WELCOME HOME ALUMNI

Which program did you complete and what made you decide to continue your education online? I started with the Associate of Applied Science in Health Care Administration and later moved on to the Bachelor of Science in Health Care Administration. What made you choose PMI's program? I chose to take advantage of PMI's online program for a couple of reasons. Although I had many years of experience working in the medical field and was a certified Medical Assistant and Surgical Technician, I did not have a formal education on how to manage and run a medical practice. The other reason was to benefit my students. As an instructor, it is hard to advise students and promote an online education if you have not taken the online courses yourself. What was it like to manage a full-time position and your course load? Managing a full-time position and the course load was not very difficult; however it did take some planning. When attending classes on a campus you will have a class at a specific time daily, however, online courses are not like this. While there are specific due dates and times for assignments to be submitted, you are able to work on this material on your own schedule. The key is to create a schedule for yourself in order to be successful. Did you feel like the coursework was practical for your profession? The coursework was absolutely practical for the medical professionals. Every course that I have taken online with PMI has made me a better leader and professional in the medical field. The Associates of Applied Science in Health Care Administration and Bachelor of Science in Health Care Administration programs are packed full of courses that are beneficial in educating people on how to run and manage any type of medical practice. These are only a few of the many essential skills I have acquired through this online program. Would you encourage others to continue their education and would you recommend this program? I would encourage anyone that wants a leadership role in the medical field to continue their education with these programs, even if they do not see themselves as an office manager. The programs can prepare anyone for leadership within specific departments and can improve anyone's resume so they can obtain their dream job.

I have a bachelor's degree in Health Management Policy and have worked in several area hospitals as an analyst, doing financial billing and credentialing work. While I enjoyed working in the healthcare field, I struggled with the day to day work and felt unfulfilled. I was first introduced to the possibility of a new career at an outpatient clinic where I spied a lady holding a big red ball. I followed her, asked her what she did for a living and she told me she was a Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA). Struck with curiosity, I researched schools and found Pima Medical Institute's PTA program. I had some hesitancy, but seized the opportunity and it turned out to be a game changer that provided more opportunities than I could have dreamed of. The PTA program was rigorous but relevant. Instructors were passionate about the curriculum and regularly went above and beyond. I worked hard throughout the program and eventually received the PTA accolade award at the end of the program. I have contributed to a national PT study and have had the opportunity to work as a stand in director of rehabilitation. I'm very appreciative of the education I received at Pima Medical. This experience really opened my eyes to a meaningful career as a Physical Therapist Assistant. I tell young people all the time to get a skill that's practical and pursue a career that makes them happy. I was pleasantly surprised with my education at Pima Medical. I am thankful every day that I went to Pima Medical and am now a lifelong advocate for vocational healthcare education.

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 was born with asthma and my grandfather had emphysema so I've always known about respiratory. In fact, I was in and out of the hospital most of my childhood as a result of my asthma. When I decided to get my education, I reached out to Pima Medical Institute and their program director encouraged me to shadow a respiratory therapist for a 12-hour shift. I took her advice and fell in love and knew then respiratory was my calling. I really appreciated the small class size at Pima Medical. I had excellent instructions and they all had an open-door policy, were available if you were struggling, and never made you feel stupid. After graduation, I initially worked at a PFT (pulmonary function test) lab and later was hired at Oro Valley Hospital. After 7 years my husband and I moved to Virginia where I obtained a position here at St Francis Medical Center. I've been the Lead Respiratory Therapist for the past year and was recently promoted to a Manager position. Although I journeyed through COVID as a pregnant respiratory therapist, I never worried for my own safety. My department protected me and I spent most of the time working in the NICU rather than with COVID patients. I'm currently writing a paper for my bachelor's degree on the mental health of health care workers. COVID showed us that we have dropped the ball in the area of mental health. I am currently managing 20 respiratory therapists, many who are travelers, and I want to learn to ask the right questions and provide care for those who may be struggling. I'm grateful for the educational foundation I received at Pima Medical that has brought me to this point in my career.

