WELCOME HOME ALUMNI

When I was 18 years old my dad really wanted me to go to Pima Medical Institute; in fact, he offered to pay my tuition. But I told him I wasn't interested because I wanted to go to a four-year college. Well that never happened, and I always regretted my decision. I ended up working for TPA (Third Party Administrator) for 22 years, followed by several low paying dead end jobs. I finally decided it was time to go to PMI. After meeting with an advisor I chose the Medical Administrative Assistant program. At age 42, I was a little scared to go back to school, but my classmates became my friends, despite my age. I completed the program with a 4.0 GPA! My instructors were excellent and had experience in the field, which helped with realistic expectations. As a result, I felt prepared for my externship. I was offered a job during the first week, which I accepted. I recently graduated from Pima Medical's online Health Care Administration program and my plan is to continue on to get my bachelor's degree. My long-term goal is to work in hospital human resources. I want to keep learning and be an example for my kids. If you want to work in the medical field, come to PMI. You get the education and the experience you need in a short amount of time, you walk out with a career, and they help you find a job. That's more than a four-year university offers!

After graduating from high school, I attended UTEP (University of Texas at El Paso) but despite attempting a number of majors, I still didn't have a plan. The thing that brought me joy was volunteering at the shelter where I adopted my dog. I really loved working with the animals and it made me realize that's what I was meant to do. I began researching schools with a veterinary program around El Paso and found Pima Medical Institute and enrolled in the Veterinary Assistant program. I cannot tell you how excited and joyful I was to finally start on a path to a career I knew I would love! I had a great experience during my 9-month program. My instructor was wonderful and I received lots of hands-on practice. I was placed in Boerne, near San Antonio, at the Cibolo Creek Veterinary Hospital for my externship and before I left to head back to El Paso, they offered me a position! After almost three years as a Veterinary Assistant I decided to continue my education and enrolled in the Veterinary Technician program, this time at the Pima Medical in San Antonio. I have been learning so much and am enjoying getting exposure in different areas like exotics and livestock. I appreciate my instructors sharing their experiences and providing hands-on instruction. I plan to graduate later this year. I love the veterinary field and I am so thankful to Pima Medical for providing a path to a great career that I love!

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!

I served in the US Air Force for over 12 years working in biomedical engineering and after medically retiring, I continued in the biomedical field working up to director level. But, I found myself feeling unfulfilled. While in the Air Force, I had been injured and received occupational therapy (OT) for almost two years. Long story short, I was an OT patient who fell in love with OT ... so I decided to take the risk of a career switch. While researching Pima Medical Institute's Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) program, I could not find one bad review. One day while feeling brave, I enrolled in the OTA program. The instructors were amazing, they all brought different perspectives and their breadth of experience added so much value. The way they handled us educationally was very OT like; lots of empathy, flexibility, individualized learning and challenges. By the end of my very first day of field work, I knew I had found my place and was meant to be an OTA. Finding a job was a seamless process. I had choices and I was able to leverage my previous experience into a nice entry-level salary. I am currently an OTA in Prescott Valley, AZ at an inpatient rehabilitation hospital that specializes in neuro and spine and I just love my job! Because my parents taught me the value of community involvement, I have been actively involved in our state and national OT professional associations. I serve on a justice, diversity, equity and inclusion national committee. Recently, I was surprised and honored to receive the Arizona OTA of the Year Award. I received a quality education from amazing instructors at Pima Medical Institute. My daughter is currently enrolled in their OTA program and that's about the best endorsement a mom could give!

I had recently graduated from high school and learned I was pregnant when the pandemic hit. Both of my parents were hospitalized with COVID and I was left alone with my 10 siblings. My father was in a coma for two months and once he began to recover, the hospital provided minimal and very poor care. So, we took him home and I became his caretaker. It was a difficult time for my family. As a result of this experience, I decided I wanted a career in the medical field so I could provide the support and care for patients I wished my father had received. I started the Medical Assistant program at Pima Medical Institute, and had so many obstacles to overcome. As a young mom of a newborn, I often came to class having had no sleep, in addition I was suffering from severe postpartum depression. I didn't have a car and regularly had to leave early to catch the bus which caused me to struggle with transportation to my externship. Many times, I wanted to give up. The staff and instructors encouraged me and believed in me, even when I didn't believe in myself. They gave me many second chances because they saw something in me. During my externship at Paragon Medical Associates, my supervisor pushed me to be better and offered me a position after graduating. I have changed so much; I've become a stronger person and better Medical Assistant. I can honestly say, I would not be where I am today if it weren't for Pima Medical and people like, Ms. Wheeler and Ms. Knight. I was at a low point in my life and wanted to quit. They encouraged me and pushed me all the way to graduation. Going to Pima Medical changed my life for the better and now I am working in the career I love!

After completing high school, I was looking for a temporary source of income that would pay enough to allow me to put myself through college. I had several family members who had attended various programs at Pima Medical Institute, so decided to enroll in their nine-month Pharmacy Technician program, figuring it might be a quick way to make more than the average college student. The class schedules were ideal, allowing me to work while going to school. It was a strenuous curriculum but my instructor, a Doctor of Pharmacy with many years of experience, ensured his students became successful Pharmacy Technicians. He knew exactly what made a great technician and he prepared us well to become nationally recognized Certified Pharmacy Technicians. I have spent the past 17 years as a Pharmacy Technician working in inpatient pharmacy performing sterile and chemotherapy compounding. I moved away from Arizona about seven years ago and I was hired at the VA Medical Center, where I was quickly promoted to Lead IV Trainer. Recently, the Mayo Clinic in Mankato reached out to me and offered me a job as their Technician Supervisor with a focus in Sterile Compounding. The temporary job I thought would support further education became my career. I am very proud of my work as a Pharmacy Technician and I'm thankful for my Pima Medical instructor. As a result of being trained by him, I feel like my career has been really distinguished and for that I will always be grateful.

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!

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!

I have always wanted a career in healthcare. I had previously pursued a nursing route, but was discouraged and unsure if nursing was really what I wanted to do. I came to Pima Medical Institute interested in the Pharmacy Technician program, but the admissions counselor I spoke to asked if I had heard about Respiratory Therapy (RT). She showed me a video explaining what an RT did and I was sold. Then and there, I found my calling. I was meant to be a Respiratory Therapist. I graduated from the Respiratory Therapy (RT) program with an Associate of Occupational Science in 2011. Knowing where the industry was headed, and my drive to move beyond bedside, I enrolled in the online Bachelor of Science in Respiratory Therapy program (BSRT) and graduated in 2014. Since then I have worked in a critical access hospital, an acute care hospital, and a level IV Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). The NICU was my favorite place to work and where I excelled. My experience allowed me to sit for three additional specialty certifications, adding some hard-earned credentials to my resume. Along the way, I found my second calling and passion - teaching all things respiratory. I continued on to obtain a Master's degree, which opened up another door for career advancement. I began teaching in a local respiratory therapy program while still working bedside, waiting to make the full transition into education. Fortunately, an opportunity came up to teach in the very same program here at Pima Medical Institute where I had attended 14 years earlier. Here I am, walking the same halls and teaching in the same classrooms I was a student in many years ago. I've come full circle from student to faculty ... I am still learning and doing what I love!