WELCOME HOME ALUMNI

After graduating from high school I had planned to join the Navy where I was to be trained as a dental assistant. I was in the process of completing the final paperwork when I found out I was pregnant. Shocked and confused, I didn't realize that this would suddenly shut the door on my dreams of getting into the dental field. But, soon after I refocused and enrolled in PMI's Dental Assistant program. A week into my new program and 10 weeks pregnant, I got the news that the father of my child had committed suicide. Words cannot describe the pain of that loss and the inner conflict to stay in bed and grieve my hurts and the need to encourage myself to continue going to school. After taking a week off, I rejoined the class with a determination not to give up on myself, my baby and my dreams. The instructors were amazing, as were my classmates. They encouraged me and helped me to focus and graduate with honors. I was hired immediately at the office where I'd done my externship. While there, I worked alongside their dental hygienist. As a result, I fell in love with the dental hygiene field and decided I wanted more. I've spent the last 2 years researching schools and completing my requirements and I've recently been accepted into a Dental Hygiene school. I went from having no direction, to succeeding both personally and professionally. The people at Pima Medical Institute were amazing and showed me a career I never could have imagined would be taking me to new heights. I can't wait to be a Dental Hygienist! Thanks PMI!

After high school I found myself unsure of what I wanted to do. After jumping around from job to job, I always found myself gravitating toward jobs with animals, so I began researching schools with veterinary programs. I had visited several other schools before coming to Pima Medical Institute, but when I walked through the doors at PMI, it had a different feel. Once I learned more about PMI's Veterinary Assistant program, I realized it was going to be a perfect fit. The teachers made it very easy for me to want to learn and attend classes every day. They were always available to help me understand the concepts I needed to learn in order to succeed. My favorite part was the surgical aspect and the behind the scenes care needed to solve problems. Jumping into the clinic was a little intimidating at first, but PMI taught me to reach for and grasp onto all I could during my externship experience. In the end, my externship site wanted to hire me as soon as I finished! I accepted the job offer and I am now working as a Veterinary Assistant at the very fast-paced Vet Med Emergency Clinic in Phoenix! I often walk through the door and immediately step into situations where I am hands-on both with the doctors and the animals and don't stop until my shift has ended! I plan to continue my education in PMI's Veterinary Technician program and further my career and I'd like to specialize in Arizona wildlife and work with endangered species. PMI has offered me a great starting point in the animal field and has provided me an excellent path for success.

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!

Back in the 90's I was a teenage mom and was forced to drop out of high school and later get my GED. I wasn't doing much with my life until I had a traumatic family experience. My mom became suddenly ill, we brought her to the hospital and they brushed it off and sent her home. Unfortunately shortly after, she died of a thoracic aneurysm. I decided then and there that I wanted to pursue a career in healthcare and never be in a position where I didn't know how to help someone. I enrolled in the Medical Assistant (MA) program at Pima Medical Institute. It was tough! I had three kids, I was working and I hadn't been a student for a long time. It became so difficult I had to drop out for a time. But I came back and had great instructors who believed in me and helped make the textbook learning practical. After completing the program I worked in a number of different healthcare settings, but I always had my mind set on working at the Arizona Heart Institute. One day, I got the call for my dream job and ended up working there for seven years. As I worked with the surgeons, I finally learned the what, why and how of thoracic aneurysms. I actually had a patient who had an abdominal aneurysm. We caught it and I was able to help save his life. It was like a completion of a goal and a dream. After working 23 years in the field, I decided it was time to give back. I am currently an MA instructor at Pima Medical Institute's Phoenix Campus. My goal is to help my students succeed. I think my experience as a single mom helps me be a better instructor. I know that pushing through and doing the hard work will pay off. It is so rewarding knowing I am making a difference in my students' lives.

