After 12 years as a dental assistant I knew there was more for me in the dental profession. When I heard PMI was offering a Dental Hygiene program, I jumped at the opportunity! I am a 35 year old parent of two boys and the thought of quitting my job to attend school was quite daunting, but I forged ahead and was committed. The Dental Hygiene program was an accelerated, challenging opportunity and despite the sweat, tears, countless study sessions, long nights of studying and many other sacrifices, I completed the program and became a Board Certified Registered Dental Hygienist!
I appreciated my education at PMI and was continually impressed by the knowledge and willingness of the instructors and administration to ensure my educational success. I was prepared in every way, from classroom, to clinical lab, to my job! After passing my boards, I had three job offers! Since graduation I have been employed in an amazing dental office doing what I love! I am even considering furthering my career goals by attending PMI for a bachelor's degree.
I am so grateful for everything PMI and my instructors have done for me. I was even given a once in a lifetime opportunity to practice my profession on a missionary trip to Africa provided by the CEO of PMI, Mr. Richard Luebke, Jr. PMI truly cares for their students and provides opportunities not available anywhere else. I would definitely recommend PMI to anyone seeking a way to achieve their career goals and make a better life!
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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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I was working as an LPN and looking to become an RN. I found Pima was the best option for me because they offered a bridge program (LPN to RN) and their schedule afforded me the opportunity to continue to work and support my family while going to school. The instructors respected us and took our knowledge and experiences as LPNs into account and helped us understand what would be required of us as RNs. It was a great program and I have referred family members and multiple nurses to Pima. I really appreciated the great job they did preparing us for our boards. I was so nervous for my LPN boards, walking into my RN boards was a totally different experience because I felt prepared and confident.
Upon graduation, I continued to work at Kindred Hospital in their ICU. I later transferred to Loveless Hospital where within a year, I became house supervisor. Essentially, I supervised every nursing unit from OR, ER, and Pediatrics to, Labor and Delivery. I am currently head of pediatrics ABQ Helath Partners. I am the Nursing Supervisor and I run 3 pediatric clinics and supervise all medical staff.
I've continued my education with PMI and will soon complete my bachelor's degree and I have future goals after that. I credit Pima and their training for the reason I have advanced so quickly in my profession.
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I found myself, a 46 year old single parent of four children, facing the difficult challenge of supporting my family on my own. I had been working part time as a medical transcriptionist, but knew I would need to find a more lucrative career. I enrolled in the Physical Therapist Assistant program at Pima Medical Institute and, although I knew the next 18 months would be hard and challenging, I was determined to have a career. I worked part time, was a full time student, and a full time mom to four amazing children. My mantra was "take it one day at a time".
I had great classmates and was fortunate to belong to an amazing study group where we were able to work together to help each other be successful. Soon enough I found myself completing the last of my three clinical rotations and studying for the final exam and the national board exam. I completed school with a 4.0 GPA, and the best ending to my story was that I passed the board exam with a perfect 800 score!
But, my greatest accomplishment was that I was able to prove to myself and to my children that we can do hard things, persevere, and get through tough situations. They make me proud to be their mom and I would not have been able to succeed without their love and encouragement. I now have a job I love and I am able to support my family. Thanks PMI!
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After I obtained a bachelor's degree in industrial microbiology, I found it challenging to find a job in the pharmaceutical or medical device industry as a microbiologist. Every time I looked for a job in the laboratories, they required certifications from a medical laboratory technician (MLT) or medical laboratory sciences (MLS) program, which I didn't have. So, I decided to go back to school to get the certification I needed.
I started an MLT program at another educational institution, but in June of 2017 that institution transferred the program to Pima Medical Institute. I think it was the best thing that could have happened to me and my peers because Pima Medical took us in and helped us finish what we started.
At the time, I was pregnant and had two other children to care for. Even though the obstacles were great, my family and my instructors made the transition and process smooth and efficient. The MLT program instructors, program director and administrative staff were always available to help with whatever I needed. During my externship, I was hired as a quality specialist for a microbiology department with Infinity Laboratories. I've since decided I want more and am hoping to be accepted into a physician assistant program in the near future.
