I graduated from ASU with a degree in nutrition and applied to physical therapy school too late and didn't get in. My husband and I sat down and researched the physical therapy field and decided PMI's PTA program might be the best fit for me. When I called, the lady on the phone said, "We're going to make all your dreams come true!" and I looked at the phone and thought - she's crazy! But, I met with an advisor and started 2 weeks later. They tell you it is an accelerated program and it certainly is. The instructors were amazing and they inspired me to do more. I became very involved with my profession; PTA Co-Chair for the PTA Special Interest Group within our Arizona Chapter and helping start what is now our annual "TRYke It" event for adults with disabilities.
I remember being nervous walking into my first clinical. But, in this neurology setting I was able to witness a stroke patient or a traumatic brain injury patient make progress on things that we often take for granted and that was just simply MAGICAL! My passion for neurology PT grew from just two weeks in that setting and I accepted a position there after graduation. I also gained valuable experience working in pediatric aquatic therapy and hippo therapy with adults and children with disabilities. After some years in the field, I was offered an opportunity to come back to PMI as an instructor. I believe it gives me an advantage having recently sat in those same student chairs and my ability to relate to my students on that same level. I am happy to have come full-circle at PMI and my dreams far exceeded my expectations and continue to come true! My instructors did an incredible job preparing me for my profession and I hope to have the same influence on my students!
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I was born and raised in Bisbee, Arizona, and I'm proud to be a first-generation college student. My interest in radiology began in fourth grade after a broken wrist landed me in the ER. I was fascinated by the X-ray process, and that moment never left me.
After high school, I shadowed in the radiology department at a local hospital where my mother worked and decided to apply at Pima Medial Institute. I didn't get in the first time, but I gained more experience, took classes and eventually reapplied after COVID. I was accepted! And that changed everything.
The program was tough, especially being far from home and dealing with personal loss. But I was never alone. Kristen Miller, Jolene Pobrislo and Jeff Botkin supported me every step of the way. They believed in me, and I always knew I could reach out for help.
Today, I work as a radiologic technologist performing X-rays and bone density scans. I hope to add Computed Tomography (CT) to my credentials and grow into a hospital role. Pima Medical gave me the knowledge, confidence and care to make my dreams possible. And now, I get to show my grandparents every day that their sacrifices were worth it.
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I had a great time at PMI! I met new people and I learned so much. I graduated with honors and demonstrated that there are no boundaries that can hold me back when it comes to my goals. I am currently working at Arizona Podiatry Associates. I have used the skills that I learned at PMI, and I am looking forward to becoming the office manager. I have learned billing, surgery scheduling and much, much more. I recently enrolled in PMI's Health Care Administration Online Program. It will put me just one step closer to my long term goal of becoming a doctor.
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I was working at a hotel doing everything from the front desk to working in the restaurant. I was tired of working the long hours and didn't really see any future for myself. I heard an advertisement for Pima Medical Institute on the radio and decided to give it a try. I wasn't sure what career I was looking for, so I chose one of their shorter programs, Medical Administrative Assistant, and thought I'd see where it took me.
I had a great experience in the program. I was a little nervous and wasn't sure what to expect when I began my externship assignment at a real doctor's office. But, I did well and, in fact, am currently working at that same office 10 years later. After a time, I decided I wanted a little more hands on and more interaction with the patients, so I went back to PMI and enrolled in their Medical Assistant program.
One of things I really enjoy about my current job is supervising PMI students who come to us on their externships. I remember what it was like to be in their shoes, so I only introduce one new thing at a time. I remember feeling so overwhelmed with tasks and information. The students come to us well trained and they take initiative, and that's the kind of person I enjoy training. Recently, PMI invited me to be part of their advisory board and I'm excited to give back and help them out. My instructors were great and I really enjoyed my time at PMI. If you are looking for an opportunity to take care of people and solve problems, this is a great career field for you!
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I was a practicing massage therapist for several years before deciding to pursue a career as a Physical Therapist Assistant. I've always loved helping people manage their pain, but was frustrated I couldn't do more. After some diligent research, I took a tour of Pima Medical Institute of Las Vegas and I knew without a doubt I wanted to be part of their community.
The instructors were amazing! They addressed the needs of every single individual and were able to utilize different teaching styles in order to keep our class engaged. I appreciated the real life expectations our instructors gave us of the profession and know it helped prepare us for our first job. The camaraderie of my classmates also really enhanced my experience. We were truly a family and helped each other through the program. I currently work at Advanced Healthcare of Las Vegas, a skilled nursing facility, where I was sent to for my final clinical internship while at PMI. I remember being hesitant about the setting but after the first couple of days of my internship, I adored it.
Our PMI instructors provided us with a strong foundation and a thirst for knowledge to keep moving forward. I have recommended this program, and in fact, my husband, my brother, and my best friend are now also graduates of the PTA program at Pima Medical Institute. Thanks PMI!
