Growing up, I always wanted to become a police officer, so when I turned 18, I signed up for an EMT (Emergency Medical Technician) course. My plan was to get experience and improve my resume so that I could get into the police department, but I fell in love with emergency medicine during that course. I realized there was nothing more I wanted to do with my life than become a paramedic firefighter.
Upon the recommendation of a friend who had gone through Pima Medical Institute's Paramedic program, I enrolled in the program. On the first day, I remember feeling overwhelmed by the amount of work that would be required, but my instructors were fantastic, and they helped us all along the way. It's a challenging and stressful program, but it is also a lot of fun and worth it! My classmates and I became great friends, and our class almost felt like one big, dysfunctional, happy family.
I was nervous at the beginning but learned so much and had great experiences during my clinical and field experiences. The whole EMS community is very small and supportive, and it's a great profession to be in. PMI has a really good reputation in the community and has does a great job preparing students like me for the paramedic field.
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I was born and raised in Bisbee, Arizona, and I'm proud to be a first-generation college student. My interest in radiology began in fourth grade after a broken wrist landed me in the ER. I was fascinated by the X-ray process, and that moment never left me.
After high school, I shadowed in the radiology department at a local hospital where my mother worked and decided to apply at Pima Medial Institute. I didn't get in the first time, but I gained more experience, took classes and eventually reapplied after COVID. I was accepted! And that changed everything.
The program was tough, especially being far from home and dealing with personal loss. But I was never alone. Kristen Miller, Jolene Pobrislo and Jeff Botkin supported me every step of the way. They believed in me, and I always knew I could reach out for help.
Today, I work as a radiologic technologist performing X-rays and bone density scans. I hope to add Computed Tomography (CT) to my credentials and grow into a hospital role. Pima Medical gave me the knowledge, confidence and care to make my dreams possible. And now, I get to show my grandparents every day that their sacrifices were worth it.
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When I signed up for the Radiography program at Pima Medical Institute, I was a full-time husband, a full-time dad, and I had full-time bills and responsibilities. I worked nights as a patient care technician while attending school during the day. During my clinical rotations, I would leave my house early Tuesday morning, work my rotation from 7:30 am until 5 pm, go straight to my job, and work from 6 pm until 4:30 am. Then, I would take a shower at the hospital, drive to my clinical rotation, sleep for a little over an hour in my truck, and do it all over again. On Saturday morning I would return home to my wife and 4 kids. I did this for the last 16 months of my program. If it weren't for my family and my Lord, I would not have been able to do it. Because of their support, I graduated from PMI with a 3.8 GPA.
My PMI instructors had a passion for what they taught and they cared for their students. In fact, they are among the best people I've ever met in my life. My classmates and I helped each other through and became like a family. I currently work for two great companies - St Joseph's Hospital and Honor Health. They are training me in interventional radiology, not typically an honor given to new graduates. I love my job and am thankful for my education at PMI. It's been worth all the hard work and sacrifice. I'm here to tell everyone that no matter what you're facing or going through, if you're willing to make the sacrifices you can do anything!
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Shortly after moving to Tucson, I discovered I was pregnant with my first child. I had never taken school or life in general too seriously and only had limited work experience in the food industry. But, I saw a TV commercial for Pima Medical Institute, met with an admissions advisor, enrolled in their Veterinary Assistant Program and started classes the following Monday. I was very apprehensive as school was never for me. But from admissions to the instructors, everyone was super friendly and helpful. My instructors prepared me for the skills I would need, and the staff helped me build a foundation of professionalism I still carry today. I was hired at my clinical site the day after my externship.
Since graduation I have been gainfully employed, improving on the base skills the school taught me. I have worked over 15 years in Emergency, Critical Care, ICU and managed large groups of technicians and even ran a local shelter for a time. During that time, I even accepted a position as a substitute instructor at Pima Medical Institute. I have watched veterinary medicine become just as fascinating and advanced as human medicine. In 2013 I jumped at the opportunity to become a fulltime PMI instructor. I enjoy educating veterinary technician hopefuls with the same foundation PMI gave me. Recently, I accepted the position as PMI's Career Services Coordinator. I want to encourage my students to reach for the stars and help them drive themselves to success.
