WELCOME HOME ALUMNI

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 dad had a bout of pneumonia and ended up on a ventilator and I was fascinated watching the respiratory therapist control my dad's breathing. I'd been working in the auto industry, never thought I was college material, but I my family believed in and motivated me to look into the field. I set up a tour of Pima Medical Institute with the program director and as I saw the facility and listened to her, I fell in love with her passion for respiratory therapy. Being a student at Pima Medical was certainly challenging for me, but the support I had from instructors and classmates was amazing. Our class decided that no one was going to fail, so when someone was struggling with a concept, we all rallied around them. The instructors were always available for extra help and by the time I got to clinicals, I really felt prepared. Prior to graduation I obtained a position with Banner South, a hospital that had been part of my community since I'd been a child. While performing bedside care as a respiratory therapist, I recognized that healthcare doesn't stop at the bedside. I became interested in looking at how, for example, a patient's social economic situation impacted their outcome. Knowing I wanted to make a bigger impact and with the confidence I gained from my time at PMI I went on and continued my education earning my bachelor's in applied management and ultimately my MBA. I navigated my way throughout the healthcare system from beside care, care coordination, to quality improvement. Wanting to be more proactive than reactive, I took a position as Senior Manager of Medicare Administration. We not only looked at how we delivered advantage plan benefits, I'm proud to say we instituted a non-traditional innovative program for our patients. Recently, I accepted a position as Director of Care Delivery Operations for Banner Health Corporate. I recognize that in order for bedside staff to offer their best care, processes and supply have to be in place. I can now play a role in making that happen and that is very exciting! Pima Medical provided the necessary educational and support a guy - who didn't think he was college material - needed in order to have the confidence to be successful. Next step - CEO!

I decided to make a career change with the goal of finding something I could be passionate about doing every day. I had a friend who had recently retired from a successful career as a Radiologic and MRI Technologist. They recommended the Radiography (RAD) associate program at Pima Medical Institute and a few weeks later I decided to enroll. Being a student in the RAD program was very engaging from the beginning. We spent the first two semesters in the classroom learning which gave me a good knowledge base before clinicals and helped immensely with both my technical skills and confidence. The pace and structure of the program have been fine tuned to get you prepared to take the ARRT exam as well as to work in the field. The biggest obstacle we faced was the Covid-19 pandemic, but our instructors did everything possible to keep us progressing through the program. I was hired at Sharp Memorial Hospital almost immediately upon receiving my ARRT and CA state licensure. I had trained there while I was a student and the supervisor reached out to me when it was nearing my graduation date. Most recently, I have begun cross-training in CT. This involves on the job training as well as additional education hours online, both of which are being provided to me by my employer. Eventually, I would like to find my way into the Interventional Radiology aspect of our department. Dr. Schmidt has built a proven method to get her students ready for the field. If you are a prospective student serious about becoming a Radiologic Technologist, then Pima Medical Institute is for you. I would absolutely recommend this program!

I was in my early 20's, ready to complete a degree in finance when I realized I really didn't want to spend my life sitting behind a desk. I had a few family members working in the radiography field and I noticed they not only had a great career, but they could choose to work in different modalities and had lots of variety in their jobs. I began researching, found Pima Medical Institute's Radiography program and enrolled. I had wonderful instructors! It's an intense and tough program, but the way the program is structured really makes you feel prepared for your profession. I enjoyed the shorter rotations for clinicals which exposed me to many different areas and modalities. Once I knew what I was looking for, I was able to complete multiple rotations in my area of interest which prepared me for a job at that very location. I was hired at University of New Mexico Hospital (UNMH) and after a year I was promoted to a charge technologist and almost 2 years ago I moved into the role of General Radiology Supervisor. I love the fast-paced environment at UNMH. We're the only trauma one hospital in the state and we see something new every day. I'm not the only Pima Medical graduate in my department, we currently have five employees that were my classmates and each year I hire multiple new Pima Medical new graduates. Pima Medical provided a great education and really prepared me for the field.

Almost 20 years ago, I was working in the semiconductor field. After going through several layoffs, I decided I needed something that would offer more stability, so I chose a career in the medical field and enrolled in Pima Medical Institute's Medical Assistant (MA) program. It was a very challenging time for me; a single mother of two boys and pregnant with my third. I worked full time and went to school full time and had to take six weeks off during my program to give birth to my son. One thing I appreciated about my education at Pima Medical was the outstanding instructors. They provided me with the guidance and knowledge I needed to be successful in my career. I was hired at Colorado ENT & Allergy as soon as I completed my externship there and I never left. I have had an amazing journey and career working for outstanding physicians. I started off as a rooming Medical Assistant for about two years and then I worked with Dr. Bryan Davis for nine years as his Physician MA, along with being the Lead MA in the practice. In 2016, I had the honor of becoming the Clinical Manager. I have had the opportunity to grow as a person and become very knowledgeable in the otolaryngology world at Colorado ENT & Allergy. I have hosted students from Pima Medical for their externships for several years now and I will continue to because of the great MA program and qualified students Pima Medical produces. Pima Medical offers so many different opportunities to become successful and I would recommend it without hesitation. I have to give a shout out to my instructor, Shirley Jelmo. She is compassionate, caring and honest and she was such a huge part of my successful journey and it is an honor to partner with her to this day.

