Theresa Romero-Diaz CDA Albuquerque Campus 2014
During my childhood, one of my favorite places to go was the dental office. The memories stayed with me. In 1989 I saw a classified ad for PMI, which led me to the admissions office and a career as a Dental Assistant. As a student, I had many challenges; I had to take my son to the day care, I didn't have a car and I relied on public transportation to get to school. I was pregnant during school and when my daughter came early, I had to go on a leave of absence. When I returned to school, I was able to continue my honor roll status. My instructors motivated me, and I really enjoyed learning. After graduation, I worked for several years as a Dental Assistant and enjoyed every minute.
In 1993, I returned to PMI as an instructor and have been here ever since. It is easy for me to identify with many of my students, and I constantly get the opportunity to help others become successful. Some of my students have become Dental Hygienists and even Dentists, and I am extremely proud of them! In 2018 I was able to continue my education through PMI and obtain my associates in Health Care Administration from our Online Campus.
I give thanks to Pima Medical Institute and to God for giving me the opportunity to be a part of a wonderful organization.
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Nathaniel Fisher is a 2018 graduate of the Denver Campus Respiratory Therapy associate degree program and a 2020 graduate of the online Respiratory Therapy Bachelor's Degree program (BSRT)
Q: How did you learn about Pima Medical Institute?
A: I was transitioning out of the army, and had reclassed to 68W for the Colorado national guard. I was working as am EMT-B. Great experiences but struggling to make ends meet. One of my fellow Sergeants in my unit had just graduated from the Denver campus respiratory therapy associate degree program. She basically twisted my arm, and forced me to go sign up for classes. It was one of the best things I ever did in my life. It was challenging but I took to it like a fish to water.
Q: What was your experience like as a student in the Respiratory Therapy program?
A: I had a positive experience in the program and I don't feel like I faced any extraordinary obstacles, but studying and making ends meet were definitely challenging. I worked nights at a gas station and would study while I was working the register. Later, I got a job with a DME company, where I took overnight call. Balancing work, school and studying wasn't always easy, but I was determined to keep moving forward and complete the program.
Q: What would you say is one specific thing you appreciated about your education at Pima Medical Institute?
A: The instructors. They set the standard, showed us the perfect examples, and were an incredible knowledge resource. They really invested into who I was as a student. They turned me from a combat medic to a respiratory therapist. They really helped me find myself in the professional workforce.
Q: Would you recommend Pima Medical Institute? Why?
A: Absolutely. I would recommend Pima Medical Institute to others because it is an incredible institution and truly set me up for success. During my time as a student, I participated in the 2018 CSRC and AARC Sputum Bowls and went on to win both the state and national championships that year. I give Pima Medical Institute a lot of credit for helping prepare me for that success.
Since graduating, I've had the opportunity to build a diverse career in respiratory therapy. I worked in Sterling, Colorado, before taking a flight respiratory therapist position on Saipan in the Mariana Islands. When COVID hit, I returned to the United States and worked in the FEMA ICUs throughout the first year of the pandemic. I later worked in rehabilitation and am now teaching clinicals at local Career College.
Looking back, I feel Pima Medical Institute gave me the education, hands-on experience and confidence I needed to succeed in the profession and opened the door to many different opportunities throughout my career.
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I was living in Argentina, where my family is from, and was attending veterinarian school when the economy there began crumbling. I knew I had to do something with animals, so shortly after I moved back to the states I found Pima Medical Institute's Veterinary Technician program and one month later I started school.
I had to support myself, so I immediately began looking for a job. Within a couple weeks I was hired at Tropicana Animal Hospital. I'm convinced the reason they hired me was because I was a student at PMI. One of the reasons I chose PMI was its flexible schedule. I was able to work all day and attend school from 6-10 pm every night. I was tired much of the time and I had to put my social life on hold, but it went by fast and it was worth it.