My dad had a bout of pneumonia and ended up on a ventilator and I was fascinated watching the respiratory therapist control my dad's breathing. I'd been working in the auto industry, never thought I was college material, but I my family believed in and motivated me to look into the field. I set up a tour of Pima Medical Institute with the program director and as I saw the facility and listened to her, I fell in love with her passion for respiratory therapy. Being a student at Pima Medical was certainly challenging for me, but the support I had from instructors and classmates was amazing. Our class decided that no one was going to fail, so when someone was struggling with a concept, we all rallied around them. The instructors were always available for extra help and by the time I got to clinicals, I really felt prepared. Prior to graduation I obtained a position with Banner South, a hospital that had been part of my community since I'd been a child. While performing bedside care as a respiratory therapist, I recognized that healthcare doesn't stop at the bedside. I became interested in looking at how, for example, a patient's social economic situation impacted their outcome. Knowing I wanted to make a bigger impact and with the confidence I gained from my time at PMI I went on and continued my education earning my bachelor's in applied management and ultimately my MBA. I navigated my way throughout the healthcare system from beside care, care coordination, to quality improvement. Wanting to be more proactive than reactive, I took a position as Senior Manager of Medicare Administration. We not only looked at how we delivered advantage plan benefits, I'm proud to say we instituted a non-traditional innovative program for our patients. Recently, I accepted a position as Director of Care Delivery Operations for Banner Health Corporate. I recognize that in order for bedside staff to offer their best care, processes and supply have to be in place. I can now play a role in making that happen and that is very exciting! Pima Medical provided the necessary educational and support a guy - who didn't think he was college material - needed in order to have the confidence to be successful. Next step - CEO!

After twelve-plus years as a personal trainer, I found myself needing a job with benefits like a 401K and insurance, so I transitioned to a desk job. However, I was miserable and knew I needed a career that left me feeling fulfilled. I reevaluated my passions and realized I still loved working with bodies and physical health. A co-worker who had attended Pima Medical Institute for the Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) program encouraged me to consider it. After researching and learning about the program, I decided to go back to school. Despite my experience, I wasn't initially accepted into the PTA program. Crushed but determined, I quit my desk job and worked as a rehab tech at an assisted living facility for a year. When I reapplied, I was accepted and I set a goal to graduate with honors. At 39, I was older than most of my classmates, but I felt more prepared for the professional aspects. My instructors were great clinicians and I was able to learn and draw on their experiences. My clinicals were challenging, especially when COVID hit, causing disruptions. Despite the added stress, our instructors ensured we gained the necessary practical experience. After graduation, I worked at a skilled nursing facility, which I enjoyed, but quickly experienced burnout. I accepted a Physical Therapist Assistant position at Rocky Mountain Physical Therapy, where I have been thriving. In fact, a year ago I was promoted to Clinic Director. I love my job, my patients and the challenges of managing the clinic. As a clinical instructor, I work with Pima Medical students, drawing on my experiences to engage them in hands-on learning. I'm proud to have graduated with honors and have even inspired a former client of mine to enroll in Pima Medical's Respiratory Therapy program. Now, both of us are medical professionals making a difference in people's lives. It's incredibly fulfilling!

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.

At age 19, I started at Pima Medical Institute after realizing that my initial path at UNM wasn't the right fit for me at that time. A friend suggested looking into CT technology, and after some research, I found that Pima Medical's Radiography (RAD) program offered a quicker and more fitting path to my career goals. The structured environment in the RAD program was exactly what I needed, although it wasn't always easy. My father passed away during my second semester, which made it tough to stay on track, but with the support of the school, I persevered. The clinical experiences were mostly positive, giving me valuable hands-on learning. Even in challenging situations, I gained skills by working independently, which proved to be great learning experiences. Graduating in 2004, I entered the workforce during a tech shortage and quickly landed a job. I started in x-ray and, over the years, expanded my expertise by becoming registered in mammography, bone density, and MRI. However, I chose to focus on mammography, as it offered a better work-life balance compared to MRI. After a decade at a hospital, I transitioned to a quieter clinic setting where I could work more independently, which suits me well. I've been at a small clinic for nearly a year now, enjoying the stability and better hours. Alongside my career, I'm also completing my bachelor's degree in university studies, thanks to a state program offering free classes to those close to finishing their degree. Looking ahead, I'm content with where I am but open to new opportunities, possibly in management. Pima Medical set me up for success, giving me the tools I needed to start and grow my career in radiology. Now 20 years later, I'm grateful for the education and experiences that have brought me to where I am today.

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.