WELCOME HOME ALUMNI

I had my share of challenges while a student at PMI. I was living in Tijuana, Mexico. So, for 22 months I would get up every morning at 3:30 am, drive to the border and wait in line to cross. I would usually wait anywhere from 1-3 hours. On the days I got through the border more quickly, I'd take a power nap in the parking lot of the Chula Vista campus before class began. I had two of the most excellent instructors, Bill and Karen McGowen! Not only did they advise and coach me, they also made me feel comfortable. They had an open door policy and always made time to answer my questions. Shortly after graduation, I found a job at Sharpes Chula Vista Hospital as a Respiratory Therapist. After 3 years I became a clinical lead specialist supervising 65 people under me. A few years later I decided to get my bachelor's degree from PMI. It was challenging working fulltime, having a family, and going to school, but it was a good experience. The things we were studying I was able to apply at my job at the hospital. I am currently enjoying my position as a clinical instructor for PMI, and someday, I'd like to get my master's degree and teach ... maybe even at PMI.

I moved to the United States from the Philippines in 2011. I worked at a bait shop and as a nursing assistant, but I was uncertain and not my best self. I wanted to do more in the medical field. I would see commercials for Pima Medical Institute; the students looked so happy, and for a long time, a goal of mine was one day attending PMI. In 2017, I rearranged my work schedule so I could finally begin attending Pima Medical Institute. I was so thankful for the opportunity and met so many wonderful people. I faced challenges, like starting work at 6 am and working all day before attending evening classes. I also questioned whether I could still learn at my age. However, my instructors encouraged me, and my classmates became lifelong friends. PMI matched me with a perfect site for my externship, and I enjoyed every minute. I applied for and was offered jobs at four different organizations, some even included sign-on bonuses. I chose Swedish Ballard Primary Care where I assist an internal doctor and nurse practitioner. After just 45 days of employment, I was given a raise and encouraged to take on additional roles. As a result, I am considering continuing my education with PMI's online Health Care Administration program in order to someday become a clinical administrator. I am so happy, and I am able to help support my family in the Philippines. I am thankful for everyone at Pima. I would not be where I am today without their help and support.

I have always wanted to be a nurse, but it took until my forties to become an RN. Right after high school I became a Certified Nursing Assistant and worked in nursing homes. Not long after, I married a military man and we moved to Japan with our first child and I had to put my dream on hold. After more life situations, I ended up divorced and back in Tucson as a single mom of two children. I wanted to attend nursing school but knew I needed to wait until my kids were older before investing in myself, so I worked as a Patient Care Technician. When I was finally ready, I enrolled at Pima Medical Institute where I could avoid waiting lists and start immediately. I was in my late 30's and was the oldest person in my class and it was challenging. I wasn't very savvy with computer skills and preferred to take notes on paper, but my instructors were great! They were tough but they taught us what we needed to be successful. While a student at PMI, I made a connection with a hospital administrator while volunteering at a nursing conference. She knew my interest in working in a psychiatric unit and suggested I meet with the director of the recently opened Geriatric Psychiatry Unit at Tucson Medical Center. That meeting led to a clinical rotation and a job offer before I had even graduated. I have been an RN in that Gero Psych Unit for over two years and I am currently assisting in a leadership role on the unit. I am so thankful to PMI for a career I love! This is my passion and I am right where I want to be. It may sound cheesy, but I was born to do this!

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 a stay at home mom for 18 years. When my oldest child headed to college I felt like I had lost my identity and purpose, but I just wasn't sure what I wanted to do. I knew I didn't want to be behind a desk and I enjoyed being on my feet and using my hands. So when I saw the commercial for the Dental Assisting Program and Pima Medical Institute, I decided it might be a fit for me. It was somewhat intimidating going back to school when I was the oldest student in the class and it was certainly challenging having homework again while balancing family and home life. But, my instructor was helpful and cheered me on. I felt very prepared, although extremely nervous, for my hands on externship experience. But I learned so much and it helped me understand that I really wanted to work in a specialty area of dentistry. I was initially hired at a general practice but soon found the place I really belonged; a periodontist office. I absolutely love it! I enjoy meeting and getting to know my patients. I have great coworkers and wonderful doctors who continue to teach me about their specialty. I love it all and am so happy! Pima Medical has been so good in helping me go from "what's my purpose?" to "this is where I should be!" Finding that out and being happy where I am has been everything. It has done so much for me! Plus, my kids are really proud of me. I love the patients! It's different every day! It's a lot of fun. I love it! I'm so glad I did this!