Pima Medical Institute prepared me for my profession. I am thankful to God, my family and Pima Medical for their support. Pima Medical is an outstanding educational institution and prepares students for success. I am grateful to have been part of this organization.
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I grew up in a medical environment as my dad was a Navy doctor and my mom was a nurse. I ended up getting a bachelor's degree in biology and after working for a time in construction, decided my love of animals was prompting me to pursue a career in the veterinary field. I heard about Pima Medical Institute and liked the idea that I would get experience in the field through their Veterinary Assistant program.
I still remember my first day of the VA program when my instructor looked at me and said, "You have a degree and are way overqualified for this." I explained I wanted to learn the basics of caring for animals and get hands-on experience. It's been over 25 years and that instructor and I are still in touch. She always told us, "I can teach you how to do a procedure correctly, but it's more important to teach you the WHY." I still emphasize this and repeat it often to my staff.
While working as a VA, I applied to veterinary schools, but my bachelor's degree GPA was low and I was rejected from many vet schools. Finally, I was accepted at an offshore school in the Caribbean and later transferred to Kansas State, where I earned my Doctor of Veterinary Medicine in 2002. I was a Veterinarian at a couple of clinics before owning my own. Over the years, I have hired graduates from Pima Medical and have taken their externs. They still offer a very good program and teach the basics.
My time at Pima Medical was an opportunity and a doorway into the veterinary world. I am a great example that it's not always about grades. If you have passion and are willing to work hard, you can accomplish your goals. My mom always told me, "As long as you are doing something you love, you'll be happy!" Down the road, I think I might enjoy returning to Pima Medical ... this time as an instructor.
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I grew up a troubled child in a single parent home. My mother worked three jobs to support my sisters and I, and by the time I got to high school I had attended 14 different schools. I tried community college but dropped out and for the next 10 years I built up quite the resume, but I always had a nagging feeling I was supposed to be so much more. Since the age of 12 I've had the dream of working in the medical field. I identified as a transman and I knew I wanted to eventually become a surgeon and give back to the transgender community. In 2018, I found myself living near a Pima Medical Institute campus and I decided it was time to stop peaking over the fence and start living my dream of a career in the medical field so I enrolled in their Medical Assistant program. Although it was nerve wracking starting school, I quickly adjusted and got excited about learning. I had wonderful instructors and I learned I had a knack for medicine. I was worried about being transgender but both the classmates and instructors that I told were kind and accepting. I faced many obstacles during my program including having to move several times. For a while I was getting up at 3 am to ride my bike and get to class on time. It was extremely hard, but I would show up each day with positivity and an eagerness to learn.
I was placed at the Center for Neurosciences for my externship. I wasn't afraid to ask questions and I wanted to learn all I could. I found out that after only a week they had already decided to offer me a position when I graduated. During the last part of my program I was homeless, working at my externship site during the day and working a 12 hour shift at Target overnights. With the help of Pima Medical's student services department, I was able to find resources for food, toiletries and even a place to shower. Life was certainly a struggle, but I wanted to be successful more than I wanted to sleep.
Pima Medical was the best decision I have ever made. I had amazing instructors and they gave me a great start in my medical career. Recently, I enrolled in their online Health Care Administration associate and bachelor's degree programs. I love my job as a Medical Assistant, but I want more. Just remember ... you can do ANYTHING you put your mind to. Just ignite your hunger for knowledge.
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After earning a bachelor's degree in cultural anthropology, I struggled to find a job and ended up in finance. When COVID hit, my new job offer was rescinded and I was forced to take a job at a grocery store bakery, far from my career goals. I kept hearing advertisements for Pima Medical Institute which piqued my interest in the medical field. This led me to enroll in their three-month Phlebotomy program, allowing me to work and study simultaneously with minimal school commitment. It was a way to dip-my-toe into the water of the medical field.
