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Which program did you complete and what made you decide to continue your education online? I completed the online Health Care Administration associate degree program. What made you choose PMI's program? I chose Pima Medical's Medical Assistant program first in 1997. I had recently retired from my first career after 23 years as a restaurant manager. I quickly realized that staying at home with my hobbies wasn't enough for me. After I saw the TV advertisement, I knew that the Medical Assistant program was for me. I walked into my next career with renewed excitement and dedication to helping people in a different way from my previous career. In 2015, I chose Pima Medical's HCA program to advance my education and attain my associate degree for two very different reasons. First, I wanted to enhance my classroom teaching skills and presentations to my students. Second, with the death of my husband of 39 years, I needed direction to build on who I am without him. Both my students and myself have benefitted from that decision. What was it like to manage a full-time position and your course load? For me, managing both the full-time position and the course load was not difficult the second time. It was definitely because my children were grown and my husband was gone. I had plenty of time to dedicate to the endeavor. I realize that if my children had been small, it would have been just as hard as it was when I took the MA certification program, and it was terribly hard then. I worked at Arvada Pediatrics at the time from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. I had to be at Pima Medical from 5:50 p.m. to 10:10 p.m. With four children from 6 to 17 years old, I barely had time to breathe much less study. I used my breaks at work and a couple of hours after class to do all that was required to pass the classes. During that same time, my husband had his first heart attack and I had to take some time off to take care of him. I didn't know if I would be able to continue, but things work out for the best and I graduated in October of 1998. It wasn't easy, but it was worth every bit of the effort and anxiety. Did you feel like the coursework was practical for your profession? The course work for both the certificate and the associate degree were perfectly appropriate for the profession. I would have continued with the bachelor's program if I would have been able to earn a scholarship as I did with the associate degree. Would you encourage others to continue their education and would you recommend this program? The course work for both the certificate and the associate degree were perfectly appropriate for the profession. I would have continued with the bachelor's program if I would have been able to earn a scholarship as I did with the associate degree.

At a young age I had the opportunity to shadow a veterinarian, Dr. Katherine Parks, and my passion was ignited! Each spring break I continued to visit her clinic and during that time I made the decision to become a Veterinary Technician (VT). I had no interest in attending a four-year college as I was career driven and was anxious to get out and work in the field. I loved the VT program at Pima Medical Institute! It was encouraging and exciting to be surrounded by fellow students who all shared my passion. I appreciated the atmosphere created by our instructors and the hands-on experience. Unfortunately, I was in a rollover accident, was bedridden and had to miss a whole sequence of classes. It was difficult being away from Pima Medical and all my classmates, but my instructors were so supportive when I was able to return. However soon after, COVID hit and we were forced to go remote. I was so discouraged, but I was able to begin shadowing at my future externship site while taking online classes and upon graduation they offered me a position. I passed my VTNE exam in October of 2020 to become a certified VT. I am currently the second lead tech and am in charge of employee training and inventory; having assisted in establishing new protocols and the purchase of updated equipment. I attend every continuing education event I can get my hands on and I love learning. Veterinary medicine can take me anywhere and I am up for the challenge. Down the road I can even see myself as an instructor in a VT program. I am grateful for Pima Medical and my instructors who provided me with an education that has led to my continued success and allowed my dreams to become reality.

I began working toward a degree in biology after high school but after evaluating job opportunities, I realized I was looking for more hands on and started considering the medical field. After researching, I chose the Respiratory Therapy program at Pima Medical Institute and was able to begin within a couple weeks. It is a very intensive program and it wasn't easy, but I found staying on top of my classwork and communicating with my instructors was the key. When it came time for clinicals, I got some great advice from a preceptor who encouraged me to jump in rather than just observe. I took this to heart and became a better therapist. I graduated in February right before the COVID pandemic. My goal upon graduation was to obtain a travel assignment and go where needed. My first travel position was in New Jersey at East Orange General Hospital and my first day I covered the ER and part of the ICU. It was overwhelming at times but I just kept remembering my instructors' words. Early on we had a patient we didn't know had COVID and as a result, nine nurses got COVID along with their family members, including several who passed away. Since then (2020) I have been on seven travel assignments in New York, Texas, Colorado, Oregon and AZ and experienced rural hospitals as well as the number one respiratory institute in the world. I've been blessed with so many opportunities and have learned so much. Pima Medical certainly prepared me for my career. All of my instructors were really amazing! They each brought a different type of expertise and I benefited from all of them.

I was injured while playing soccer in high school and my physical therapist said to me, "I think you'd be a really good physical therapist!" I tucked that away until I was at Texas State University heading toward becoming a nurse when I realized it just wasn't for me. I switched to Exercise Sports Science with a pre-physical therapy emphasis. After graduation, the doctorate physical therapy programs were extremely competitive and I just didn't have the confidence to apply - still a regret. Instead, I reviewed my options and began searching for a Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) program and found Pima Medical Institute. It was a challenging, accelerated 18-month program, but my instructors were super motivating. Although they were hard on us, they gave us all the tools needed to be the best professional clinicians we could be. I was awarded the most "outstanding student" at graduation and offered a job at each of my clinical rotations. I began my therapist journey as a pediatric PTA until I found the place I really loved; working in sports medicine and rehabilitation. During my five plus years in orthopedics, I worked with multiple students as a clinical instructor. This drew my passion for education and I began my journey as a clinical director and instructor back at the same PTA program I'd attended. I tell my students I've been down their same path and I am going to give them everything they need to be a success in their clinical experience. I remind them that I am invested in their success because not only is Pima Medical's reputation on the line, so is mine as a graduate of this program. Pima Medical provided what I needed to become a great therapist and for that I am thankful. I believe I've found my place in education and I am hoping to further my education through the master's degree program in the future.