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1. Which program did you complete and what made you decide to continue your education online?
I completed both the online Health Care Administration associate and bachelor's degree programs. I became a Medical Assistant in 1990 and always regretted not continuing on to get my degree right then. At times I felt inferior to those around me who had their degree and I watched them being promoted while I could only advance to a certain level.
2. What made you choose PMI's program?
Working for Pima Medical shed a light on a program that I could do and still keep my 'day job' as an instructor. The online Health Care Administration program was a fit because I needed to work full-time to support my family.
3. What was it like to manage a full-time position and your course load?
I found that the hours of study time were pretty easy compared to what I thought it would be. The program was laid out so straightforward. I had always associated online learning as being a little more challenging than learning in the classroom setting. I have to say, I was pleasantly surprised. So, I immediately enrolled in the bachelor's program while I still had the momentum of being in school. The education I received took a step-by-step approach that was easy for me to understand, achieve and maintain my 4.0 GPA and graduate with honors. Being an instructor, I could not accept anything less of myself, and I DID IT! I had some challenging days during my program. My father had been diagnosed with cancer and passed away during my last 3-4 months of classes. It was his dream for me to obtain my degree because he knew how I would feel if I earned it. It was one of the most challenging times I can remember and the Pima Medical instructors and program directors were there for me. They truly helped make my life a little easier at school, knowing I was suffering so much in my personal life. I can't thank them enough for helping me through it. It made all the difference when it came to me finishing and getting my degree.
4. Would you encourage others to continue their education and would you recommend this program?
I recommend both of these programs to any medical professional or to anyone who would like to become one. It is an education that can go in any direction you want to take it, from medical assisting to management or hospital administration. The sky's the limit on where you can take your education once you have achieved it!!
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Today I am the Medical Assistant (MA) Program Director at Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute. It's pretty crazy to think I didn't even know what a Medical Assistant was when I walked in the door of Pima Medical Institute back in 2007. I had recently moved to Colorado Springs from North Carolina to help my father, who had a serious medical condition. I had been a CNA, but I always knew I wanted more, so when I saw the commercial for Pima Medical, I made an appointment. As they described the Medical Assistant program, I knew it was for me and I enrolled.
The program was great! I had not been a good student in high school, but I graduated with honors. My instructor, Shirley Jelmo, really impacted me. In fact, she is the reason I chose to go into teaching. I mimic her style even today. She was real and didn't feel the need to stay at the front of the class, instead she sat with us, engaging and attempting to get to know us. I understand now that she was learning how best to teach each one of us. She is the main reason I am in the education field.
I was hired about three weeks into my externship at a pain clinic. About a year later I moved back to North Carolina where I worked at the Cancer Center, initially in the clinic, and later in the bone marrow transplant lab. All the while, I knew I loved training other MA's and thought I might enjoy teaching. So, after obtaining my bachelor's degree, I began my career as an instructor and, in all honesty, I patterned my teaching style after my former instructor. My education at Pima Medical was phenomenal. They prepared me for my career and the adventure I'm on now - training new Medical Assistants and passing on the passion.
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I have found a career that I love as a Medical Lab Technician!
I'd attempted to find my place in the medical field once before, attending a Dental Assistant program, but it just wasn't for me. I just didn't enjoy interacting with patients. After being a stay-at-home mom for about 10 years, I returned to Pima Medical Institute, learned they had started a Medical Lab Technician (MLT) program and knew this was the program and the career for me.
I chose Pima Medical because I knew how hands-on they were. Unfortunately, shortly after starting the program, the pandemic hit resulting in us having to go to online learning. But, our instructors worked really hard to get us into the lab in small groups to practice during COVID. During my program I found out I had a brain tumor requiring surgery. The instructors were very helpful and supportive during my treatment and I was able to continue my program.
