I always loved animals and it's been my goal to have a career working with them. I was so impressed when I took a tour at Pima Medical Institute, because there were animals everywhere. I chose this school because I knew their emphasis was going to be hands on versus just reading a book. Plus, their class schedule allowed me to continue to work and support myself while going to school.
Everyone at PMI knew all of us by name and if we ever had an issue, there was always someone willing to help and guide us. I felt knowledgeable and very prepared for every topic on the Veterinary Technician National Examination and I passed it on the first try!
I was hired immediately after graduation at the location of one of my externships and I really enjoy my job. I would like to thank everyone for all of their help and support. Down the road, I'd like to continue learning and possibly become a technologist
specializing in behavior issues. But for now, I'm just excited to work in my new career. Thanks PMI!
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My journey into health care began with the encouragement of my aunt, Marie Defede, who worked in admissions at Pima Medical Institute's Chula Vista campus. Inspired by her support, I enrolled in the Medical Assistant program in 2002 and graduated in 2003, a decision that forever changed my life.
Shortly after, I started working at Scripps Anderson's Clinic in La Jolla as a medical assistant in the Sports Orthopedic Department. I had the unique opportunity to support the San Diego Padres Baseball Team. That fast-paced environment taught me the importance of clinical accuracy, teamwork and compassionate patient care.
Wanting to give back, I returned to Pima Medical as an instructor, teaching Medical Assistant front and back office skills, Medical Administrative courses and Career Preparation. Helping students grow was deeply fulfilling, and in 2010, I was honored as Pima Medical's Peak Performer for my dedication to education and mentorship.
My career expanded beyond clinical work when I transitioned into the biopharmaceutical sector. I worked with Johnson & Johnson and Pfizer, focusing on clinical operations, system optimization and compliance in regulated environments. Alongside my career, I advanced my education. I earned an Associate Degree in Health Care Administration in 2010, a B.S. in Health Care Administration in 2013 and then a M.S. in Health Administration. I am currently completing a Doctorate in Organizational Leadership, with a focus on inclusive leadership and healthcare transformation.
Today, I serve as a Clinical Business Systems Analyst, leading projects in organizational development, system implementation and process improvement. Beyond my career, I am a passionate advocate for LGBTQ+ communities, patient rights and underserved populations.
Pima Medical was where it all began. It provided the foundation, support and mentorship I needed to pursue a fulfilling career in healthcare and leadership. I will always be proud to say my journey started at PMI.
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Unless you're independently wealthy, you work because you have bills to pay. With six daughters, I have lots of bills. One way to make life enjoyable is to work in a field we enjoy. I enjoy healthcare as evidenced by my career track record and Pima Medical Institute allowed me to find a career path that I love.
I started in Phlebotomy at PMI in 1993. That allowed me to obtain a full time job with above average wages. Over the next few years I was able to go back to PMI to complete the radiography program. Concurrently, I received on-the-job training in CT and MRI. Somewhere in the mix, I also obtained my Bachelor of Science from Arizona State University and am now pursuing my Masters of Science in Radiologic Sciences.
My most recent achievement has been acquiring the Clinical Manager of Imaging position at Flagstaff Medical Center. We are a Level One Trauma center about three hours away from the nearest metropolitan city. I manage 56 full-time employees across six modalities which includes our 273 bed hospital and one outpatient imaging center.
As a radiology technologist, I felt I could affect patient care in a positive manner, one patient at a time. Now, I can affect patient care on a much larger scale and it is immensely rewarding...and it all started with my career from Pima Medical Institute.
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I have always wanted to be a nurse, but it took until my forties to become an RN. Right after high school I became a Certified Nursing Assistant and worked in nursing homes. Not long after, I married a military man and we moved to Japan with our first child and I had to put my dream on hold. After more life situations, I ended up divorced and back in Tucson as a single mom of two children. I wanted to attend nursing school but knew I needed to wait until my kids were older before investing in myself, so I worked as a Patient Care Technician. When I was finally ready, I enrolled at Pima Medical Institute where I could avoid waiting lists and start immediately. I was in my late 30's and was the oldest person in my class and it was challenging. I wasn't very savvy with computer skills and preferred to take notes on paper, but my instructors were great! They were tough but they taught us what we needed to be successful.
While a student at PMI, I made a connection with a hospital administrator while volunteering at a nursing conference. She knew my interest in working in a psychiatric unit and suggested I meet with the director of the recently opened Geriatric Psychiatry Unit at Tucson Medical Center. That meeting led to a clinical rotation and a job offer before I had even graduated. I have been an RN in that Gero Psych Unit for over two years and I am currently assisting in a leadership role on the unit. I am so thankful to PMI for a career I love! This is my passion and I am right where I want to be. It may sound cheesy, but I was born to do this!
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My sister was the one who encouraged me to attend the Veterinary programs at Pima Medical Institute. The instructors were great! My classmates were there because they wanted to learn and that made it helpful. Every part of my experience was awesome! I loved being in the programs and I can't imagine doing anything else. I felt very prepared for my two clinical sites for the Veterinary Assistant (VA) both at a cat shelter and an animal hospital and it was great to be able to apply the things I had learned in my classes. I really wanted to be at a mixed-animal practice - one that sees both dogs/cats as well as large animals - for my Veterinary Technician externship. My instructors worked really hard to find a fit for me and I was placed at Jackpot Veterinary Center, a mixed-animal practice. I learned so much and evidently, they liked me because I never left. I had one week off between my externship and starting my new job as a Veterinary Technician.
I really love my job. Every day is different, I mainly work in the area of large animals where we care for goats, sheep, cows and horses. We have a regular schedule but since there are no ERs for large animals, we regularly go on emergency calls. There's often lots of adrenaline dealing with a 1200-pound animal and I've had some crazy experiences, but I love every minute of it.