I was able to continue my job at Tropicana and about 6 months after graduation, they promoted me to a supervisory position. I ended up being able to hire several of my classmates. In fact, of the 16 assistants/technicians working under me, all but 2 are Pima graduates. We currently provide externships for many PMI students. They come with a great knowledge base and we're able to provide the hands on experience. PMI gives you everything you need to be successful; you just need to apply it.
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I started my career in education working as a kindergarten teacher for 25 years. About 8 years ago, I went to Pima Medical Institute's Medical Assistant program in Denver and for a while I worked as both a teacher and a Medical Assistant. But I've always had an infatuation with smiles and I felt like I was ready for a change, so a few years ago, after moving to Arizona, I came back to Pima Medical Institute and attended the Dental Assistant program at the Mesa Campus. PMI is one of the best schools out there and I learned so much in both of my programs!
How did I get my job? I went in to get my teeth cleaned and ended up being offered a job by the dentist. It's a great fit for me. My dentist is always encouraging me to learn and offers opportunities for me to get more training. It's so good to have a mentor who is willing to teach or train while they're working with patients. I have been promoted to the Lead Dental Assistant. I enjoy the extra responsibility and it makes me want to strive for more.
I appreciate the start PMI gave me in the medical field. I am always learning and am considering going back for the Dental Hygiene program in the future.
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In the late 80's right after completing high school I enrolled in a hospital based X-ray technologist certificate program. I found out I was pretty good at it and worked in hospital settings over the years while I raised my family. Around 2007, I started finding myself in supervisory roles and decided to continue my education by getting my associate degree. This turned out to be harder than I thought. After lots of research, taking classes and being rejected by a local community college, I gave up and walked away. In 2019, I received a postcard from Pima Medical Institute about their Bachelor of Science in Radiologic Sciences (BSRS) online program. On a whim, I contacted them and sent my transcripts and, gratefully, they accepted me into their BSRS program.
At first I was intimidated because I was older and had never been a good student, but I am finishing my bachelor's with a 4.0 GPA. I have been working full time and even taking on management responsibilities while in the program. Most weekends are spent doing homework, but it's all for a greater good. I have to keep the prize in mind and it's not like it's a four-year program, it was only 14 months of my life!
I am currently a Center Manager over three imaging centers, supervising 20 employees. I had been overlooked for this position for years, but when my new supervisor heard I was pursuing my bachelor's she noticed my value and promoted me. Many of my courses, like those on ethics and compliance have been very helpful in my administrative role. Pima Medical offers a great program to complete your bachelor's degree and I have been encouraging others to attend. You just can't go far without education.
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My mother had a neuromuscular disease called Myasthenia Gravis, which resulted in her needing to be intubated and trached throughout her life, so I was familiar with respiratory. At age 19, I started my career path in the medical field as a transporter at Sunrise Hospital. As I worked with and observed the Respiratory Therapists (RT), I began to understand the importance of their profession. I knew then, this was the career for me, so I enrolled in Pima Medical Institute's RT program.
I appreciated the support from both administration and instructors and their belief that I could become a productive member of the RT community. My classmates provided support throughout the rigorous program and there was a great camaraderie among us. I remember having study sessions, gatherings, and cookouts in the parking lot with the faculty, staff and students. Having the opportunity to work in professional clinical settings while in school provided the perspective I needed and upon graduation, I was promoted to a full-time Respiratory Therapist at my hospital. I also worked with University Medical Center (UMC). I continued my education in Pima Medical's Bachelor of Science in Respiratory Therapy (BSRT) and then went on to complete my Master's Degree in Business Administration at Columbia Southern University. I am still employed with UMC as their Senior Respiratory Therapist and I have been a Clinical Instructor for Pima Medical Institute's Las Vegas Campus since 2016. My eventual goal is to move into hospital administration becoming a VP or COO.
I am very thankful for Pima Medical Institute. Anything worth having is worth working for, and true education is what you are willing to put into it whether you're at Yale, Harvard or Pima Medical. Therefore, always attempt to set the standard of excellence in everything you do and everything you love.
