WELCOME HOME ALUMNI

I am a Veterinary Technician in the internal medicine department at the Veterinary Specialty Center of Tucson. We are a state-of-the-art specialty facility that offers CAT scans, MRIs, ultrasounds, full surgical procedures, dental procedures, and even, physical therapy for your pets. After a wonderful 20 year career in the Air Force, I decided upon retirement I wanted to do something I loved! So, 6 months before I retired I began planning and checking out Pima Medical Institute's VT program where I might fulfill my dream of working with animals. Going back to school was scary. I'd completed an online bachelor's degree while in the military, but the thought of being in a classroom next to my peers and having an instructor stand in front of me, almost caused me not to follow my dreams. But, I decided to go for it and it was amazing! The instructors were so helpful and didn't treat me like the oldest student in the room. They were always available for questions or special tutoring. All of the hands on experience made me feel confident and really prepared. I had other choices for VT programs, but I certainly chose the best one coming to PMI! I was fortunate to be placed at VSCT for my externship. I worked really hard during my time as a student and they offered me a position. This has been a dream job and I love waking up and coming to work every day! Thanks PMI!

I received my bachelor's degree in health sciences and, at the time, was planning to go on to school to become a physical therapist. However, my husband was in the military, and because we traveled and spent some time overseas, it was difficult to fit in PT school. Once we had children, I was a stay-at-home mom for a while, but when my kids started school, I decided it was time to start a new career. I researched and found the Pharmacy Technician program at PMI, and I ultimately chose PMI's program because it was quick. Though nervous about going back to school again and concerned I'd be the oldest student, I really enjoyed my program at PMI. The instructors were very supportive and always available to help, and I really felt comfortable with my classmates. When it came time for practical learning, I was placed at Professional Pharmacy for my externship. Pima had taught me what I needed to know to be successful, and at the end of my time there, they offered me a position as a Pharmacy Technician. My employer is very flexible with my schedule. I'm able to take my kids to school and get off in time to pick them up and be part of their after-school activities. I really appreciate that my instructors at PMI believed it me even before I did. I'm thankful for my job and a new career that fits perfectly with being a mom.

My sister was the one who encouraged me to attend the Veterinary programs at Pima Medical Institute. The instructors were great! My classmates were there because they wanted to learn and that made it helpful. Every part of my experience was awesome! I loved being in the programs and I can't imagine doing anything else. I felt very prepared for my two clinical sites for the Veterinary Assistant (VA) both at a cat shelter and an animal hospital and it was great to be able to apply the things I had learned in my classes. I really wanted to be at a mixed-animal practice - one that sees both dogs/cats as well as large animals - for my Veterinary Technician externship. My instructors worked really hard to find a fit for me and I was placed at Jackpot Veterinary Center, a mixed-animal practice. I learned so much and evidently, they liked me because I never left. I had one week off between my externship and starting my new job as a Veterinary Technician. I really love my job. Every day is different, I mainly work in the area of large animals where we care for goats, sheep, cows and horses. We have a regular schedule but since there are no ERs for large animals, we regularly go on emergency calls. There's often lots of adrenaline dealing with a 1200-pound animal and I've had some crazy experiences, but I love every minute of it. Education is very important to me and someday I would love to get into teaching. Our state allows you to do technician work without being licensed, but I think it's important for people working with animals to know the why and the how, not just the what. I wouldn't be where I am today without Pima Medical. This field has become a great passion of mine!

My dad had a bout of pneumonia and ended up on a ventilator and I was fascinated watching the respiratory therapist control my dad's breathing. I'd been working in the auto industry, never thought I was college material, but I my family believed in and motivated me to look into the field. I set up a tour of Pima Medical Institute with the program director and as I saw the facility and listened to her, I fell in love with her passion for respiratory therapy. Being a student at Pima Medical was certainly challenging for me, but the support I had from instructors and classmates was amazing. Our class decided that no one was going to fail, so when someone was struggling with a concept, we all rallied around them. The instructors were always available for extra help and by the time I got to clinicals, I really felt prepared. Prior to graduation I obtained a position with Banner South, a hospital that had been part of my community since I'd been a child. While performing bedside care as a respiratory therapist, I recognized that healthcare doesn't stop at the bedside. I became interested in looking at how, for example, a patient's social economic situation impacted their outcome. Knowing I wanted to make a bigger impact and with the confidence I gained from my time at PMI I went on and continued my education earning my bachelor's in applied management and ultimately my MBA. I navigated my way throughout the healthcare system from beside care, care coordination, to quality improvement. Wanting to be more proactive than reactive, I took a position as Senior Manager of Medicare Administration. We not only looked at how we delivered advantage plan benefits, I'm proud to say we instituted a non-traditional innovative program for our patients. Recently, I accepted a position as Director of Care Delivery Operations for Banner Health Corporate. I recognize that in order for bedside staff to offer their best care, processes and supply have to be in place. I can now play a role in making that happen and that is very exciting! Pima Medical provided the necessary educational and support a guy - who didn't think he was college material - needed in order to have the confidence to be successful. Next step - CEO!

