WELCOME HOME ALUMNI

At the age of 44 I was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer. I went through two difficult years of being very sick and spending time in and out of the hospital. After several operations, I was told if the chemo didn't work, I had six months to live. I was sent to a grief counselor who asked me, "If you could do life all over again, what is one thing you would change or do over?" I told her that I would have dedicated my life to helping animals and the people who love them. Prior to my cancer, I had been working and making decent money, but without meaning. I was left feeling empty. The chemo worked, and I started PMI's Veterinary Assistant Program. What a challenge! Being around all the younger students was intimidating. I was concerned I wouldn't be able to keep up with the fast pace learning after so many years of not being in school. However, my classmates turned out to be some of my best friends! The instructors were fantastic! They were tough, but cared about me. I found my dream job through my PMI's externship program. I'm blessed to be working at VCA Hualapai Animal Hospital in Las Vegas, Nevada as a Veterinary Assistant. I am planning to become a Vet Tech next. If Dr. Mayer, or any of my PMI instructors were standing in front of me at this moment, I would probably break down, hug them and say THANK YOU for helping me achieve my dream. No more regrets for me!

I worked at a restaurant for 14 years and had worked my way up from dishwasher to kitchen manager. My family was growing, but my income was staying the same. I was at the top but we were still living pay check to pay check and I couldn't afford health insurance. When my daughter was born with a heart defect, everything changed. We were told she would need multiple surgeries and my wife and I decided we didn't want to rely on AHCCES for her healthcare and didn't want her to be saddled with bills later in life. It was a huge step for us, but I quit my job and went back to school to obtain a career that would pay the bills and provide health insurance. I began researching the respiratory field after having watched a respiratory therapist work on my daughter when her lungs collapsed. I visited several schools before meeting with an advisor at PMI who was real with me and made me feel at home. I never felt like I was a good student in high school, but stepping into the Respiratory Therapy program at Pima Medical Institute, I found out I loved to learn! The instructors were fantastic and the classes are set up like building blocks taking someone like me, from a completely different career field, and setting me up to succeed. I recently signed up for PMI's online bachelor's program and I just want to keep on learning! I am currently working at Banner University Hospital, I have health insurance, and my daughter just had her third heart surgery and is doing phenomenal! I love my job and my new profession - thanks PMI!

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!

My husband and I went through a life changing health crisis. He was very sick and we spent a lot of time in the hospital over several years. It was through that experience that I fell in love with healthcare and, ironically, needed a new career to support my family of six. I researched many healthcare programs and found that Pima Medical Institute's Respiratory Therapy program had everything I needed to launch me in my new career. I had an incredible student experience! The curriculum was comprehensive and I had amazing supportive teachers who helped me every step of the way. I faced numerous obstacles; I struggled with self-confidence, I experienced two family deaths while in the program, my husband had chronic health concerns and needs and I had four young children needing my attention. The obstacles were endless, but I had a wonderful support system. The day I passed my boards I was offered a position at the hospital across from the campus. In early 2020 I was offered the opportunity to move to Minnesota and work in the neuro and surgical ICU units at the main campus of the Mayo Clinic and, recently, I was able to obtain my dream job there, working with the pediatric population. I had the best instructors during my time at Pima Medical! They provided incredible support; exactly what I needed to complete my journey. There will never be enough ways to express my thanks to them and to Pima Medical Institute.

My family always told me I would thrive in the veterinary field, but I didn't believe in myself. I was 24, working and intermittently taking general education classes at the community college or university with no clear direction. Everything changed when I visited Pima Medical Institute and enrolled in the Veterinary Assistant (VA) and Veterinary Technician (VT) programs. These programs ignited my passion for the veterinary field, and I was finally on a career path I loved. The instructors at Pima Medical were incredible, providing both education and valuable connections in the veterinary field. While attending the VT program, I balanced two full-time jobs in the industry, applying my classroom learning to real-world situations. This hands-on experience was invaluable. My instructors were always available and understanding of my very demanding schedule, even making sure I had snacks when I hadn't taken time to eat. After graduation, I spent six years at a fast-paced ER. Today, I am the Hospital Administrator at Pima Pet Clinic where I am able to utilize both my technical skills and administrative expertise. Additionally, I serve in the United States Army Reserves in a Veterinary Detachment, training medical personnel on K9 emergency assessments. Utilizing a remote-controlled robotic dog, I create scenarios (increased heart rate, insinuating pain, blood flow sensors, stomach inflation, even amputations) in order to practice real-time medical emergencies. The mix of knowledge and experience I gained at Pima Medical has been instrumental in my career and my ability to teach. Participating in these training exercises has been one of the most fulfilling experiences in my life. The connections and the education I received at Pima Medical have truly transformed my life.

After 12 years working primarily as a public health nurse at a Federally Qualified Health Center (BQHC) serving medically underserved populations, I became a supervisor at the Florida Department of Health. It was then that I realized that I needed to obtain my Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) to remain competitive in the job market. When I changed jobs, my new employer offered a deal I couldn't pass up; a FREE RN to BSN program, with the only contingency being that I remain with them 12 months after my degree attainment. I was initially accepted at a much larger and well-known university for an online Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program, but the communication between myself and their recruiters left a lot to be desired, and as an older student who had never taken online classes, it spooked me. I searched and found Pima Medical Institute's online BSN program. I applied and was immediately welcomed by a veritable squad of people helping ease my fears and walk me through a new-to-me online educational experience. The director even called me personally to ensure the program fit my needs for maximum success. I graduated with a 3.9 GPA this past May, and I couldn't praise my professors or fellow students more! I had access to kind and helpful staff even at odd hours, and it has helped me become so much more confident in my current practice. My positive educational experience at Pima Medical has me seriously considering the Master of Science in Organizational Leadership (MSOL) online program. This is something that was never on my radar before and I know I would only want to tackle this goal with Pima Medical Institute.

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.

After running a travel agency for fifteen years, I began searching for a new career in the medical field. I'd always been interested in photography, so radiology seemed like a natural fit. At 43, I returned to school to earn my associate degree in Radiologic Science. I gained experience working at a regional hospital in Minnesota, learning X-ray, CT, ultrasound, and nuclear medicine. Then in 2014, my husband and I, looking to fulfill our dream, moved to Alaska where I became a multi-modality technologist with Providence in Seward. Eventually, I stepped into the role of Diagnostic Imaging Supervisor, leading a $1.8 million department remodel to improve patient care. Upgrading our equipment to include a new CT scanner and digital X-ray systems has enabled us to offer year-round mammography, allowing for earlier breast cancer detection and better outcomes. In 2023, my love for learning led me to Pima Medical Institute, where I completed my Bachelor of Science in Radiologic Science (BSRS) online. Graduating with honors was a major accomplishment. I was especially impressed with the instructors and the quality of education at Pima Medical, and I'm proud to be a graduate. We are a critical care access hospital that sees patients from around the world. Tourists visit our community for various reasons, such as sport fishing, sightseeing, mountain hiking, mountain biking and cruise ships. This year we had ninety-six cruise ships bringing thousands of passengers on and off the ship. In my role, I often meet patients on one of the toughest days of their lives. My goal is to make a difference for them. I'm grateful for the skills and support from Pima Medical that has allowed me to provide the best care possible.

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.