At age 19, I started at Pima Medical Institute after realizing that my initial path at UNM wasn't the right fit for me at that time. A friend suggested looking into CT technology, and after some research, I found that Pima Medical's Radiography (RAD) program offered a quicker and more fitting path to my career goals. The structured environment in the RAD program was exactly what I needed, although it wasn't always easy. My father passed away during my second semester, which made it tough to stay on track, but with the support of the school, I persevered. The clinical experiences were mostly positive, giving me valuable hands-on learning. Even in challenging situations, I gained skills by working independently, which proved to be great learning experiences. Graduating in 2004, I entered the workforce during a tech shortage and quickly landed a job. I started in x-ray and, over the years, expanded my expertise by becoming registered in mammography, bone density, and MRI. However, I chose to focus on mammography, as it offered a better work-life balance compared to MRI. After a decade at a hospital, I transitioned to a quieter clinic setting where I could work more independently, which suits me well. I've been at a small clinic for nearly a year now, enjoying the stability and better hours. Alongside my career, I'm also completing my bachelor's degree in university studies, thanks to a state program offering free classes to those close to finishing their degree. Looking ahead, I'm content with where I am but open to new opportunities, possibly in management. Pima Medical set me up for success, giving me the tools I needed to start and grow my career in radiology. Now 20 years later, I'm grateful for the education and experiences that have brought me to where I am today.

When I decided to become a radiologic technologist, Pima Medical Institute's Radiography (RAD) program stood out to me. Unlike community college, I could start right away, and that was a big draw. The program was challenging, but the friendships I formed with my classmates kept me motivated and accountable. I really enjoyed my instructors, who provided both emotional and professional support. The diversity of my clinical rotations was something I truly appreciated. I had the chance to practice my skills in a variety of settings, from a rural hospital to an orthopedic clinic, a large hospital, and even special procedure rotations. These experiences not only helped me decide which areas of radiography I enjoyed most but also pushed me out of my comfort zone, honing my skill set. My first job was in urgent care, where I was the only tech on site. This role was invaluable for my growth. I had to rely on my education and critical thinking skills to obtain the best images possible. After years of working in different disciplines, I discovered my passion in Interventional Radiology and the Cath Lab. I became the lead tech in a Neuro Endovascular Lab, a role that eventually led me to join Rapid Medical Inc. as a Clinical Specialist. This position has been one of the best things to happen in my career, allowing me to travel, expand my knowledge, and contribute to patient care in a new way. I'm incredibly grateful to Pima Medical Institute for their RAD program and the online Bachelor of Science in Radiologic Sciences (BSRS) program. Both provided a strong foundation that has allowed my career to flourish.

After 25 years in restaurant management, I always knew I wanted to go back to school, but life kept getting in the way. In 2017, everything changed when I got very sick and ended up in the hospital for 10 days. One nurse, an older, highly skilled woman, was so inspiring that I thought, "If she can do this, so can I." Though I didn't want to be a nurse, I knew my management background could help me run a medical office. However, when I tried applying for receptionist jobs, I kept hearing the same thing-I needed medical experience. That's when I decided to take a leap and enroll in Pima Medical Institute's Medical Assistant (MA) program. The nine-month program gave me the education I needed to get my foot in the door. It wasn't easy-after being out of school for 20 years, I had to relearn how to study and manage my time. But thanks to Pima Medical's support system and my fellow students, I got through it. I landed my first job as an MA through my externship at Pima Heart. I soon enrolled in the online Health Care Administration (HCA) program, while moving up in my job and then continued into the Bachelor of Science in Health Care Administration (BSHCA) program. Upon completion, I applied to administrative positions and was humbled to have 15 interviews scheduled. After considering numerous job opportunities, I chose to join Banner Health as a Practice Manager, overseeing a staff of 20 (with eight providers and 40 residents). Pima Medical provided the education I needed to excel in the medical field. My instructors were there for me every step of the way. If you're considering going back to school, just do it! Choose Pima Medical and you will get the support you need.

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.