I chose the Physical Therapist Assistant program because of my own experience as a PT patient. I had both of my hips replaced from trauma that occurred while I was working as an EMT and fire fighter in 2008.
I was in a wheelchair for 3 years and I had to learn how to walk again. I had only been out of my wheelchair for 7 months before I began the Physical Therapist Assistant program at Pima Medical Institute. My education at PMI prepared me to enter the PTA field ready to work. I am now employed at Socorro Physical Therapy, where I completed a seven-week rotation as a student. The Physical Therapist I work for now was my personal Physical Therapist after my surgery.
Since graduating, I work a very full schedule and I also have the opportunity to travel all over the United States to gain more training in my field. I would definitely recommend PMI for people who want to train in the medical field. If you work hard and study hard it will change your life, like it changed mine.
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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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I found myself a single mom, working in corrections, and going nowhere. One day I walked into PMI just to see what my options were and walked out signed up for the Dental Assistant program beginning 2 weeks later. At first I wondered what I had gotten myself into and at times I wanted to give up. But, I had the best instructor and I began to gain an interest. I knew this was going to be something I would learn and possibly love. I was hired at my externship location and then worked for another company before being hired by Pacific Dental Services in 2011. They were impressed with me and my CEREC experience and they gave me a position at their office opening in 3 weeks.
They wanted to fly me to Colorado for training but I was nervous and had never been on an airplane. I just kept reminding myself that I wanted opportunities. The office opening was a huge success and I loved my new team. It wasn't long before they had me assist in setting up new offices and I became a lead. Soon after, they offered me the role of a coach to support offices, assist the back office team members, and support the doctors and the leads. I have experienced so much professional growth in just 6 years with Pacific Dental Services and I know I have more ahead of me. I am currently a Regional Coach for all of New Mexico and help support all 12 of our offices. I have had great career opportunities, I absolutely love my job, and it all started by walking in the door of Pima Medical Institute!
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At age 19 I got a job as a tech in the emergency room. When I decided to further my education, PMI was my first choice. As a student, I felt very prepared for clinical rotations and found I was well respected as a student wearing PMI scrubs in the hospitals. However, it was really only after I graduated and began working that I realized just how amazing my education was - working alongside therapists with 10-35 years experience in the field, I not only kept up but was able to excel.
It wasn't long before I began working with PMI students as a Clinical Instructor and, within a few years, I became a full time PMI Instructor. Teaching for PMI changed my life and has presented me with even more opportunities than I imagined possible. While teaching full time, I completed a Bachelor of Science degree which opened even more doors. After being a full time instructor for the Respiratory Therapy department for 5 years, I was presented with an opportunity to run the very program that I was a product of.
I have now come full circle beginning as a student, later becoming a graduate, eventually teaching full time, and now being a Respiratory Therapy Program Director. This new endeavor has presented me with the ability to lead a department of professionals that I strongly believe in, and as a former student, bring about effective change. If anyone had told me what I'd be doing by the year 2016, I would have never believed it was possible. My journey began with a tour of Pima Medical Institute in 2007, and here I am today, reaping the benefits of deciding to enroll in a program.
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I struggled through high school, served in the military, and was a stay at home mom for 10 years. So, when I started Pima Medical Institute's Nursing program, I was so afraid of failing! I never doubted my capacity to care for others, but I didn't trust my "book smarts". In addition, I felt so much pressure to succeed because of the sacrifices our family made for me to go back to school. We struggled financially and moved into a 24 foot RV with 3 little boys while I was in school. It wasn't easy!
The day after my last class we sold the RV, loaded up the boys, and moved to Washington State. Within 2 weeks I had my first job interview. I nailed the interview and passed the required NCLEX exam on my first try, thanks to the extra help and dedication of my instructors!
I will forever be grateful to PMI and the work they do to help students who may not have gotten the extra time and compassion at a community college to be successful. I am currently an RN2 and have just completed my first year with the Washington State Department of Corrections. I'm making good money, love my job, and every day I have inmates thank me for my compassion. I was very well prepared at PMI for the work I'm doing today. If anyone reading this is interested in the RN program, know that even if you don't completely believe in yourself, the people at PMI will believe in you!
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I had been a Physical Therapist Assistant for 15 years and was very happy with my career choice, but changes in my field prompted me to go back to school. I heard about Pima Medical Institute through a coworker so I reached out. Donna, my admissions advisor, got to know me, listened to my goals and advised me to consider their Bachelor of Science in Health Care Administration. I was 40+ years young with a family and I was working full-time, but the bachelor's program turned out to be a great fit for me. The flexibility of online education allowed me to continue to live my daily life, work and even travel without falling behind. I graduated with a 3.94 GPA and received my degree with high honors.