I was looking for a change. I had been in law enforcement, including being a paramedic, for 22 years in the state of Michigan. Since I'd had some experience in the medical field, I began researching a short program that would provide me with a new career in the medical field. I found Pima Medical Institute to have a great reputation, so I enrolled in the Phlebotomy program. After a time working in the field, I realized phlebotomy really didn't fit with the patient care I wanted to provide, so I returned to Pima Medical and enrolled in their Medical Assistant program. I loved the campus and found instructors in both programs to be awesome. They were very knowledgeable and always available to help. I think being a more mature student and having already had a college degree in law enforcement, it wasn't terribly difficult going back to school. I would encourage others that no matter what your age, you should never be afraid of advancing your education and skills. I've worked at a few different places, but I feel like I've finally found my fit. I was recently hired at Cochise College as a Medical Assistant/Lab Assistant. I'll be helping medical assistant students learn their craft. All in all, it was a very good decision to attend Pima Medical as they gave me the skills to advance into a teaching position. I would highly recommend Pima Medical to anyone - young or old - looking for a career in the medical field.

After completing high school, I was looking for a temporary source of income that would pay enough to allow me to put myself through college. I had several family members who had attended various programs at Pima Medical Institute, so decided to enroll in their nine-month Pharmacy Technician program, figuring it might be a quick way to make more than the average college student. The class schedules were ideal, allowing me to work while going to school. It was a strenuous curriculum but my instructor, a Doctor of Pharmacy with many years of experience, ensured his students became successful Pharmacy Technicians. He knew exactly what made a great technician and he prepared us well to become nationally recognized Certified Pharmacy Technicians. I have spent the past 17 years as a Pharmacy Technician working in inpatient pharmacy performing sterile and chemotherapy compounding. I moved away from Arizona about seven years ago and I was hired at the VA Medical Center, where I was quickly promoted to Lead IV Trainer. Recently, the Mayo Clinic in Mankato reached out to me and offered me a job as their Technician Supervisor with a focus in Sterile Compounding. The temporary job I thought would support further education became my career. I am very proud of my work as a Pharmacy Technician and I'm thankful for my Pima Medical instructor. As a result of being trained by him, I feel like my career has been really distinguished and for that I will always be 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.

Dentistry was always in my plan, but life took a turn when I became a young mom while attending NMSU (New Mexico State University). Returning home, I started working for a family friend's dental practice, fell in love with the field, and decided to officially pursue a career in Dental Assisting (DA). I was looking for a fast-paced program and Pima Medical Institute was the perfect fit. My experience there was fantastic-I applied what I learned on the job and made lifelong friends. After working as a dental assistant for a year, I decided to further my career and enrolled in the Dental Hygiene (DH) program at Pima Medical. The program was challenging, but the instructors were incredible. I was taught by some of the icons of dental hygiene and I thrived in the rigorous environment. Upon graduation, I quickly secured a job as a dental hygienist, working five days a week to maximize my education. Over time, I got married, had another son, and excelled in my career, and began working in a corporate dental setting. In 2021, I returned to Pima Medical as an instructor in the hygiene clinic, a full-circle moment. To say I loved it would be an understatement. Not only did I find my passion for teaching, I got to continue learning alongside my students. Currently, I'm preparing to open New Mexico's first dental hygiene studio to meet the needs of preventative care. I hope to employ several dental hygienists and we plan to collaborate with local dentists. I'm also starting a dental hygiene consulting business. I am excited about this business venture and genuinely credit my success to the education I received at Pima Medical. I am incredibly grateful to my instructors for shaping me into the professional I am today.

In 2005, while browsing technical programs online, Pima Medical Institute's Veterinary Assistant (VA) Program caught my eye. I filled out a request for more information and, to my surprise, Niki Riggleman, a recently retired yet highly esteemed instructor, called me immediately. Despite never having had an interest in veterinary medicine before, that call changed my life. I can't imagine being in any other field today and I'm so grateful Niki called me! I completed the VA Program and returned to complete the Veterinary Technician (VT) Program in 2007. It was a privilege to be part of the very first VT class at the Seattle Campus. One aspect of Pima Medical I truly appreciated was its accessibility; the ability to attend night classes and work during the day allowed me to maintain a steady income while pursuing my education. The hands-on classroom experience, combined with working in the field, was crucial to my professional growth. My journey with VCA Animal Hospitals began with my first externship, where I was hired even before completing it. Almost 20 years later, I'm still with VCA and grateful to have found my place there. I worked as a VA, a VT and then quickly moved up to Technician Supervisor and a regional training role. In 2020, I became the Regional Technician Director for the Northwest & Hawaii Group, supporting veterinary teams across five states. Additionally, as the current President of the Washington State Association of Veterinary Technicians (WSAVT) and a former District Chair for the National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America (NAVTA), I am dedicated to improving the careers of Veterinary Technicians and Assistants. Ensuring their optimal utilization and safety is crucial to our profession, helping us continue to serve our patients effectively.