After 12 years as a dental assistant I knew there was more for me in the dental profession. When I heard PMI was offering a Dental Hygiene program, I jumped at the opportunity! I am a 35 year old parent of two boys and the thought of quitting my job to attend school was quite daunting, but I forged ahead and was committed. The Dental Hygiene program was an accelerated, challenging opportunity and despite the sweat, tears, countless study sessions, long nights of studying and many other sacrifices, I completed the program and became a Board Certified Registered Dental Hygienist!
I appreciated my education at PMI and was continually impressed by the knowledge and willingness of the instructors and administration to ensure my educational success. I was prepared in every way, from classroom, to clinical lab, to my job! After passing my boards, I had three job offers! Since graduation I have been employed in an amazing dental office doing what I love! I am even considering furthering my career goals by attending PMI for a bachelor's degree.
I am so grateful for everything PMI and my instructors have done for me. I was even given a once in a lifetime opportunity to practice my profession on a missionary trip to Africa provided by the CEO of PMI, Mr. Richard Luebke, Jr. PMI truly cares for their students and provides opportunities not available anywhere else. I would definitely recommend PMI to anyone seeking a way to achieve their career goals and make a better life!
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Nathaniel Fisher is a 2018 graduate of the Denver Campus Respiratory Therapy associate degree program and a 2020 graduate of the online Respiratory Therapy Bachelor's Degree program (BSRT)
Q: How did you learn about Pima Medical Institute?
A: I was transitioning out of the army, and had reclassed to 68W for the Colorado national guard. I was working as am EMT-B. Great experiences but struggling to make ends meet. One of my fellow Sergeants in my unit had just graduated from the Denver campus respiratory therapy associate degree program. She basically twisted my arm, and forced me to go sign up for classes. It was one of the best things I ever did in my life. It was challenging but I took to it like a fish to water.
Q: What was your experience like as a student in the Respiratory Therapy program?
A: I had a positive experience in the program and I don't feel like I faced any extraordinary obstacles, but studying and making ends meet were definitely challenging. I worked nights at a gas station and would study while I was working the register. Later, I got a job with a DME company, where I took overnight call. Balancing work, school and studying wasn't always easy, but I was determined to keep moving forward and complete the program.
Q: What would you say is one specific thing you appreciated about your education at Pima Medical Institute?
A: The instructors. They set the standard, showed us the perfect examples, and were an incredible knowledge resource. They really invested into who I was as a student. They turned me from a combat medic to a respiratory therapist. They really helped me find myself in the professional workforce.
Q: Would you recommend Pima Medical Institute? Why?
A: Absolutely. I would recommend Pima Medical Institute to others because it is an incredible institution and truly set me up for success. During my time as a student, I participated in the 2018 CSRC and AARC Sputum Bowls and went on to win both the state and national championships that year. I give Pima Medical Institute a lot of credit for helping prepare me for that success.
Since graduating, I've had the opportunity to build a diverse career in respiratory therapy. I worked in Sterling, Colorado, before taking a flight respiratory therapist position on Saipan in the Mariana Islands. When COVID hit, I returned to the United States and worked in the FEMA ICUs throughout the first year of the pandemic. I later worked in rehabilitation and am now teaching clinicals at local Career College.
Looking back, I feel Pima Medical Institute gave me the education, hands-on experience and confidence I needed to succeed in the profession and opened the door to many different opportunities throughout my career.
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I had served 8 years as a medic in the military. After I got out, I knew I wanted to help people but I had been in combat and had seen enough blood, so I decided to become a Pharmacy Technician. I wasn't sure I could go back to school at my age, but I visited Pima Medical Institute and my admissions advisors I met said, "You can do this!"
I had a good support system with friends and family, but I had lots of doubts about whether I could be successful. The program was fast paced, thorough, and enjoyable, because I got to use my mind again. I had people at PMI who believed in me and that made all the difference.
While I was still on my externship, I was invited to CVS for an interview. They told me the job would be fast paced and they would have a lot of expectations of me, and ultimately they hired me. I just love my job! I really enjoy the customer service part and dealing with people. Pima did a wonderful job preparing me to become a Pharmacy Technician and helping me find a job I love.
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Pima Medical Institute provides a topnotch hands-on educational experience and prepares you for the real world. I believe it's an amazing and worthwhile investment.
I had always been interested in the healthcare industry, but after researching and learning about Respiratory Therapy, I fell in love with the profession. As I looked into schools, Pima Medical Institute just seemed to be the obvious choice, and I had a great experience at their Denver Campus. The instructors were great, there was a team-like atmosphere among my classmates, and I had a job before I even graduated.
