I always loved animals and it's been my goal to have a career working with them. I was so impressed when I took a tour at Pima Medical Institute, because there were animals everywhere. I chose this school because I knew their emphasis was going to be hands on versus just reading a book. Plus, their class schedule allowed me to continue to work and support myself while going to school.
Everyone at PMI knew all of us by name and if we ever had an issue, there was always someone willing to help and guide us. I felt knowledgeable and very prepared for every topic on the Veterinary Technician National Examination and I passed it on the first try!
I was hired immediately after graduation at the location of one of my externships and I really enjoy my job. I would like to thank everyone for all of their help and support. Down the road, I'd like to continue learning and possibly become a technologist
specializing in behavior issues. But for now, I'm just excited to work in my new career. Thanks PMI!
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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 am a single father of four children. I came to Pima Medical Institute looking for a way to support my children and to do something that I could be proud of. I decided I wanted a career in the dental field, so I signed up for PMI's Dental Assistant program. While enrolled in the program, I held down a job, took care of my four children by myself, and maintained a 4.0 GPA. I did my externship at Longo and Associates General Dentistry. I am 40 years old and when I came to PMI, I was missing one of my front teeth. Dr. Longo gave me two gifts; a new front tooth and a job.
I was told I was hired because of my skills, a strong work ethic and my kindness to patients and fellow employees. I am just about to celebrate my first anniversary at the Dr. Longo's dental office and I am proud to be able to support my children and to have a career that makes me feel proud. I am so thankful to Pima Medical Institute for helping me to achieve both my career and family goals. It has changed my life!
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I had been in retail pharmacy management for a number of years and needed to make a career change. I went to Pima Medical Institute and the information I received about the Respiratory Therapy program was very appealing. I learned that my background in pharmacy combined with an education in respiratory would open many career paths for me. My experience as a student with PMI was great! It was very clear that everyone from the administration to the instructors really cared about me and my classmates.They wanted to see us succeed. To this day, I still maintain a working relationship with my instructors who supported me while I was a student.
During clinical rotations I worked in an acute care hospital. I was very interested in being in this type of healthcare setting and obtained a job at St. Joseph's Hospital. Five years later, I manage a staff of over 50 respiratory therapists. I serve on PMI's advisory board and I am currently the president elect for the Arizona State Society for Respiratory Care board. My education at PMI really helped launch my career from being a knowledgeable clinician into a leader of other clinicians. I feel all of the opportunities I have been afforded have come from my baseline education I received from PMI
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Pima Medical Institute was a great place for me. I was going through chaos in my personal life, but I wanted something more and I didn't want to be a statistic. The instructors there see your struggles and your desires and they push you and care for you in a way that enables you to be successful.
I always had the dream of becoming a veterinarian but life got in the way. I started the Veterinary Assistant program at Pima Medical as a single mom with 7-month-old twins. The evening program worked perfectly for me and I liked that the instructors set clear expectations and then helped us meet them. I started the Veterinary Technician (VT) program in 2015 but due to personal struggles, I had to drop out. I would often call and try and re-enroll, but each time something stood in the way. Finally, in 2018 my program director, Ms. V., agreed to give me another chance. I entered the program pregnant but determined to give it my all. My instructors were great and Ms. V. even visited me in the hospital when I had my baby and helped me through my many struggles. I had never even ridden a horse before, but I found a passion I didn't know I had during our equine class. I was placed at an equine specialty clinic for my externship and I loved my time there!
I've also been offered a position at another clinic, but am waiting and hoping to get an official job offer from the equine clinic. I cried the last day of my externship because I did it!! It felt so good to complete something. I have an associate's degree even though many thought I'd never finish high school, and I have a career that will enable me to provide for my children.
I don't have the words to adequately thank Pima Medical and my instructors, especially Ms. V. She pushed me, encouraged me, never judged me and never gave me special treatment. She believed in me and I did it!
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My mom is an instructor at Pima Medical Institute and she highly encouraged me to go into the medical field. Contrary to her advice, I spent many years working as a server in a restaurant and attending a local university. When I got really tired of working as a server, I decided to enroll in Pima Medical's three-month Phlebotomy program. I figured at the very least, I'd have a job to fall back on. It was a bit of an adjustment, but I loved my experience. At the university you're pretty much on your own. At Pima Medical the amount of support you get, whether its financial aid or help from instructors, is amazing!
I got a great job as a phlebotomist at UMC (University Medical Center of El Paso), a level one trauma center. I've gotten experience in all different areas of the hospital but mainly was assigned to the ER. I was well prepared, but when I stepped into that hospital I felt like I walked into a whole different world. I had to learn how to speak to doctors and nurses without being intimidated and I learned to deal with patients, including those who were inebriated or with dementia. Nothing can quite prepare you for this, but I love my job!