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I took a leap of faith and it ended up being my calling! After the birth of my oldest daughter, I was feeling the pressure of parenthood. Despite my degree in graphic design, I wasn't able to find a job. I saw a commercial for Pima Medical Institute, called for an appointment and ended up starting the Medical Assistant (MA) program almost immediately. Compared to my previous college experience, Pima Medical was a breath of fresh air - a one-stop shop for education. The positive environment, small class sizes and supportive instructors made the journey enjoyable. My classmates were both younger and older than me, but we had the same goal and supported each other.
During my externship in an urgent care, I felt well-prepared for tasks like vitals, blood draws and injections and gained valuable hands-on experience in suturing and wound care. I landed my first job at Planned Parenthood and later moved to the Nephrology department at Virginia Mason Franciscan Health, where I gained experience and became a Lead MA. Knowing I wanted to move up in healthcare, I enrolled in the online Health Care Administration program. Getting your associate degree while working in the field makes it easier as you're able to apply what you're learning. Currently, I am a Transplant Program Assistant at Virginia Mason. My responsibilities include initiating recipient referrals, scheduling recipient and donor evaluations and overall administrative support for nurses, social workers and financial coordinators.
My job is very rewarding. Every year I increase my skills to obtain more credentials, I become more valuable and my pay rate goes up. Healthcare is where it's at!
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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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Nineteen years ago, I took my first step toward a life-changing career by enrolling in the Medical Assistant (MA) program at Pima Medical Institute. I knew I wanted to work in healthcare, but I didn't realize how transformative this journey would be. During my time as an MA student, I became fascinated with Respiratory Therapy (RT), so I enrolled in Pima Medical's RT program. My instructors believed in me and pushed me beyond my limits. The administrative team was equally supportive, showing me that my education mattered to them as much as it did to me.
While still an RT student, I secured my first job at North Vista Hospital. After graduating, I joined University Medical Center (UMC) in Las Vegas. Both hospitals hired me after completing my clinical rotations. I worked my way up and built my career at UMC, eventually earning a management role. While there I continued my education, completing a Bachelor of Science in Respiratory Therapy (BSRT) online program from Pima Medical and later a master's degree in Business.
After retiring, I returned to Pima Medical to give back. In April 2024, I became the Clinical Director of Education for the RT program and by October 2024, I became the RT Program Director. I am forever grateful to Pima Medical Institute for believing in me. This journey wouldn't have been possible without the incredible instructors and staff who stood by me every step of the way.
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My wife, a nurse for 12 years, always encouraged me to join the medical field, but I kept putting it off. I worked as an insurance adjuster, traveling to areas hit by natural disasters, often being gone for 21 days at a time. With young children and older kids involved in activities, I was missing too much. One day, I told my wife I was ready to resign and pursue a medical career at the end of the year. Just a week later, I was let go from my job. We actually laughed at the timing. At the same time, my grandmother began having health problems. Caring for her made me realize the urgency of getting into the medical field-not just for my career, but to better understand her needs. My best friend had gone through Pima Medical's Practical Nursing (PN) program and had encouraged me to join him, but I wasn't ready then. Now, I knew it was the right choice and the right timing.
The PN program was very challenging for me, but I developed a strong small group of classmates who supported me and I had caring instructors who offered extra help. However, when my dear grandmother passed away on Christmas Eve, I was crushed. She had raised me and was my biggest cheerleader and I just wanted to quit. I arranged to meet with my director to withdraw from the program, but she encouraged me to stay. My wife reminded me why I had started the program, and decided to continue. I completed the PN program but still struggling with the loss, I failed my NCLEX exam twice. I felt so defeated, but I knew I couldn't give up. After passing on my third attempt, I drove to Pima Medical to hug my program director and we shared an emotional moment.