I was running a respiratory program for over 30 skilled nursing facilities in the Denver area when I decided to continue my education, so I signed up for PMI's online Health Care Administration bachelor's degree program. I was a little nervous because I wasn't sure how I would be able to handle working full-time and going to school, but I quickly realized that if I was goal-oriented and committed, it really wasn't that difficult. In fact, I found myself looking forward to the next assignment or project, and it turned out to be a great experience. Interestingly, my final project involved walking through the process of developing my own company. As I was completing my assignments, I was literally putting them into practice. I was able to use my project to set up my own independent sleep test company, Elevation Respiratory Care & Diagnostics, which I still own and operate today.
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I wasn't really sure what I wanted to do with my life. I began working as a CNA, and through my experiences in the hospital, I became excited about a possible career in the medical field. I heard a commercial about Pima Medical Institute and decided the quickest way into a career was enrolling in their 9 month Medical Assistant program. That opened the door for me, but I loved learning and knew I wanted more.
My dad passed away in 2015 from a drowning incident and that experience pushed me toward the respiratory therapy field. Through that incident I was able to observe the amazing work that respiratory therapists do and I said to myself, "I want to be one of them". One year after completing the MA program, I started Pima Medical's Respiratory Therapy program and I loved every moment of it! The program was challenging, but our classes were small and I connected with my classmates. We developed an almost family-type relationship. I loved my instructors; they really wanted us to succeed.
After completing my clinical experience, I was hired at St Anthony North Medical Health Center in Westminster, CO. I love my job! Recently, I have been working in the COVID ICU. I help intubate, manage ventilators and endotracheal tubes and give breathing treatments to those struggling to breath. I feel like I have found my calling.
I love Pima Medical. They did so much for me. Down the road I hope to continue my education by getting my bachelor's degree and possibly even obtaining my master's degree in the respiratory field.
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I received my Medical Assistant (MA) certificate from Pima Medical Institute's Renton Campus back in 2007. I was a high school dropout at age 16. A few years later, I was working at a grocery store and felt like I wasn't going anywhere. I found Pima Medical through a coworker who was attending and since my mom had been an MA and I felt I had disappointed my parents, I signed up.
I did not stay in medical assisting, but I used my education from Pima Medical to further my career in the healthcare field on the administration side of things. Over 14 years I have worked at a number of healthcare facilities, including Neurology, Ear, Nose, and Throat, and Facial Plastic Surgery.
In 2020 I received an alumni email from Pima Medical Institute which prompted me to continue my education in their online Health Care Administration program. I've just completed my associate degree and am enrolled in the bachelor's program with the goal of continuing on to the master's program.
I work full time at my dream job where I help teach providers how to use function medicine in their clinics. Recently, as a result of completing my associate degree, I received the promotion I have been waiting for as the Senior Production Specialist. I am so thankful for Pima Medical, I would not be where I am today without their help. My online classes taught me exactly what I needed to be successful in my current job. All of my instructors helped me get through this year; they were always available when I had questions and made the process extremely smooth and comfortable.
Pima Medical gave me an amazing career in the medical field and I can't wait to see what my future holds!
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My daughter is a neonatal nurse and an associate director at Banner Hospital. I've always said I wanted to be just like her when I grew up!
I was just 16 years old when I had my daughter and spent the next 32 years working in the grocery industry while raising my kids. It wasn't until last year when my sister passed away that I experienced firsthand just how short life can be. I decided to take that tragedy and do something positive with it. My sister had always told me I could do anything and was smarter than I thought, so I decided to be like my daughter and obtain a career in the medical field.
My daughter had originally attended Pima Medical Institute for her CNA, so I boldly made the call and set up an appointment. Coming in as a 56-year-old mother who hadn't had any education since getting my GED in 1989, was intimidating. But from the person who welcomed me in the lobby, to the admissions advisor and then my instructors - everyone was kind and encouraging. I loved my instructors and I learned so much from them. It was a wonderful experience and it empowered me. I feel like I can do anything!
I thought it would be fun to work with babies and young parents, so I pursued and obtained a position working in the neonatal intensive care unit at Banner Health. My plan is to absorb as much information as I can and then continue my education. This is such an open field with so many opportunities.
I'm so thankful for my new career and everyone at Pima Medical. You can do anything you set your mind to and you're never too old to take the risk to start over!
