WELCOME HOME ALUMNI

I had been working in both electric retail and bank retail but wanted a health care career when I heard the commercial for Pima Medical Institute. I have family members who are nurses and physicians, and I have always wanted to be part of that history, but I have a fear of blood and needles. I decided now was the time to face my fears and I enrolled in the Medical Assistant program at PMI. There were many obstacles for me to overcome and school did not come easy. I had graduated from high school in the Philippines and English is my second language. In addition, I was busy working full-time and attending evening classes. My husband helped with my fear of needles by visiting me at PMI allowing me to practice on his arms. Thanks to the excellent PMI instructors, the hands on practice with my husband, and the support of my classmates, I was able to overcome my fears and become a successful Medical Assistant! I work for the University of Washington Eastside Specialty Center in various specialties. I enjoy my job and they value me as an employee. I am now taking prerequisites toward my nursing degree. My manager is very supportive of my career goals and is helping arrange my work schedule to accomplish my goals. I owe a huge thanks to my husband and his never ending support. But, I would not be where I am today without PMI. From the smiles at the front desk, to the guidance of admissions and financial aid, to my amazing instructors, to the career services counseling: they are the reason for my success!

My daughter is a neonatal nurse and an associate director at Banner Hospital. I've always said I wanted to be just like her when I grew up! I was just 16 years old when I had my daughter and spent the next 32 years working in the grocery industry while raising my kids. It wasn't until last year when my sister passed away that I experienced firsthand just how short life can be. I decided to take that tragedy and do something positive with it. My sister had always told me I could do anything and was smarter than I thought, so I decided to be like my daughter and obtain a career in the medical field. My daughter had originally attended Pima Medical Institute for her CNA, so I boldly made the call and set up an appointment. Coming in as a 56-year-old mother who hadn't had any education since getting my GED in 1989, was intimidating. But from the person who welcomed me in the lobby, to the admissions advisor and then my instructors - everyone was kind and encouraging. I loved my instructors and I learned so much from them. It was a wonderful experience and it empowered me. I feel like I can do anything! I thought it would be fun to work with babies and young parents, so I pursued and obtained a position working in the neonatal intensive care unit at Banner Health. My plan is to absorb as much information as I can and then continue my education. This is such an open field with so many opportunities. I'm so thankful for my new career and everyone at Pima Medical. You can do anything you set your mind to and you're never too old to take the risk to start over!

I chose the Respiratory Therapy program because I have several family members who are asthmatics and I also have asthma. I wanted to know more about my condition and how I could help make my life and my kids' lives better. I chose Pima Medical Institute because they had the best program and success rate. I felt at home the minute I walked in the door and found the faculty and staff to be very approachable. Going back to school at age 40 as a single parent seemed daunting in the beginning. I was in class with students who were the same age as my children. One thing I really appreciated was the mentorship. My instructors were accessible, approachable, and always willing to go that extra mile to help out with my questions. I absolutely feel this program prepared me for my profession. I did my last clinical rotation at Phoenix Children's Hospital and I fell in love. It was the first and only place I applied and I was hired right away. Since graduation, I have been working and trying to soak up as much information and knowledge as I possibly can. I recently started the Bachelor of Science in Respiratory Therapy online program through Pima Medical and hope in the future to be able to work my way up into management. I recently brought my daughter to enroll in the Medical Assistant program at Pima Medical. All of my instructors were amazing and they prepared me for my new career. I'm hoping my daughter will have the same great experience I did.

My journey began at Davis Monthan AFB in Tucson, where I worked full time as an A-10 aircraft crew chief. It was evident that aircraft design prioritized flight over maintenance worker comfort, resulting in frequent injuries to the crew. My interest in the human body caused me to take my injury rehab into my own hands resulting in helping colleagues with proper body mechanics to relieve pain. This is when I realized I wanted to become a Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) and Pima Medical Institute's program felt like my best option. The path was not easy! For the first two semesters I worked full-time as an aircraft mechanic, often working 12 days straight or overnight shifts. But, I kept telling myself it would be worth it in the end. One thing I appreciated about my instructors was the emphasis they placed on quality of patient care, emphasizing clear communication about the connection between treatment and functionality. As graduation approached in 2020, the pandemic struck, disrupting my plans by shifting education online and postponing clinical placements. Despite these setbacks, I persevered and successfully completed my clinical requirements, culminating in the passing of the board exam. Securing employment in 2020 was a formidable challenge. But, Pima Medical's Career Services Department let me know about an opportunity at Athletico Physical Therapy where I was hired as a PTA, serving two different locations. I have assumed the role of mentor to newly graduated PTAs and have become the regional representative for Athletico University, coordinating physician presentations for CEU credits. In addition, I currently serve on the national Air Force Rugby team and have built a bond between Athletico and our local women's rugby team offering guidance in conditioning and ACL prevention. I extend my heartfelt gratitude to my instructors for their unwavering support, rigorous training and encouragement of creativity. If you are passionate about helping others, I wholeheartedly recommend Pima Medical Institute.

As a proud Pima Medical Institute BSRT graduate, my journey from an associate's degree in Respiratory Therapy (RT), to a bachelor's degree, to achieving my dream job as a Critical Care Transport Respiratory Therapist at Children's Mercy has been nothing short of remarkable. While in school for my associate's at Concorde College, they highly encouraged us to continue our education and recommended Pima Medical's online Bachelor of Science in Respiratory Therapy (BSRT). I knew a bachelor's would increase my salary and would also be helpful for future supervisory or management positions. The flexibility of online classes made it manageable for me to work full-time at Salem Health, a level II trauma center with a level III NICU, while pursuing my degree. My dream of working in medical transport began at age 17, when I was a volunteer patient for the local fire department and experienced being flighted out of our neighborhood. After years of experience as an RT, I landed my dream job. As a Critical Care Transport RT, I participate in various types of transports, from helicopters and fixed wing, to jets and ground transportation, proving support to hospitals nationwide. Children's Mercy in Kansas City is one of the busiest transport teams, covering a wide range of patients including neonates, pediatrics, maternal and fetal cases. Working with limited resources challenges me to think on my feet and be creative with patient care. The transport team, comprised of brilliant minds, requires continuous education, certifications, and simulations to improve patient care. During my downtime, I enjoy visiting former patients and their families and witnessing their progress. I love to do PR at community events where I hope to inspire young girls to pursue a fulfilling career in healthcare. I'm appreciative for the role Pima Medical played in shaping my success and making my dream job a reality.

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.

I had an amazing experience in the Medical Assistant (MA) program at Pima Medical Institute. I had the best instructors and, as we spent time studying together, my classmates became amazing friends. I had always known I wanted to be in a profession where I could help people and I wanted to work with children. My older sister had completed the Veterinary Technician (VT) program at Pima Medical, so I knew it was a school I could trust and enrolled in the MA program. I appreciated all the knowledge and information they gave us about working in the real world. The hands-on experience helped us feel prepared for our new career. Since graduating in 2018 I have worked for three clinics or organizations as an MA and have gained experience in family practice, OB/GYN and specialty clinics and have learned so much! I love my job! Every day is different and I am constantly learning new things. I am so very grateful for my instructors at Pima Medical for helping me to be able to achieve my dream job. I love what I do and I am so grateful I took the leap to enroll in the Medical Assistant (MA) program.

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.

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!