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In high school, I saw a pamphlet about PMI but I wasn't sure what I wanted. My mom pushed me to become a Medical Assistant, but it just wasn't a good fit for me. One day while walking by a classroom, I saw a diagram listing drugs, their generic name, and their actions. It caught my attention and interest. After researching, I decided to enroll in the Pharmacy Technician program. It just clicked with me and I found my new passion. One of the things I loved about Pima Medical was the special bond formed with classmates. We shared information as we studied and then shared new discoveries with our instructors. We developed a great connection.
I now work at the AIDs Healthcare Foundation. As a team of pharmacists and technicians, we examine patient records and check for contraindications. I even had the opportunity to go into areas in the community and promote our pharmacy and the services we offered. Pima Medical gave me a great base knowledge about drugs and taught me how to continue learning as I moved into a very specialized area.
When I heard there was an instructor position at PMI, I jumped at it. I love teaching and getting my students engaged. Often I will say to them, "Let's learn this together!" Pima provided a great starting point and opened so many doors for me. Down the road, I definitely want to become a pharmacist and my ultimate dream is to specialize in HIV pharmacy.
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These 3 sisters are from a family of 8 children. Jennifer started the Pima Medical Institute tradition. After completing a bachelor's degree and still not being able to determine a career path, a friend recommended she look into Pima Medical Institute. Jennifer chose the Radiography program because she'd had a number of injuries and experienced x-rays in the past. Julianne followed her to Pima Medical. After considering another program, she also decided on Radiography and the girls attended the program together. It made for some competition between the two sisters, but also gave them a built in study partner. Both Jennifer and Julianne say they had great instructors, made great friends, and enjoyed working together toward a common goal. Julianne says she recommends Pima Medical to everyone!
Jessica watched her sisters finish a quick program and get steady jobs. She saw not only their successful careers, but their financial reward, and decided she wanted that for herself. So she enrolled in the Radiography program at Pima Medical. She found out she was expecting while in the program, gave birth and was back in school a week later. She says her daughter Marley is her main motivator and she will be graduating in 2020.
The girls love the variety of opportunities the field of radiography offers. Jennifer currently works the night shift at a hospital as an x-ray technologist and is also the OR supervisor. She loves the fast paced variety and trauma aspect. Julianne obtained a position as an x-ray technologist at another hospital and is starting school for MRI. Jessica has been enjoying her clinical experience and looks forward to a job in the field after graduation. All three girls love the radiography field and feel so grateful for their education at Pima Medical Institute.
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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.
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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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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.
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My journey into healthcare wasn't planned. During my senior year of high school, I was preparing to study engineering when my dad passed away. It was a tough time, and I decided to take a break. My mom, a nurse, suggested I become a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA), so I completed an accelerated program and started working at Silver Hills Healthcare Center in Las Vegas. I never imagined a career in long-term care, but I excelled as a CNA and was promoted to rehab aide. One day my regional director, who saw potential in me, signed me up for an informational seminar at Pima Medical Institute for the Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) program. I attended, was intrigued, and decided to enroll.
Balancing school and work wasn't easy, but Pima Medical made it possible. I worked flexible hours, attended classes and studied late into the evenings. The instructors were experienced, and the small class sizes made learning enjoyable. When I took the national licensing exam, I achieved one of the highest scores my instructor had ever seen. After working in the field, I wanted to grow my career even more, so I enrolled in Pima Medical's online Bachelor of Science in Health Care Administration (BSHCA) program. Today, I'm an Assistant Administrator at Alta Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation, finishing my Administrator in Training program. Soon, I'll sit for the licensing exam to become a Licensed Nursing Home Administrator, and my ultimate goal is to own a skilled nursing facility.
Pima Medical gave me the tools and confidence to succeed. Their programs may cost a bit more, but they are efficient and effective with no prerequisites. I received a quality education at Pima Medical and I'm proud to be a graduate!
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I had been working at a grocery store for 12 years when I decided it was time for a change. I hadn't been in school in a very long time and wasn't quite ready to commit to a four-year university. When I found Pima Medical Institute, it felt like the right fit for me in my stage of life. I chose the nine-month Medical Assistant (MA) program because I viewed it as a great stepping stone into a career in the medical field.
I really enjoyed my time at Pima Medical. It was exciting to be in a learning environment surrounded by students who were all motivated to succeed. My biggest challenge was balancing full-time work with evening classes while still finding time to study. It wasn't easy, but I did it! The thing I appreciated most about Pima Medical was the genuine commitment to student success. There was always help available whenever I had questions or needed support. Because of that, I walked out of the program feeling prepared and confident in my new profession.
Upon graduation, I quickly found a job and began working as a Medical Assistant with Providence in family practice, where I stayed for six years. Currently, I work for Optum Primary Care, continuing my career in family medicine. While at Providence, I had the opportunity to be a preceptor in the apprentice program, and I hope to take on that role again at Optum in the future. Educating and mentoring others is a passion of mine, and I look forward to continuing to make a difference in the field of healthcare.
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