After earning a bachelor's degree in cultural anthropology, I struggled to find a job and ended up in finance. When COVID hit, my new job offer was rescinded and I was forced to take a job at a grocery store bakery, far from my career goals. I kept hearing advertisements for Pima Medical Institute which piqued my interest in the medical field. This led me to enroll in their three-month Phlebotomy program, allowing me to work and study simultaneously with minimal school commitment. It was a way to dip-my-toe into the water of the medical field. The Phlebotomy program was a turning point in my life. Small classes, hands-on experience, and an excellent instructor, Miss Denise, made a significant impact. I soon secured a position at Chandler Regional Hospital, where I interacted with various departments and realized my passion for patient care. Nursing stood out as the most versatile and impactful role, prompting me to pursue a nursing degree at the institute I trusted and I enrolled at Pima Medical's Mesa Campus. The Nursing program was challenging and intense, pushing me to grow and become accountable for patient care. Through diverse clinical experiences, I gravitated towards ER and ICU settings. I've recently accepted a position at OBS Banner Dessert, aiming to transfer to the ICU and eventually join the trauma team. I am immensely grateful for my education at Pima Medical. The Phlebotomy program provided a crucial foundation, giving me the framework I needed for a career in the medical field. I invited Miss Denise to my nursing pinning ceremony and my dad told her COVID had been difficult for me and she had saved my life. He was right, Pima Medical Institute truly changed my life.

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.

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!

Nineteen years ago, I took my first step toward a life-changing career by enrolling in the Medical Assistant (MA) program at Pima Medical Institute. I knew I wanted to work in healthcare, but I didn't realize how transformative this journey would be. During my time as an MA student, I became fascinated with Respiratory Therapy (RT), so I enrolled in Pima Medical's RT program. My instructors believed in me and pushed me beyond my limits. The administrative team was equally supportive, showing me that my education mattered to them as much as it did to me. While still an RT student, I secured my first job at North Vista Hospital. After graduating, I joined University Medical Center (UMC) in Las Vegas. Both hospitals hired me after completing my clinical rotations. I worked my way up and built my career at UMC, eventually earning a management role. While there I continued my education, completing a Bachelor of Science in Respiratory Therapy (BSRT) online program from Pima Medical and later a master's degree in Business. After retiring, I returned to Pima Medical to give back. In April 2024, I became the Clinical Director of Education for the RT program and by October 2024, I became the RT Program Director. I am forever grateful to Pima Medical Institute for believing in me. This journey wouldn't have been possible without the incredible instructors and staff who stood by me every step of the way.

I started my career as a medic on an ambulance and knew I wanted to become a nurse. Everyone around me was doing it and it felt like the natural next step. At the time, I was working toward a degree in paramedicine at another college but their nursing program required a Certified Nursing Assistant certificate (CNA), which I didn't have. I was ready to get started and Pima Medical Institute offered exactly what I needed: a program that didn't stretch over an entire semester. I enrolled in the CNA course, checked that box and had a great experience. Eventually, I was accepted into a nursing program elsewhere - but the waitlist was a year and a half. That's when Pima Medical reached out. They said, "You're an alum and we have a nursing program." It was accelerated and could get me in right away, so I said yes. I completed the Registered Nurse (RN) program and went straight to work as a nurse. My boss had always encouraged me to pursue my Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) and though it was something I wanted to do, I just kept putting it off. I finally enrolled in another school's program but didn't like the structure. They said it was "fully online", but there were group projects and required meetings that didn't fit my schedule. I dropped and gave Pima Medical a shot again. The BSN program was amazing. It was clearly laid out, well-paced and truly online. I had the support I needed but I could also self-guide. Today, I'm the clinic manager for a company that operates 12 occupational health clinics across five states. Plus, I've been accepted into the Master of Science in Organizational Leadership (MSOL) program at Pima Medical. I'm pursuing this advanced degree to grow as a leader and bring more to the table. Pima Medical has always been honest, consistent and structured. If you're a self-starter with a busy schedule, this is the school for you.