I have always had an interest in the medical field, but had no idea where to begin. My brother went to Pima Medical Institute for the Veterinary Technician program, which led me to look into the school. After my first tour, I knew it was the place for me and I enrolled in the Medical Assistant (MA) program. My student experience was amazing! I had fantastic instructors and got so much hands-on experience in such a short amount of time. At first, it was difficult to balance full-time school while working, but I loved what I was learning so much that putting in the work was something I was more than willing to do. I loved getting to practice my hands-on skills with my classmates. Doing things like injections and blood draws on real people truly prepares you for real patients. I graduated from Pima Medical with a 4.0 GPA, and as soon as I started to apply for jobs, the offers were rolling in! I ultimately chose to work at University of Washington Medical Center because it seemed like the best opportunity for me, and it definitely has been. Since graduating, I have been working at UW for the last year. I have learned so much and have never been more confident in a job. Getting my education at Pima Medical Institute was truly one of the best decisions I have ever made. It prepared me so much for my future and made stepping into a new role a piece of cake. I would highly recommend Pima Medical to others seeking to change their lives.

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.

I spent nearly seven years working as a Medical Assistant (MA) before I finally decided to continue my education and complete the Radiography program at Pima Medical Institute. One of the biggest obstacles I faced was my commute - I live in Colorado Springs, so this was a 74-mile drive each way to attend class at the Denver Campus. That meant spending at least two and a half hours a day just on the road, in addition to my coursework, clinicals and job at UCHealth. The instructors at Pima Medical were incredible. They were more than just educators-they were mentors who believed in me, even when I doubted myself. The program was challenging, but it was also incredibly rewarding. I loved every moment of it, and I genuinely believe that the hands-on, real-world experience I gained during my time there has set me up for success in my new career. One of the most exciting parts of this journey was being hired to work for both UCHealth and Penrad Imaging before even completing my program. I was offered a full-time position at Penrad Imaging and later, I was hired as a PRN at UCHealth. It was a huge confidence boost, knowing that I was already making an impact in the field even before passing my ARRT registry exam. Now, I'm officially a Radiologic Technologist, and I couldn't be more excited to start this new chapter of my career. Every challenge, every late night, every moment of doubt was worth it. Thank you Pima Medical!

I grew up in an unsupportive environment, constantly reminded of my limitations. After dabbling in community college and an unfinished nursing program, I found myself divorced with two young children, wondering what I could do to provide for my family. That's when I discovered Pima Medical Institute and enrolled in the Medical Secretary program. Within three months, I graduated and landed a job in the medical field, giving me the stability I desperately needed. After moving to Las Vegas, I continued to grow my career-first as an office manager and later doing billing. One day, I learned that Pima Medical was launching a Respiratory Therapy program. I jumped at the chance to enroll, excited to take my career to the next level. Balancing school, work, and motherhood was tough. My kids and I would do homework together, and I showed them it's never too late to change your path. After graduating, I was hired at Summerlin Hospital, where I worked for 14 years. Watching the devastation in New York, when the pandemic hit in 2020, I knew I had to step up and help. I was hired as a traveler at New York Presbyterian Cornell, one of the top hospitals in the country. It was intense-over 230 patients on ventilators when I arrived -but I learned and grew through it all. While on the frontlines, I was also pursuing my Bachelor of Science in Respiratory Therapy through Pima Medical. I faced moments of doubt, but with the support of my program director, I pushed through. My son and I graduated with our bachelor's degrees in the same year-a moment of immense pride for my family. I now work for the Nevada Donor Network, a new and upcoming field for RT's, turning tragedy into hope through organ donation. I feel a deep sense of purpose, knowing that I help give families a second chance. Thanks to Pima Medical, I've built a career that I love, and I'll never stop learning or growing.