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I had an amazing experience in the Medical Assistant (MA) program at Pima Medical Institute. I had the best instructors and, as we spent time studying together, my classmates became amazing friends. I had always known I wanted to be in a profession where I could help people and I wanted to work with children. My older sister had completed the Veterinary Technician (VT) program at Pima Medical, so I knew it was a school I could trust and enrolled in the MA program.
I appreciated all the knowledge and information they gave us about working in the real world. The hands-on experience helped us feel prepared for our new career. Since graduating in 2018 I have worked for three clinics or organizations as an MA and have gained experience in family practice, OB/GYN and specialty clinics and have learned so much!
I love my job! Every day is different and I am constantly learning new things. I am so very grateful for my instructors at Pima Medical for helping me to be able to achieve my dream job. I love what I do and I am so grateful I took the leap to enroll in the Medical Assistant (MA) program.
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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.
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After high school, I spent four years juggling two jobs-one at Office Max and the other at a bakery-when one day, my aunt called and asked if I wanted to go back to school with her. I had no idea what she meant, but I agreed. That's how I found Pima Medical Institute. I chose the Medical Assistant (MA) program because, when my dad was ill, I saw firsthand the impact healthcare professionals can have on a person's life. I wanted to do that too, and the program was only nine months long, which made it a perfect fit for me.
I loved every minute of the MA program! The hands-on training felt so different from high school, and I found myself excited to learn. In particular, I discovered I had a passion for injections and blood draws. When it was time for my externship, I was nervous, but my head MA was incredibly supportive, and I quickly found that it all came naturally to me.
Toward the end of the program our homework assignment was to apply for three MA positions. Afterwards, I didn't think much about it, but to my surprise, Saguaro Dermatology called and hired me. Dermatology is fast-paced and challenging, but I love it. My favorite part is working with skin cancers and assisting in surgeries. I also enjoy my role in the lab, processing tissue samples as a histotech.
Since relocating to Tucson, I easily found another dermatology position, and I couldn't be happier. Pima Medical set me on a path I'm truly passionate about, and I'd do it all over again. If you're thinking about a medical career, don't hesitate-come to Pima Medical. You won't regret it!
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I wanted to be a Radiologic Technologist and Pima Medical Institute offered a fantastic radiography program with great reviews. My friend who mentored x-ray students at the hospital she worked at offered me the best advice: "choose Pima Medical Institute!"
I had a smooth learning experience as all the teachers wanted the students to succeed and to excel in the medical field. I took advantage of Arizona grants to help me pay for schooling and the financial officer guided me through that with ease. At Pima Medical Institute, I was taught to put myself out there, whether it's stepping into a learning opportunity or jumping in to help a teammate. Seven years later, that lesson has stayed with me, and it's something my coworkers continue to notice.
Pima Medical Institute offered a job fair where I met multiple companies interested in new grads, so I started at SimonMed. I worked for an orthopedic doctor for six years in x-ray, then I furthered my learning through an online program to train in MRI, which is what I'm doing now at a children's hospital.
I would recommend the school 100%! I have told people over the years not to put themselves on a waitlist for other schools and instead go to Pima Medical Institute! I had the best experience there and I felt like the teachers really cared for their students.
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With 20 years in imaging, I knew I needed a degree that carried weight. I chose Pima Medical Institute in 2012 because their Bachelor of Science in Radiologic Sciences program is designed for technologists who are serious about their future. It turned my years of on-the-job knowledge into a professional foundation that continues to serve me every day in CT and radiologic technology.
Returning to school after years in the field was intimidating, and my biggest obstacle was simply finding the rhythm of academic life again. But the support system at Pima Medical was incredible. I wasn't just a number; I was a professional working toward a goal. Overcoming the challenge of juggling 40-plus hour work weeks with my studies gave me a sense of pride that was just as rewarding as the degree itself.
As someone working in CT, having that deeper academic understanding of cross-sectional anatomy was a game-changer. It moved me from just following protocols to truly understanding the "why" behind the pathology I was seeing on my screen. Pima Medical Institute didn't just teach me how to operate the machinery; they prepared me to be a critical thinker in a high-stakes environment.
I was already established in my career in Hanford, California, when I decided to pursue my bachelor's degree. I maintained my full-time position while completing the online program, which allowed me to apply what I was learning in real time. That decision recently paid off in a huge way: I applied for a Clinical Coordinator position, and having my degree was the key credential that qualified me for the role.
Beyond the career advancement, I am incredibly honored to share that I was recently invited to serve on the Pima Medical Institute Advisory Board. It is a privilege to return to my alma mater in this capacity and contribute to the future of the Radiography program. Being able to offer my 20 years of experience to help shape the next generation of technologists is a highlight of my career.
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