WELCOME HOME ALUMNI

I was a golf pro for 10 years; a member of the PGA of America here in Vegas. When our first daughter was born I really didn't want to put her in daycare, so I started a golf business out of my home. Then the economy hit and my business went under. My wife suggested I go back to school but I just felt too old. I said, "By the time I graduate, I'll be 45!" In response my 12 year old daughter said, "Aren't you going to be 45 anyway?" So, I went back to school. When I looked at Pima Medical Institute's accelerated 18 month Physical Therapist Assistant program, I knew it was for me. During my whole tenure at Pima my days consisted of getting up at 6 am, dropping my kids off at 7:30 am, come home and study or sleep for a few hours, go to classes from 1-5 pm, then work from 6 pm to midnight. Then I would do it all over again. I loved learning and going to school. The instructors were extremely knowledgeable and we definitely felt prepared. I enjoy my job and I'm thankful and thrilled to be in my position. I'd highly recommend PMI's PTA program to others; both older second career individuals and young people. If someone doesn't have 6 years to give to become a physical therapist, this is a great way to go. You can make a good living and make a great impact on the community.

When I was younger I had a really good experience getting braces. I remember being fascinated with the mold impressions and the way my teeth were straightening. After high school, I worked for three years at a movie theater but my sister always encouraged me to consider the dental field. After a little research, we found Pima Medical Institute's Dental Assistant program. I remember walking up the stairs with my mom and sister and feeling super nervous. I'd had some bad experiences in high school, but I found Pima Medical to be a really friendly and helpful place. I am a caring person and I wanted to find a place to learn and then a career where I could be that kind of person. The program wasn't easy, but they provided lots of hands-on experience and I loved our labs. My instructors were the best. They shared their own experiences to help us and they were genuinely happy to see me succeed. I am currently working at El Rio Community Health Center. My doctor loves that I have knowledge and the hands-on experience I received from Pima Medical. I feel like I am finally in a place where I can really care for my patients. We recently had a denture patient that had no family support. When she finally got her dentures she cried and thanked me for being there for her. My goal is to make people happy and bring hope. I feel like I've found the place where I belong. Going to Pima Medical was the best decision I've ever made.

I was in my early 20's, ready to complete a degree in finance when I realized I really didn't want to spend my life sitting behind a desk. I had a few family members working in the radiography field and I noticed they not only had a great career, but they could choose to work in different modalities and had lots of variety in their jobs. I began researching, found Pima Medical Institute's Radiography program and enrolled. I had wonderful instructors! It's an intense and tough program, but the way the program is structured really makes you feel prepared for your profession. I enjoyed the shorter rotations for clinicals which exposed me to many different areas and modalities. Once I knew what I was looking for, I was able to complete multiple rotations in my area of interest which prepared me for a job at that very location. I was hired at University of New Mexico Hospital (UNMH) and after a year I was promoted to a charge technologist and almost 2 years ago I moved into the role of General Radiology Supervisor. I love the fast-paced environment at UNMH. We're the only trauma one hospital in the state and we see something new every day. I'm not the only Pima Medical graduate in my department, we currently have five employees that were my classmates and each year I hire multiple new Pima Medical new graduates. Pima Medical provided a great education and really prepared me for the field.

We are a military family and after we were moved from North Carolina to Colorado, I began looking for a path to a career. During my tour of Pima Medical Institute, I saw the Dental Assistant classroom and lab and knew it was the program for me. I am a very hands-on learner and seeing all the equipment just helped me know I was in the right place. While in the program, my husband was on active duty, I was a mom of two little ones and I was pregnant with my third child. It was challenging and lots of sacrifices were made, but they all paid off in the end. My experience in the Dental Assistant program at Pima Medical gave me the confidence, knowledge and tools that I needed to be successful. My first job was at my externship site; they hired me upon completing my externship hours and gave me the position of Lead Dental Assistant. I know my success in my career has been because of the training and mentoring I received from my instructors. Currently, I am at Pacific Dental Services working as a Traveling Specialty Dental Assistant. I am also a full-time student at UCCS (University of Colorado, Colorado Springs) where I am completing my pre-dental prerequisites in hopes of attending Dental School and becoming a dentist. I am thankful for the high standards and patient care my instructors taught me at Pima Medical, because now every patient in my chair is thankful for the knowledge and care I am able to provide them. I had such a great experience at Pima Medical Institute, my husband is currently attending their Veterinary Technician program!

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.

After moving from Texas to Colorado for a fresh start, I was determined to build a stable career in the medical field. Research led me to Pima Medical Institute, and from the moment I began speaking with admissions, I knew it was the right choice. Despite facing many challenges, I embarked on the Medical Assistant (MA) program with unwavering determination. I started living in my car three weeks after starting the MA program. I was juggling homelessness, school and a full-time job. I struggled finding safe places to park, hot and cold nights, and finding time between work and school to do homework, sleep and get to the gym to take showers. I found incredible support from caring and understanding instructors who became like family to me. They provided resources and encouragement, helping me navigate the toughest moments. As difficult as my situation was, school was my biggest motivation and the people at Pima Medical were my support and prepared me for my future. Thanks to great instructors and comprehensive training, I excelled at my externship at Advanced Urgent Care, impressing my supervisors enough to secure a job offer before even graduating. To my instructors at Pima Medical, I owe a debt of gratitude. I am the person I am today because of you. Your unwavering support and belief in me kept me going when times were toughest. Thank you for never giving up on me. You've shaped me into the professional I am today and I will forever be grateful.

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.

My mom had been a nurse in the Philippines, but after moving to the US she cared for us and began working as a phlebotomist. This influenced my decision to go into the medical field after high school. On a whim one day, I stopped by Pima Medical Institute and ended up enrolling in the three-month Phlebotomy program which started two weeks later. It was fast paced and very different from high school as students were all ages and yet we were all looking for a change or a new career. Even though our time together was short, it felt like family. My first job was with a blood donation company and after moving to eastern Washington, I worked at a hospital. This gave me a variety of experiences and built my confidence and I later transitioned into dialysis. I knew I eventually wanted to become a Medical Assistant (MA) and even though Pima Medical was a long commute, I had confidence in them so I enrolled in the MA program. I was pregnant, worked full time and had a long commute each day, but I did it! I feel like Pima Medical helped shape me into a resilient person. After graduation I worked at a hospital and a few other sites as an MA. But it wasn't long before I began to envision myself in administration, so I chose to complete the Health Care Administration online associate degree. That program gave me so much confidence and I loved it. After graduating, I saw an opening for a Career Services Advisor at Pima Medical, applied, and got the job. Now, I get to guide students and share my journey with them. Watching them grow reminds me of my own transformation. Pima Medical has been a constant in my life, and I'm proud to be part of a team that changes lives every day.

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.