The Phlebotomy program was a turning point in my life. Small classes, hands-on experience, and an excellent instructor, Miss Denise, made a significant impact. I soon secured a position at Chandler Regional Hospital, where I interacted with various departments and realized my passion for patient care. Nursing stood out as the most versatile and impactful role, prompting me to pursue a nursing degree at the institute I trusted and I enrolled at Pima Medical's Mesa Campus. The Nursing program was challenging and intense, pushing me to grow and become accountable for patient care. Through diverse clinical experiences, I gravitated towards ER and ICU settings. I've recently accepted a position at OBS Banner Dessert, aiming to transfer to the ICU and eventually join the trauma team.
I am immensely grateful for my education at Pima Medical. The Phlebotomy program provided a crucial foundation, giving me the framework I needed for a career in the medical field. I invited Miss Denise to my nursing pinning ceremony and my dad told her COVID had been difficult for me and she had saved my life. He was right, Pima Medical Institute truly changed my life.
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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.
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I knew since I was a child that I wanted to be in the medical field. When it came time for me to graduate from high school, I wasn't interested in a four-year college or university because I just wanted to jump right into the workforce as soon as possible and begin my career in the medical field. After explaining this to my gramma, she recommended Pima Medical Institute. We visited together and took a tour; I knew then that the nine-month Medical Assistant (MA) program was the best fit for me.
My experience as a student was amazing! The MA program is an accelerated program and while you're learning lots of information in a short time, the hands-on practice helps you apply your skills and prepares you for the profession. All the nerves, tears and anxiousness were so worth it. I was so well prepared for my six-week externship that I was offered a position as an MA upon completion. I am still employed there and I recently began going back to school to obtain my associates in Nursing with plans to continue on to get my bachelor's (BSN) degree.
I want to say thank you to every single one of my instructors. Pima Medical changed my life, and I will always be grateful for the education I received, the lifelong relationships I built with my instructors and classmates, and the lasting career it has given me.
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Before going back to school, my life wasn't on the best path. After high school, I planned to become a nurse, but deep down I knew it wasn't what I really wanted. Eventually, I moved out on my own, but I found myself surrounded by the wrong people and making choices I wasn't proud of. It wasn't until I met my fiance that I seriously considered going back to school. He encouraged me to think about my future and what would truly make me happy. After some soul-searching, I decided to look for a Dental Assistant program - and for the first time, I felt excited about my future.
I found Pima Medical Institute through an online search, and after seeing so many great reviews from alumni, I knew it was the right place for me. Enrolling was the best decision I could have made. My experience at Pima Medical was nothing short of amazing - the support from my classmates, instructors, and family kept me going. My instructor, Margarita, was especially supportive. In fact, I wouldn't have made it through without her guidance.
I was excited for my externship at Associates in Family Dentistry and grateful to be hired upon completion. As I plan to move soon, I'm holding off on furthering my education for now, but I'm eager to explore my options. I am a proud graduate of Pima Medical and my ultimate goal is to build a successful career while growing my family with my fiance.
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I completed my Limited Radiologic Technologist (LRT) program and wanted to continue into a full radiologic technology program. I learned from a friend that Pima Medical Institute offers a bridge program for LRT graduates, which made it the best fit for me. My experience as a student was very positive. The program is designed in an exceptional way, making it manageable for everyone, including full-time employees.
One thing I really appreciated about my education at Pima Medical Institute was the professionalism and knowledge of my professors, program director, and clinical director. Their support and guidance helped me feel confident, and I do feel well prepared for my profession. I was already working at MedStar Urgent Care as a Limited Radiologic Technologist, but after graduating and passing the ARRT board exam, I was promoted to a Radiologic Technologist position.
Since graduation, I have continued gaining clinical experience and strengthening my skills in patient care and imaging. I am also planning to return to Pima Medical Institute next week to start the Bachelor's in Health Management program as part of my future career growth.
I would definitely recommend Pima Medical Institute. The program is well structured, the instructors are very knowledgeable, and the clinical training prepares students well for real-world practice. I am very grateful for my experience; the support from faculty and staff played an important role in my success.
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