WELCOME HOME ALUMNI

I attended a community college for several years, but I was indecisive and unmotivated. I kept trying different classes and programs but I just didn't have any direction. I had a friend who attended Pima Medical Institute, so I looked online and checked out their programs. I really wanted to attend the Respiratory Therapy program but I just wasn't ready for a two year program, so I enrolled in the nine month Pharmacy Technician program. I was a little intimidated at first as the program is accelerated, but it got easier as I learned to manage my time. I was motivated to get into the field and had an excellent externship experience. There is a real need for Pharmacy Technicians so finding a job was easy. I'm currently working at a CVS Pharmacy and I'm also back at PMI pursuing my goal of getting my associate's degree in Respiratory Therapy. The instructors are wonderful! They bring practical experience to the classroom and my clinical experiences help me apply what I'm learning in the program. I am looking forward to my new career, but I don't plan to stop learning. Within a year I hope to start PMI's online Bachelor of Science in Respiratory Therapy program. My education at PMI has been a challenge, but I'm meeting my goals and it is worth it!

I spent nine years as a helicopter mechanic in the Marine Corps and when I got out I began working at the local airport as a mechanic. I didn't really feel like I was going anywhere in my job, so my wife who had completed the Medical Assistant program through Pima Medical Institute, suggested I go there and find a career I enjoyed. My dad completed the Medical Lab Technician program years ago and my mom actually went through Pima Medical's Radiography program and is still working at Tucson Medical Center. So, I decided to see what they had to offer and signed up for their nine month Pharmacy Technician Program. I loved the program! In the Marine Corps comradery is a big deal and I was used to having that close knit family atmosphere. I came to Pima Medical and immediately felt at home. My instructor was there to direct me and provide whatever I needed to be confident and successful. My training allowed me to easily transition into my externship at Tucson Medical Center and before I had even finished, they offered me a position. Immediately after graduation I enrolled in Pima Medical's Online Health Care Administration associate of applied science degree program and have recently graduated from the bachelor's program. I have been able to work fulltime, spend time with my family and complete my homework each day for my online classes. The instructors are flexible and easy to reach for guidance and I've had a great experience. I almost didn't notice I wasn't in a classroom setting. I am currently a Pharmacy Tech 2 and, as a result of getting my bachelor's, I am being trained to cover and assist our buyers. I love my new career and it's very fulfilling! My dream job ... coming back to Pima Medical as an instructor!

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 completed Pima Medical Institute's online Bachelor of Science in Radiologic Science (BSRS) in 2016. So, when I realized it was time to pursue a master's degree, I reached out to Pima Medical first. Fortunately, they had just begun offering their new Master's in Organizational Leadership and I enrolled. Completing the program while working full time was not an easy task. It required time and attention and was a very detailed program. One of the things I appreciated most was the experience I gained doing presentations. I have to admit that initially I found it daunting, but the frequent presentation assignments embedded in the course helped me to master the process. The feedback from the instructors was priceless; their process of teaching and careful explanations has provided me with the preparation and confidence I will need to execute my role as a manager in any organization. I had been working as a Radiologic Technologist at Columbia University College of Dental Medicine during my time at Pima Medical and after obtaining my master's degree, I'm starting a new supervisory position at New York Presbyterian Hospital. My instructors were efficient, very professional, and resourceful and I often recommend Pima Medical to others, in fact one of my co-workers just started their BSRS program.

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.

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.

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!

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.

Back in 2005, I was working in Public Relations at National Jewish Health, the nation's #1 respiratory hospital, when I first discovered the field of Respiratory Therapy (RT). Fascinated by the work, I asked the Director of Respiratory who offered the best RT program. Without hesitation, he said, "Pima Medical Institute." My decision was made. My time in the Respiratory Therapy program at Pima Medical was incredible. The hands-on training during clinical rotations left me feeling fully prepared to enter the field. In fact, I had two job offers before I even graduated. Pima Medical's commitment to student success is unmatched-they're truly invested in 100% job placement, and it shows. Over the years, I've precepted students from many schools, and Pima Medical graduates consistently stand out as being the most prepared. Today, I work at Craig Hospital near Denver, Colorado, a leading acute rehabilitation center specializing in traumatic brain and spinal cord injuries. I've built a new division within the department and now serve as the Respiratory Patient Education & Discharge Coordinator. My role involves training patients and their families to manage ventilators and tracheostomies at home, coordinating equipment and supplies, and often flying with patients across the country to ensure a smooth transition home. In 2012, I was honored as Colorado Respiratory Therapist of the Year and in 2025, I received the National PHIL Award for Patient Advocacy. I owe much of my success to Pima Medical Institute's exceptional program. To this day, I recommend it to anyone interested in Respiratory Care-it truly is the best!