WELCOME HOME ALUMNI

I came to PMI after talking to a graduate from the Radiology program who was taking x-rays of my sinuses. His excitement about PMI and what he was doing was so contagious; I went home and told my husband I was going back to school. I had been diagnosed with asthma 6 years earlier, so when I heard about the Respiratory Therapy program, I decided this would be a way to help me take better care of myself. I signed up and joined in a small class with wonderful instructors. I was and still am fascinated with Respiratory Therapy. There are so many things we can do and still have to learn. I graduated from PMI in 1995 and continued my education, obtaining a Bachelor of Science degree in Education and later a Masters in Guidance and Counseling. I worked as a staff therapist, a specialty therapist and provided education within both the Respiratory department and hospital wide. I loved working with students in their clinical rotations and realized education was my passion. PMI had been pursuing me and the timing was finally right in 2002 to come back as an instructor. I have and still am enjoying teaching at PMI. I love the students and the challenges they present. I think we have the best program and I know I have the best people to work with. All of us are interested in the students and in helping them become the best they can be. I keep telling my students that I have the best classes and I love each one dearly. Having fun at your job is rare, but I love what I do and I am so thankful to PMI for the opportunity they've given me to pursue my passion - teaching.

My sister was the one who encouraged me to attend the Veterinary programs at Pima Medical Institute. The instructors were great! My classmates were there because they wanted to learn and that made it helpful. Every part of my experience was awesome! I loved being in the programs and I can't imagine doing anything else. I felt very prepared for my two clinical sites for the Veterinary Assistant (VA) both at a cat shelter and an animal hospital and it was great to be able to apply the things I had learned in my classes. I really wanted to be at a mixed-animal practice - one that sees both dogs/cats as well as large animals - for my Veterinary Technician externship. My instructors worked really hard to find a fit for me and I was placed at Jackpot Veterinary Center, a mixed-animal practice. I learned so much and evidently, they liked me because I never left. I had one week off between my externship and starting my new job as a Veterinary Technician. I really love my job. Every day is different, I mainly work in the area of large animals where we care for goats, sheep, cows and horses. We have a regular schedule but since there are no ERs for large animals, we regularly go on emergency calls. There's often lots of adrenaline dealing with a 1200-pound animal and I've had some crazy experiences, but I love every minute of it. Education is very important to me and someday I would love to get into teaching. Our state allows you to do technician work without being licensed, but I think it's important for people working with animals to know the why and the how, not just the what. I wouldn't be where I am today without Pima Medical. This field has become a great passion of mine!

I was injured while playing soccer in high school and my physical therapist said to me, "I think you'd be a really good physical therapist!" I tucked that away until I was at Texas State University heading toward becoming a nurse when I realized it just wasn't for me. I switched to Exercise Sports Science with a pre-physical therapy emphasis. After graduation, the doctorate physical therapy programs were extremely competitive and I just didn't have the confidence to apply - still a regret. Instead, I reviewed my options and began searching for a Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) program and found Pima Medical Institute. It was a challenging, accelerated 18-month program, but my instructors were super motivating. Although they were hard on us, they gave us all the tools needed to be the best professional clinicians we could be. I was awarded the most "outstanding student" at graduation and offered a job at each of my clinical rotations. I began my therapist journey as a pediatric PTA until I found the place I really loved; working in sports medicine and rehabilitation. During my five plus years in orthopedics, I worked with multiple students as a clinical instructor. This drew my passion for education and I began my journey as a clinical director and instructor back at the same PTA program I'd attended. I tell my students I've been down their same path and I am going to give them everything they need to be a success in their clinical experience. I remind them that I am invested in their success because not only is Pima Medical's reputation on the line, so is mine as a graduate of this program. Pima Medical provided what I needed to become a great therapist and for that I am thankful. I believe I've found my place in education and I am hoping to further my education through the master's degree program in the future.

I'd worked both as a server and in the construction industry, but I knew I wanted more. I saw a post on social media of a graduation ceremony from some high school friends and it caught my attention. I reached out and found they had graduated from Pima Medical Institute, which was surprising as I had driven past it for years not realizing it was a school. However, seeing my friends' successful new careers, I boldly walked in the door one day hoping to find success for myself. Julia, my admission's advisor, became a pivotal figure, guiding me into the Medical Assistant (MA) program. She not only answered all my questions, she believed in my ability to complete the program and enter a new career, despite all my doubts. I had a great experience; Pima Medical's small class sizes, hands on learning and supportive instructors made my educational experience manageable. My graduation date in March of 2020 was the same day our governor shut our state down for COVID. It was a difficult time to be looking for a job, but persistence landed me a position as a Patient Care Technician at UNM's (University of New Mexico) Medical ICU. My MA skills set me apart, allowing me to take on responsibilities beyond my role. Recognized as Employee of the Year in 2022 within the Medical ICU, I've come to appreciate the importance of seizing opportunities, overcoming fears and staying committed to personal and professional growth. Recently, my former ICU supervisor became the Director of Women's Special Care and offered me the opportunity of a new role and I am loving my new job. I'm grateful for Julia and all my instructors for believing in me even when I didn't believe in myself. Going to Pima Medical Institute was a great decision!

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.

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.

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 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.

When I first walked through the doors of Pima Medical Institute, life was a challenge! My husband was out of work, and we, along with our six-month-old baby, were living with his mother. Plus, I had dropped out of school at 5th grade and since my mother wasn't familiar with homeschooling, I taught myself at home through high school. Today, after completing four programs, we own a beautiful home, and our now eight-year-old daughter is thriving. Our lives have completely transformed. I'm a 5th grade dropout with a master's degree - nothing is impossible if you really want it. I began with the nine-month Medical Assistant (MA) program. Balancing full-time work and school was tough-I cried many times on my drive to class-but I never gave up. I was determined to build a better life for my family. That determination drove me to continue my education, earning my associate degree in Health Care Administration (HCA), a Bachelor of Science in Health Care Administration (BSHCA), and eventually a Master of Science in Organizational Leadership (MSOL). Throughout this journey, I've worked and gone to school simultaneously. Thanks to the education and skills I gained at Pima Medical, I've never struggled to find opportunities. In fact, I've had the privilege of being selective about my career path. I've grown from being an MA to a referral coordinator, and now, I'm in my first management position-a role I secured a month before earning my master's degree. Each program at Pima Medical played a crucial role in my career progression. My master's degree, in particular, has been invaluable. As a clinic manager building a new practice from scratch, I've relied on the knowledge I gained every step of the way. Thank you, Pima Medical Institute, for changing my life and helping me achieve my dreams. If only my first instructor, Ms. Lakeeta Garfield, could see me now. So often her words - "Be thorough," have run through my mind. I have strived to be thorough in everything I do and I have been successful.