I'm so thankful to PMI for giving me a career I enjoy! I love getting up and coming to work every day. I feel like I have purpose and I am confident I make a difference in children's lives.
My history in the medical field began a long time ago when I was a medic in the military. After being a stay at home mom for quite some time, I realized my kids were growing up and I really wanted a career. I had a desire to get back to taking care of patients. After lots of research online, Pima Medical Institute became my first choice for their Medical Assistant program
I was nervous being a little older than most of my classmates, but it actually worked to my advantage. I was really grateful to be able to further my education and I had a maturity level that helped me to focus. My instructors were great and I felt prepared starting my externship and, actually, quite comfortable performing blood draws and dealing with the patients.
I am currently working at Children's Hospital as a fulltime Medical Assistant float and I have an opportunity to work in the allergy, neurology, rheumatology, cardiology and diabetic clinics. I have learned so much in such a short time and I love my job! I'm currently taking evening classes and hope to someday go to school to become a nurse. I am so thankful to PMI for my new career.
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I have always admired health care professionals and knew from an early age that I wanted to contribute meaningfully to patient care. As a young adult preparing for college, a routine physical led to the discovery of a benign brain tumor. I spent much of that summer in and out of the hospital. The compassion, skill and reassurance shown by my nurses and doctors left a lasting impact on me during a time filled with fear and uncertainty.
I began working as a dental assistant for a family friend, which gave me a glimpse into the profession and led to a transformative mission trip to Nicaragua, where I assisted in providing dental care to underserved communities.
Soon after, I applied to the Dental Hygiene program at Pima Medical Institute's Seattle campus. The program was rigorous, but the unwavering support from instructors made all the difference. They were dedicated to our success academically, clinically and personally. When it came time to take my clinical boards and graduate, I felt fully prepared and confident.
Now, with eight years of experience as a Registered Dental Hygienist, I often hear from employers how much they value Pima Medical graduates. This reputation for excellence inspired me to continue my education and enroll in the Bachelor of Science in Health Care Administration program. That journey equipped me with the knowledge and confidence to start my own myofunctional therapy practice. Through my Capstone project, I developed a comprehensive business plan and learned what it takes to build and sustain a health care practice.
I am proud to now serve as a Hybrid and Clinical Dental Hygiene Instructor at the Seattle campus. It's an honor to be a Pima Medical graduate, a dental professional, a business owner, an educator and, above all, a mother to three amazing children. I feel truly blessed to support my family while thriving in a career I am passionate about.
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The first time I stepped in the door of Pima Medical Institute, I knew that this was my school. On the lobby wall I read an alumni success story poster about an immigrant like me who graduated from PMI. I was moved by his story and thought, "I, too, will excel and be remarkable!" Those first weeks were rough. I remember those days before my stipend, when I counted the remaining quarters in my wallet to get on the bus to school.
My instructors were my mentors and I owe them what I have become today. During my externship, I gained so much wisdom and working in pediatrics intensified my desire to work in the health care field. It has become, not only my training ground, but my launching pad for a much greater passion for patient care.
I recently returned to PMI and completed their Online Health Care Administration Program. I was able to complete this associate degree program online while continuing to work full-time. I have so much to be grateful for thanks to Pima. They helped make me and empowered me.
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I was at a community college planning to become a Dental Hygienist when I found out I was pregnant. Looking for a quicker way to get into the dental field, I enrolled in Pima Medical Institute's Dental Assistant program. My instructor was awesome! She cared about us and was always available to help if we were having trouble understanding.
PMI placed me at a dental office for children for my externship and they offered me a position. I've been there about two years and I love my job! I've realized my future goal is to move into management, so I got excited when I heard about PMI's online Health Care Administration associate's degree. It has been challenging being a mom, working and going to school full-time. But I enjoy learning and I love that the things I'm learning in my classes totally apply to my daily job. I've even been helping my manager with some ideas I've learned about in my classes. Since my future goal is to get into management at the hospital level, I am currently continuing my education in PMI's Bachelor of Science in Health Care Administration.
I would recommend to any Dental Assistant that enjoys the components of management to continue their education with PMI's HCA online program. It's a great way to move up in their profession. I love working in an environment where I can help people and I'm so glad I chose PMI because they gave me all the help I needed!