I am excited for my new career at the Center at Lowry, a rehabilitation facility where I did clinicals. I can't thank Pima Medical Institute enough; the instructors, especially Director Risner, were amazing and I wouldn't be where I am without them!
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With 20 years in imaging, I knew I needed a degree that carried weight. I chose Pima Medical Institute in 2012 because their Bachelor of Science in Radiologic Sciences program is designed for technologists who are serious about their future. It turned my years of on-the-job knowledge into a professional foundation that continues to serve me every day in CT and radiologic technology.
Returning to school after years in the field was intimidating, and my biggest obstacle was simply finding the rhythm of academic life again. But the support system at Pima Medical was incredible. I wasn't just a number; I was a professional working toward a goal. Overcoming the challenge of juggling 40-plus hour work weeks with my studies gave me a sense of pride that was just as rewarding as the degree itself.
As someone working in CT, having that deeper academic understanding of cross-sectional anatomy was a game-changer. It moved me from just following protocols to truly understanding the "why" behind the pathology I was seeing on my screen. Pima Medical Institute didn't just teach me how to operate the machinery; they prepared me to be a critical thinker in a high-stakes environment.
I was already established in my career in Hanford, California, when I decided to pursue my bachelor's degree. I maintained my full-time position while completing the online program, which allowed me to apply what I was learning in real time. That decision recently paid off in a huge way: I applied for a Clinical Coordinator position, and having my degree was the key credential that qualified me for the role.
Beyond the career advancement, I am incredibly honored to share that I was recently invited to serve on the Pima Medical Institute Advisory Board. It is a privilege to return to my alma mater in this capacity and contribute to the future of the Radiography program. Being able to offer my 20 years of experience to help shape the next generation of technologists is a highlight of my career.
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Q: How did you learn about Pima Medical Institute?
A: I started out as a 20-year-old looking for a job that could get me out of being a waitress. I found Pima Medical Institute and was very interested in the pharmacy technician program. I started the program in 2010 and graduated in 2011. I was a pharmacy technician from 2011 to 2022. In 2019, I decided to go for my bachelor's degree in health care administration. From then I found a position in 2022 as a product manager/business analyst and continue to be a certified pharmacy technician. The bachelor's degree program helped me in my current career and it also helped me pursue my master's degree in information systems at the University of Denver.
Q: What was your experience like as a student in the Pharmacy Technician and Bachelor of Science in Health Care Administration programs?
A: When I was a student in the pharmacy technician program at Pima Medical Institute, I was on campus and it was a great experience. Overall, I was able to socialize with those who were also interested in being a pharmacy technician. It was very nice to be in the classroom and have hands-on experience during that time. When I decided to go for my bachelor's degree, I was online full-time and it had everything that I needed to pursue my degree. It was a great experience as well because I was able to still manage my full-time job and also gain the experience I needed to pursue another position as a product manager/business analyst in 2022.
Q: What would you say is one specific thing you appreciated about your education at Pima Medical Institute?
A: One thing I would say that I appreciated about the education at Pima Medical Institute was how it prepared me for my pharmacy technician experience. I really liked the fact that I had an externship for it so that I could get hands-on experience and get into the field easily. I believe that Pima Medical Institute paved the way for my path to where I'm at today.
Q: Would you recommend Pima Medical Institute? Why?
A: I would recommend Pima Medical Institute to others because it started my career and it has developed me into what I am today. I was young, as a 20-year-old, not knowing what to do or where to go because I thought I was not able to be successful or be able to pay for an education, but when I found Pima Medical Institute, that is what helped me to be more successful. As I gathered more experience as a pharmacy technician, I was able to find ways to pursue my education even further. This got me to where I am today as a product manager with a master's degree in information systems with a specialty in business intelligence.
If I had not attended Pima Medical Institute, I do not believe I would be where I am today, because they gave me the tools I needed to succeed. I was able to be very successful in the pharmacy field. My 12 years of experience and dedication really helped me to earn the role I have today as a product manager in the pharmacy automation field.
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