I was a little unclear about my direction after graduation. But, I remembered what my program director, Donnie Smith, had said after I had completed my project for my capstone. My project involved creating a business plan and he said it was so great; I should explore the idea of pursuing it. So, that's just what I did! I teamed up with two like-minded colleagues and a year later we are the proud owners of a brand new outpatient physical therapy clinic called In Motion Therapy in my hometown of Brooklyn, NY. The BSHCA program at Pima Medical provided me with the tools to achieve my dream.
I want to thank my family, my partners, May and Joe, and the Pima Medical staff and instructors for all their help and support. I would not be where I am today without them. I cannot tell you what it felt like to treat my very first patient in my OWN clinic. I am living my dream!
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My mother had a neuromuscular disease called Myasthenia Gravis, which resulted in her needing to be intubated and trached throughout her life, so I was familiar with respiratory. At age 19, I started my career path in the medical field as a transporter at Sunrise Hospital. As I worked with and observed the Respiratory Therapists (RT), I began to understand the importance of their profession. I knew then, this was the career for me, so I enrolled in Pima Medical Institute's RT program.
I appreciated the support from both administration and instructors and their belief that I could become a productive member of the RT community. My classmates provided support throughout the rigorous program and there was a great camaraderie among us. I remember having study sessions, gatherings, and cookouts in the parking lot with the faculty, staff and students. Having the opportunity to work in professional clinical settings while in school provided the perspective I needed and upon graduation, I was promoted to a full-time Respiratory Therapist at my hospital. I also worked with University Medical Center (UMC). I continued my education in Pima Medical's Bachelor of Science in Respiratory Therapy (BSRT) and then went on to complete my Master's Degree in Business Administration at Columbia Southern University. I am still employed with UMC as their Senior Respiratory Therapist and I have been a Clinical Instructor for Pima Medical Institute's Las Vegas Campus since 2016. My eventual goal is to move into hospital administration becoming a VP or COO.
I am very thankful for Pima Medical Institute. Anything worth having is worth working for, and true education is what you are willing to put into it whether you're at Yale, Harvard or Pima Medical. Therefore, always attempt to set the standard of excellence in everything you do and everything you love.
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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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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.
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After graduating from high school in Rio Rico, I moved to Tucson to attend a community college, but it just wasn't the right place for me. One of my friends had gone to Pima Medical Institute, and after checking out their Medical Assistant (MA) program, I thought-this is perfect! The program was fast, flexible, and had no wasted classes. Since there were options for morning, afternoon or evening classes, I was able to continue working while attending school. At just 19 years of age, I graduated with my certificate and started working in a "grown up job" while most of my friends were still in college. I knew I had made the right choice. I landed a job at Catalina Pediatrics where I worked as an MA for 13 years, eventually becoming the back-office manager.
Wanting more, I considered nursing, but a co-worker suggested I look into Respiratory Therapy (RT). When I found out Pima Medical had an RT program, I knew it was for me. The classes were challenging, but my instructors were supportive, and my classmates and I helped each other through the program. The biggest challenge I faced was during my ICU rotation, when COVID hit and we were sent home. After graduating, I saw a job opening at Banner Main as Program Manager for their Sleep Research Lab. I applied, and got the job! It was a tough first year learning the ins and outs of research, but now I love the responsibility and even the pressure.
If I hadn't gone back to school for RT, I wouldn't be where I am today, with a job I love. My advice? Whether you're 19 or 39, go to school. Pima Medical gave me opportunities I never imagined, and it can do the same for you!
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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!
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My wife, a nurse for 12 years, always encouraged me to join the medical field, but I kept putting it off. I worked as an insurance adjuster, traveling to areas hit by natural disasters, often being gone for 21 days at a time. With young children and older kids involved in activities, I was missing too much. One day, I told my wife I was ready to resign and pursue a medical career at the end of the year. Just a week later, I was let go from my job. We actually laughed at the timing. At the same time, my grandmother began having health problems. Caring for her made me realize the urgency of getting into the medical field-not just for my career, but to better understand her needs. My best friend had gone through Pima Medical's Practical Nursing (PN) program and had encouraged me to join him, but I wasn't ready then. Now, I knew it was the right choice and the right timing.
The PN program was very challenging for me, but I developed a strong small group of classmates who supported me and I had caring instructors who offered extra help. However, when my dear grandmother passed away on Christmas Eve, I was crushed. She had raised me and was my biggest cheerleader and I just wanted to quit. I arranged to meet with my director to withdraw from the program, but she encouraged me to stay. My wife reminded me why I had started the program, and decided to continue. I completed the PN program but still struggling with the loss, I failed my NCLEX exam twice. I felt so defeated, but I knew I couldn't give up. After passing on my third attempt, I drove to Pima Medical to hug my program director and we shared an emotional moment.
I am excited for my new career at the Center at Lowry, a rehabilitation facility where I did clinicals. I can't thank Pima Medical Institute enough; the instructors, especially Director Risner, were amazing and I wouldn't be where I am without them!
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