinary Assistant (VA) and Veterinary Technician (VT) programs. These programs ignited my passion for the veterinary field, and I was finally on a career path I loved. The instructors at Pima Medical were incredible, providing both education and valuable connections in the veterinary field. While attending the VT program, I balanced two full-time jobs in the industry, applying my classroom learning to real-world situations. This hands-on experience was invaluable. My instructors were always available and understanding of my very demanding schedule, even making sure I had snacks when I hadn't taken time to eat. After graduation, I spent six years at a fast-paced ER. Today, I am the Hospital Administrator at Pima Pet Clinic where I am able to utilize both my technical skills and administrative expertise. Additionally, I serve in the United States Army Reserves in a Veterinary Detachment, training medical personnel on K9 emergency assessments. Utilizing a remote-controlled robotic dog, I create scenarios (increased heart rate, insinuating pain, blood flow sensors, stomach inflation, even amputations) in order to practice real-time medical emergencies. The mix of knowledge and experience I gained at Pima Medical has been instrumental in my career and my ability to teach. Participating in these training exercises has been one of the most fulfilling experiences in my life. The connections and the education I received at Pima Medical have truly transformed my life.

Pima Medical Institute has been a cornerstone in my career, providing a foundation that has endured through different stages of my life. Now, I'm excited to return to school and build on that strong base. No one in my family is in the dental field, but I've always had a passion for becoming a dental hygienist. After high school, I spent five years working in Alaska's fishing industry. Upon returning to Seattle, I inquired about the Dental Hygiene program at Pima Medical Institute and ultimately enrolled in the Dental Assistant program. Balancing full-time work during the day with evening classes at Pima Medical was challenging but rewarding. My teacher was great, and I formed lasting friendships-I'm still close with one of my classmates more than 20 years later. My first job was with a doctor in West Seattle, where I worked for two years before needing to go on bed rest due to pregnancy. I took a 15-year break to focus on being a mom. Remarkably, I was able to jump right back into my career as a Dental Assistant when I was ready. After moving to Phoenix, I started working as a temp and then secured my current position at Anthem Sonoran Valley Implants and Dental Center. It felt like riding a bike-everything came back to me. I love educating patients and helping them take care of their teeth. Currently, I'm in the process of applying to a Dental Hygiene program in my area. I want to further my education in the dental field and one day I hope to be able to clean teeth for free to help people who can't afford dental care. Pima Medical Institute has been supportive throughout my journey, from enrolling and securing financing to ongoing assistance whenever I need it. I'm incredibly grateful for the education and opportunities Pima Medical has provided me.

Starting over in a new career later in life was daunting, but my passion for healthcare pushed me forward. I initially enrolled at a local community college to complete prerequisites for a nursing program, only to face a two-year waitlist. Determined to find a quicker path into the medical field, I discovered Pima Medical Institute's Phlebotomy program. This program's accelerated timeline was perfect for my busy life as a stay-at-home mother. In less than three months I gained essential skills and secured a job in the medical field. That first step ignited my passion for healthcare, and after gaining experience as a phlebotomist and clinical lab assistant, I returned to Pima Medical for the 22-month Respiratory Therapy program. My journey wasn't without challenges. The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted my class's clinical rotations, forcing us to transition to remote learning. Balancing studies, work, and family was overwhelming, but I learned to manage my time effectively and prioritize self-care. The instructors, many of whom were industry professionals, provided valuable insights and hands-on learning experiences that prepared me for real-world healthcare settings. As a result of my education, I secured a position at Banner Desert Medical Center, where I have been employed for the past eight years. During the pandemic, I practiced respiratory care under an emergency license, which provided me with critical experience in a high-pressure environment. Currently, I am working in Procurement and have recently been promoted to Test Management Training Coordinator. In this role, I oversee the training processes for new hires, externships, and existing staff members. I am incredibly grateful to my instructors at Pima Medical for their dedication and support. The comprehensive curriculum and hands-on training prepared me for a fulfilling career.

My journey into health care began with an interest in nursing, but I soon realized it didn't align with my personality. A shadowing opportunity in a Radiology department, arranged by my mother, confirmed my passion for radiography. I chose Pima Medical Institute's Radiography associate degree program and had exceptional experience as a student. The program's blend of didactic and clinical training thoroughly prepared me for my career. I viewed each clinical rotation as a job interview, especially my fourth-semester placement. I worked hard to impress the staff by demonstrating the skills I had learned and I earned a job offer at the same hospital, where I continue to work. Currently, I serve as the Director of Diagnostic Imaging at Canyon Vista Medical Center. Since graduating from Pima Medical's Radiography program 13 years ago, I have had the privilege of precepting students from various programs across Arizona and California. Among them, Pima Medical students consistently stand out. They arrive at their first clinical rotation with strong positioning skills and the confidence to image patients of all ages, from pediatrics to geriatrics. Pima Medical not only equipped me with essential skills but also instilled confidence and set me on a path to success.