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Growing up I had always been interested in the medical field. While caring for injured and sick loved ones I gained knowledge which led me to pursue a career as a medical professional. I had a family member who had attended Pima Medical Institute so I chose to enroll in their Medical Assistant program.
I was pretty nervous to be a student again and was concerned about whether I could handle phlebotomy or the blood draw portion of the course. But after the first time, I knew I could do it and loved it! My instructors were amazing and they even made math and anatomy easy to learn. One of my instructors made a huge impact on me. She was smart, serious and expected us to be excellent in what we did. It made me feel confident in my skills.
On the very first day of my externship at Dr. Anderson's Family Practice, I was offered a job. I love my job and get to have a wide variety of experiences. I am seriously considering continuing my education by going back to school for a nursing degree.
Pima Medical was a great experience for me. I made so many friends, and in only nine months, I walked out with a great job. I recommend Pima Medical to anyone who is interested in a career in the medical field.
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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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I grew up in a medical environment as my dad was a Navy doctor and my mom was a nurse. I ended up getting a bachelor's degree in biology and after working for a time in construction, decided my love of animals was prompting me to pursue a career in the veterinary field. I heard about Pima Medical Institute and liked the idea that I would get experience in the field through their Veterinary Assistant program.
I still remember my first day of the VA program when my instructor looked at me and said, "You have a degree and are way overqualified for this." I explained I wanted to learn the basics of caring for animals and get hands-on experience. It's been over 25 years and that instructor and I are still in touch. She always told us, "I can teach you how to do a procedure correctly, but it's more important to teach you the WHY." I still emphasize this and repeat it often to my staff.
While working as a VA, I applied to veterinary schools, but my bachelor's degree GPA was low and I was rejected from many vet schools. Finally, I was accepted at an offshore school in the Caribbean and later transferred to Kansas State, where I earned my Doctor of Veterinary Medicine in 2002. I was a Veterinarian at a couple of clinics before owning my own. Over the years, I have hired graduates from Pima Medical and have taken their externs. They still offer a very good program and teach the basics.
My time at Pima Medical was an opportunity and a doorway into the veterinary world. I am a great example that it's not always about grades. If you have passion and are willing to work hard, you can accomplish your goals. My mom always told me, "As long as you are doing something you love, you'll be happy!" Down the road, I think I might enjoy returning to Pima Medical ... this time as an instructor.
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After graduating from high school, I was afraid of going to the university and ending up $60,000 in debt, so I got a job instead. It didn't take long for me to realize my job held no future for me and that's when I decided to look into the medical field where I could have a stable career and growth opportunities. I've always been good at math, so I was looking into pharmacy when I heard a commercial for Pima Medical Institute and decided to enroll in the Pharmacy Technician program. My instructors were accomplished in their field and everyone there wanted me to succeed. I didn't own a car at the time so each day I would ride the bus for two hours, attend four hours of class, and then ride the bus two hours home. Yep - it was an eight-hour day for me, but I loved it!
Over the years, I've held a variety of positions but currently, I am working as a pharmacy liaison at University of Colorado's health transplant clinic. Because I want to grow in the medical field, I recently obtained my bachelor's degree in Health Care Administration from Colorado State University and I plan next to get my MBA. My eventual dream is to be the director of a clinic, urgent care or even hospital.
To help broaden my experience in the health care field, I took a position as an evening Career Prep instructor at Pima Medical's Aurora Campus. I am able to encourage and motivate my students as well as be understanding. For example, evening classes are a struggle for many of my students who work all day and I can totally relate since I also have a day job. I have found that I love teaching! I am grateful for Pima Medical Institute. Their education is top notch!
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While initially interested in Dental Hygiene (DH), at age 18, I chose to pursue Dental Assisting (DA) instead, partly because I was hesitant to commit to a university four-year DH program. Later, as I learned about Pima Medical Institute's two-year DH program, my research told me it was highly reputable and very challenging. This both intrigued me and motivated me and I enrolled.
During my third semester an unexpected pregnancy brought huge challenges. My baby son was diagnosed with gastroschisis, a high-risk condition requiring frequent medical visits and a 54-day stay in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). Despite the challenges of being a new mother and the emotional strain of the situation, I remained determined to succeed in my studies. I studied and completed assignments while at the NICU, my son serving as my inspiration. He was a reminder of my strength and my determination to never give up on my dreams. My DA employer had been supportive and excited about my becoming a Dental Hygienist and invited me to join their team as a DH upon obtaining my license.