I am a veteran so I did my clinicals at the VA Hospital in Cheyenne, WY. It was challenging staying in Cheyenne during the week and driving back for week-ends, but I did it! I landed an MLT job at Centura Health's Penrose Hospital shortly after graduation and I love it! There is no typical day; every day is different and I learn something new almost every day. I plan to do this job until I can't do it anymore. I am preparing to start my bachelor's degree in Medical Laboratory Science. This will set me up to get my MLS certification, providing a pay increase and an opportunity for a lead position. I would definitely recommend Pima Medical's MLT program. If you like solving puzzles, this is a great career for you!
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My family always told me I would thrive in the veterinary field, but I didn't believe in myself. I was 24, working and intermittently taking general education classes at the community college or university with no clear direction. Everything changed when I visited Pima Medical Institute and enrolled in the Veterinary Assistant (VA) and Veterinary Technician (VT) programs. These programs ignited my passion for the veterinary field, and I was finally on a career path I loved.
The instructors at Pima Medical were incredible, providing both education and valuable connections in the veterinary field. While attending the VT program, I balanced two full-time jobs in the industry, applying my classroom learning to real-world situations. This hands-on experience was invaluable. My instructors were always available and understanding of my very demanding schedule, even making sure I had snacks when I hadn't taken time to eat.
After graduation, I spent six years at a fast-paced ER. Today, I am the Hospital Administrator at Pima Pet Clinic where I am able to utilize both my technical skills and administrative expertise. Additionally, I serve in the United States Army Reserves in a Veterinary Detachment, training medical personnel on K9 emergency assessments. Utilizing a remote-controlled robotic dog, I create scenarios (increased heart rate, insinuating pain, blood flow sensors, stomach inflation, even amputations) in order to practice real-time medical emergencies.
The mix of knowledge and experience I gained at Pima Medical has been instrumental in my career and my ability to teach. Participating in these training exercises has been one of the most fulfilling experiences in my life. The connections and the education I received at Pima Medical have truly transformed my life.
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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!
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When I first started my journey in health care, I was on track to become a nurse. After working as a phlebotomist for three years, I quit my job focusing on finishing the last few prerequisites for nursing school. However, life had other plans. I got pregnant with my now four-year-old daughter and took a year and a half off to spend time with her. In 2020, I began to reconsider my career path. I realized that the clinical side of healthcare was no longer my passion; instead, I was drawn to the administration and business side. After researching various degrees, I chose the online Health Care Administration (HCA) associate and bachelor's programs at Pima Medical Institute.
My experience at Pima Medical was incredible. Both programs' flexibility and the support from instructors and advisors were exceptional. They fit perfectly into my busy life as a full-time employee, wife and mother. The instructors were always available and willing to assist with anything I needed. The resources provided to students, from class scheduling to financial guidance, made everything so manageable. Upon completion of my bachelor's degree, I found a position as a Program Administrator at Baylor University Medical Center in Texas, managing the OBGYN, Hematology/Oncology, and Mechanical Circulatory Support programs and residents. I am currently working full-time and exploring graduate programs for Health Care Administration and Business Administration. My future goals include becoming certified in health care emergency management to effectively plan and respond to emergencies.
Thank you, Pima Medical Institute, for your guidance and support. Completing my degrees with you has been a wonderful experience, allowing me to achieve goals I never thought possible.
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When I got braces in high school, I was fascinated by how something so simple could transform a person's smile-and their confidence. That experience sparked my interest in the dental field, and after researching options, I found Pima Medical Institute's Dental Assistant (DA) program. I enrolled right after high school and jumped into the program.
My instructors were incredible! I never considered myself a standout student, but the hands-on learning style was perfect for me. I learned so much, and when it came time for my externship, it felt like a breeze because I was so prepared. They even offered me a job as soon as I finished, and I worked there happily until I moved out of state.
Since graduating in 2011, I've worked in every part of a dental office-from assisting to managing the front desk to being an office manager. Today, I'm a mom of two fast-growing kids, and I want more flexibility to be with them, so I'm going back to school for billing and coding. This will allow me to continue working in the dental field from home.
I love the dental field because I get to make a difference-helping patients find relief from pain or transforming their smiles - and I'm excited about the next chapter in my dental career. Pima Medical is an amazing place with caring instructors and I would choose it all over again. It's changed my life.
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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.
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