Education is very important to me and someday I would love to get into teaching. Our state allows you to do technician work without being licensed, but I think it's important for people working with animals to know the why and the how, not just the what.
I wouldn't be where I am today without Pima Medical. This field has become a great passion of mine!
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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!
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After my children's father and I split, I was faced with the choice of doing nothing or pursuing my dreams. I chose the latter. Warren Village, a transitional housing for single moms, became my new home. I told my family advocate there that I was passionate about animals and wanted a career in veterinary. They helped me formulate a plan, including the Veterinary Assistant (VA) program at Pima Medical Institute. I began the VA program during the pandemic, juggling my studies with the chaos of three kids at home, but I knew it was the perfect fit for me. It felt like family and the instructors were very understanding. Upon finishing, I knew I wanted more and enrolled in the Veterinary Technician (VT) program. I absolutely loved the hands-on clinicals; assisting in surgery or drawing blood from a horse was amazing! At my VT graduation I was shocked and proud to win the prestigious Richard Luebke Award.
During our VT program a graduate from the Bachelor of Science in Health Administration program (BSHCA) spoke to us. This mom said if she hadn't completed the bachelor's degree program, she wouldn't be able to take care of her kids like she can now. A light bulb went off and I felt like she was speaking to me. Six days after graduating with my VT associate degree, I started the online BSHCA program. I am enjoying working at Montclair Animal Clinic, my former externship site. Prior to schooling, I worked in retail management, so I would love to use my education and manage in an animal setting. I am also dreaming about getting my masters and someday opening an animal sanctuary.
I followed my passion and I did this for my kids. I have a new career and I will have gotten my certificate, associate and bachelor's in four years. Pima Medical was my beacon of hope, offering flexibility, understanding and a brighter future.
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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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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.
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I was looking for a change from my previous jobs in food service and explored various community colleges in Seattle. After considering culinary arts, I decided to pursue a healthcare career where I knew jobs were more in demand. I chose Pima Medical Institute because the stories from previous graduates resonated with me. They were just like me, seeking change and career advancement. Despite having no prior knowledge or experience in pharmacy, I chose the Pharmacy Technician program to challenge myself.
My experience at Pima Medical was fun and engaging. The courses, from Career Prep to the Pharmacy Technician classes, were well planned. I learned everything I needed to succeed. The biggest challenge was balancing homework and projects with a full-time job, but it was worth it. The support from the staff at Pima's Renton campus was invaluable. The admissions and financial aid advisors helped me with my FAFSA, easing my financial worries. My Career Prep instructor made learning exciting and engaging. The staff provided support and organized stress-relieving activities like the Halloween costume contest. My instructor imparted all the pharmacy knowledge I needed and now apply daily in my work.
Since graduating from Pima Medical in 2018, I worked at ReadyMeds for nearly four years and I've spent the last several years working as a Specialty Pharmacy Technician at Kaiser Permanente of Washington. I highly recommend Pima Medical Institute for the support and programs they offer to help you achieve your goals and succeed in your career. Now I'm one of those graduates sharing my story to inspire others!
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I had been working at a grocery store for 12 years when I decided it was time for a change. I hadn't been in school in a very long time and wasn't quite ready to commit to a four-year university. When I found Pima Medical Institute, it felt like the right fit for me in my stage of life. I chose the nine-month Medical Assistant (MA) program because I viewed it as a great stepping stone into a career in the medical field.
I really enjoyed my time at Pima Medical. It was exciting to be in a learning environment surrounded by students who were all motivated to succeed. My biggest challenge was balancing full-time work with evening classes while still finding time to study. It wasn't easy, but I did it! The thing I appreciated most about Pima Medical was the genuine commitment to student success. There was always help available whenever I had questions or needed support. Because of that, I walked out of the program feeling prepared and confident in my new profession.
Upon graduation, I quickly found a job and began working as a Medical Assistant with Providence in family practice, where I stayed for six years. Currently, I work for Optum Primary Care, continuing my career in family medicine. While at Providence, I had the opportunity to be a preceptor in the apprentice program, and I hope to take on that role again at Optum in the future. Educating and mentoring others is a passion of mine, and I look forward to continuing to make a difference in the field of healthcare.
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I have always admired health care professionals and knew from an early age that I wanted to contribute meaningfully to patient care. As a young adult preparing for college, a routine physical led to the discovery of a benign brain tumor. I spent much of that summer in and out of the hospital. The compassion, skill and reassurance shown by my nurses and doctors left a lasting impact on me during a time filled with fear and uncertainty.
I began working as a dental assistant for a family friend, which gave me a glimpse into the profession and led to a transformative mission trip to Nicaragua, where I assisted in providing dental care to underserved communities.
Soon after, I applied to the Dental Hygiene program at Pima Medical Institute's Seattle campus. The program was rigorous, but the unwavering support from instructors made all the difference. They were dedicated to our success academically, clinically and personally. When it came time to take my clinical boards and graduate, I felt fully prepared and confident.
Now, with eight years of experience as a Registered Dental Hygienist, I often hear from employers how much they value Pima Medical graduates. This reputation for excellence inspired me to continue my education and enroll in the Bachelor of Science in Health Care Administration program. That journey equipped me with the knowledge and confidence to start my own myofunctional therapy practice. Through my Capstone project, I developed a comprehensive business plan and learned what it takes to build and sustain a health care practice.
I am proud to now serve as a Hybrid and Clinical Dental Hygiene Instructor at the Seattle campus. It's an honor to be a Pima Medical graduate, a dental professional, a business owner, an educator and, above all, a mother to three amazing children. I feel truly blessed to support my family while thriving in a career I am passionate about.
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