I have found a career that I love as a Medical Lab Technician! I'd attempted to find my place in the medical field once before, attending a Dental Assistant program, but it just wasn't for me. I just didn't enjoy interacting with patients. After being a stay-at-home mom for about 10 years, I returned to Pima Medical Institute, learned they had started a Medical Lab Technician (MLT) program and knew this was the program and the career for me. I chose Pima Medical because I knew how hands-on they were. Unfortunately, shortly after starting the program, the pandemic hit resulting in us having to go to online learning. But, our instructors worked really hard to get us into the lab in small groups to practice during COVID. During my program I found out I had a brain tumor requiring surgery. The instructors were very helpful and supportive during my treatment and I was able to continue my program. I am a veteran so I did my clinicals at the VA Hospital in Cheyenne, WY. It was challenging staying in Cheyenne during the week and driving back for week-ends, but I did it! I landed an MLT job at Centura Health's Penrose Hospital shortly after graduation and I love it! There is no typical day; every day is different and I learn something new almost every day. I plan to do this job until I can't do it anymore. I am preparing to start my bachelor's degree in Medical Laboratory Science. This will set me up to get my MLS certification, providing a pay increase and an opportunity for a lead position. I would definitely recommend Pima Medical's MLT program. If you like solving puzzles, this is a great career for you!

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 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!

I knew since I was a child that I wanted to be in the medical field. When it came time for me to graduate from high school, I wasn't interested in a four-year college or university because I just wanted to jump right into the workforce as soon as possible and begin my career in the medical field. After explaining this to my gramma, she recommended Pima Medical Institute. We visited together and took a tour; I knew then that the nine-month Medical Assistant (MA) program was the best fit for me. My experience as a student was amazing! The MA program is an accelerated program and while you're learning lots of information in a short time, the hands-on practice helps you apply your skills and prepares you for the profession. All the nerves, tears and anxiousness were so worth it. I was so well prepared for my six-week externship that I was offered a position as an MA upon completion. I am still employed there and I recently began going back to school to obtain my associates in Nursing with plans to continue on to get my bachelor's (BSN) degree. I want to say thank you to every single one of my instructors. Pima Medical changed my life, and I will always be grateful for the education I received, the lifelong relationships I built with my instructors and classmates, and the lasting career it has given me.

I grew up in an unsupportive environment, constantly reminded of my limitations. After dabbling in community college and an unfinished nursing program, I found myself divorced with two young children, wondering what I could do to provide for my family. That's when I discovered Pima Medical Institute and enrolled in the Medical Secretary program. Within three months, I graduated and landed a job in the medical field, giving me the stability I desperately needed. After moving to Las Vegas, I continued to grow my career-first as an office manager and later doing billing. One day, I learned that Pima Medical was launching a Respiratory Therapy program. I jumped at the chance to enroll, excited to take my career to the next level. Balancing school, work, and motherhood was tough. My kids and I would do homework together, and I showed them it's never too late to change your path. After graduating, I was hired at Summerlin Hospital, where I worked for 14 years. Watching the devastation in New York, when the pandemic hit in 2020, I knew I had to step up and help. I was hired as a traveler at New York Presbyterian Cornell, one of the top hospitals in the country. It was intense-over 230 patients on ventilators when I arrived -but I learned and grew through it all. While on the frontlines, I was also pursuing my Bachelor of Science in Respiratory Therapy through Pima Medical. I faced moments of doubt, but with the support of my program director, I pushed through. My son and I graduated with our bachelor's degrees in the same year-a moment of immense pride for my family. I now work for the Nevada Donor Network, a new and upcoming field for RT's, turning tragedy into hope through organ donation. I feel a deep sense of purpose, knowing that I help give families a second chance. Thanks to Pima Medical, I've built a career that I love, and I'll never stop learning or growing.