I want to express my sincere gratitude to all of my instructors at Pima Medical for their unwavering support during my journey, especially as I navigated the challenges of my son's condition. Each instructor was incredibly helpful and supportive, always striving for my success. I am confident in the quality of education I received and would enthusiastically recommend it to others. While the program is rigorous, it is definitely achievable-I am living proof of that!
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At age 18 I got a job as a receptionist at a veterinary clinic. After gaining more experience at several hospitals as both a receptionist and an assistant, I knew I wanted to become a Veterinary Technician (VT). It seemed everyone I had worked with in the Seattle area had attended Pima Medical Institute, so that made their VT program an easy choice. I had struggled in classes at a traditional college, but loved my classes at Pima Medical. The instructors were excellent and very understanding. Everything I was learning seemed to apply to my experience at my job, giving me a conceptual understanding of the material. I felt very prepared for my clinicals and was offered a position at one of my sites. I worked at a number of clinics and an ER in the Seattle area, volunteered at a wildlife hospital and worked at a high- volume spay neuter clinic.
When we moved to rural Alaska, I spent a short time at a bear sanctuary before landing at Sitka Animal Hospital. I am the hospital supervisor and lead LVT and we see everything at the facility. Last week we cared for a ferret, a gecko, dogs, cats, bunnies, rodents, as well as performing surgery on a duck that had been attacked by a bald eagle. I am also on the board of a nonprofit animal shelter and a municipal animal hearing board where we hear appeals for animal control.
I am currently in pursuit of a master's degree. I hope to be part of the first group of technicians emerging into a mid-level practitioner position, much like a veterinary nurse practitioner or physician's assistant. Almost every day I think about my Pima Medical instructors and how grateful I am to have learned from them. I am proud of my successful career and I know I have them to thank.
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After moving from Texas to Colorado for a fresh start, I was determined to build a stable career in the medical field. Research led me to Pima Medical Institute, and from the moment I began speaking with admissions, I knew it was the right choice. Despite facing many challenges, I embarked on the Medical Assistant (MA) program with unwavering determination.
I started living in my car three weeks after starting the MA program. I was juggling homelessness, school and a full-time job. I struggled finding safe places to park, hot and cold nights, and finding time between work and school to do homework, sleep and get to the gym to take showers. I found incredible support from caring and understanding instructors who became like family to me. They provided resources and encouragement, helping me navigate the toughest moments. As difficult as my situation was, school was my biggest motivation and the people at Pima Medical were my support and prepared me for my future. Thanks to great instructors and comprehensive training, I excelled at my externship at Advanced Urgent Care, impressing my supervisors enough to secure a job offer before even graduating.
To my instructors at Pima Medical, I owe a debt of gratitude. I am the person I am today because of you. Your unwavering support and belief in me kept me going when times were toughest. Thank you for never giving up on me. You've shaped me into the professional I am today and I will forever be grateful.
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My mom had been a nurse in the Philippines, but after moving to the US she cared for us and began working as a phlebotomist. This influenced my decision to go into the medical field after high school. On a whim one day, I stopped by Pima Medical Institute and ended up enrolling in the three-month Phlebotomy program which started two weeks later. It was fast paced and very different from high school as students were all ages and yet we were all looking for a change or a new career. Even though our time together was short, it felt like family. My first job was with a blood donation company and after moving to eastern Washington, I worked at a hospital. This gave me a variety of experiences and built my confidence and I later transitioned into dialysis.
I knew I eventually wanted to become a Medical Assistant (MA) and even though Pima Medical was a long commute, I had confidence in them so I enrolled in the MA program. I was pregnant, worked full time and had a long commute each day, but I did it! I feel like Pima Medical helped shape me into a resilient person. After graduation I worked at a hospital and a few other sites as an MA. But it wasn't long before I began to envision myself in administration, so I chose to complete the Health Care Administration online associate degree. That program gave me so much confidence and I loved it.
After graduating, I saw an opening for a Career Services Advisor at Pima Medical, applied, and got the job. Now, I get to guide students and share my journey with them. Watching them grow reminds me of my own transformation. Pima Medical has been a constant in my life, and I'm proud to be part of a team that changes lives every day.
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