One day while in a room of a 19-year-old patient with a traumatic brain injury, I got a glimpse of what it's like to be an Occupational Therapy Assistant. I saw and heard the passion of this OTA as the patient was finally able to move their hand. I began researching and learned about all the different opportunities there are in the field of Occupational Therapy and decided to pursue a new career. Shortly after, I enrolled in Pima Medical's two year OTA program and I can say that after just three months, I love it! My mom always told me I belonged in the medical field. She used to say, "It takes a special kind of heart to work in the medical field. Those people are walking angels here on earth and they are healers!" My mom was right!
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I was a stay at home mom for 18 years. When my oldest child headed to college I felt like I had lost my identity and purpose, but I just wasn't sure what I wanted to do. I knew I didn't want to be behind a desk and I enjoyed being on my feet and using my hands. So when I saw the commercial for the Dental Assisting Program and Pima Medical Institute, I decided it might be a fit for me.
It was somewhat intimidating going back to school when I was the oldest student in the class and it was certainly challenging having homework again while balancing family and home life. But, my instructor was helpful and cheered me on.
I felt very prepared, although extremely nervous, for my hands on externship experience. But I learned so much and it helped me understand that I really wanted to work in a specialty area of dentistry. I was initially hired at a general practice but soon found the place I really belonged; a periodontist office. I absolutely love it! I enjoy meeting and getting to know my patients. I have great coworkers and wonderful doctors who continue to teach me about their specialty. I love it all and am so happy!
Pima Medical has been so good in helping me go from "what's my purpose?" to "this is where I should be!" Finding that out and being happy where I am has been everything. It has done so much for me! Plus, my kids are really proud of me.
I love the patients!
It's different every day!
It's a lot of fun.
I love it! I'm so glad I did this!
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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!
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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 story is a bit unique in the way I came to Pima Medical Institute. I was in the Nursing Assistant (CNA) program at Brightwood College in 2018 when it suddenly closed its doors. Pima Medical was willing to take those displaced students, so without other options I decided to give it a go. Since Pima Medical didn't have a CNA program, I chose their Medical Assistant (MA) program.
My experience at Pima Medical was exceptional! I had great instructors and I felt like I got a fantastic education. One specific thing I really appreciated about the curriculum was that we were able to learn all different aspects of the roles of our profession. For example, although I've never worked as a front office MA, I was able to learn those roles and understand their responsibilities as well.
Two days after finishing my program, I was on a plane moving to Colorado. I began applying for jobs as soon as I got settled and had no trouble finding a position. I was hired as an MA at Pueblo Community Health Center where I will soon be celebrating five years. Currently, I am also completing prerequisites so I can go back to school to achieve my dream of becoming an RN.
Pima Medical Institute has great programs and amazing instructors! I would highly recommend them to anyone wanting a career in the medical field. If their location here in Colorado offered an RN program, I would already be signed up. I appreciate everything all of my instructors did for me and I wouldn't be where I am without them.
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When I first started my journey in health care, I was on track to become a nurse. After working as a phlebotomist for three years, I quit my job focusing on finishing the last few prerequisites for nursing school. However, life had other plans. I got pregnant with my now four-year-old daughter and took a year and a half off to spend time with her. In 2020, I began to reconsider my career path. I realized that the clinical side of healthcare was no longer my passion; instead, I was drawn to the administration and business side. After researching various degrees, I chose the online Health Care Administration (HCA) associate and bachelor's programs at Pima Medical Institute.
My experience at Pima Medical was incredible. Both programs' flexibility and the support from instructors and advisors were exceptional. They fit perfectly into my busy life as a full-time employee, wife and mother. The instructors were always available and willing to assist with anything I needed. The resources provided to students, from class scheduling to financial guidance, made everything so manageable. Upon completion of my bachelor's degree, I found a position as a Program Administrator at Baylor University Medical Center in Texas, managing the OBGYN, Hematology/Oncology, and Mechanical Circulatory Support programs and residents. I am currently working full-time and exploring graduate programs for Health Care Administration and Business Administration. My future goals include becoming certified in health care emergency management to effectively plan and respond to emergencies.
Thank you, Pima Medical Institute, for your guidance and support. Completing my degrees with you has been a wonderful experience, allowing me to achieve goals I never thought possible.
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I was looking for a change from my previous jobs in food service and explored various community colleges in Seattle. After considering culinary arts, I decided to pursue a healthcare career where I knew jobs were more in demand. I chose Pima Medical Institute because the stories from previous graduates resonated with me. They were just like me, seeking change and career advancement. Despite having no prior knowledge or experience in pharmacy, I chose the Pharmacy Technician program to challenge myself.
My experience at Pima Medical was fun and engaging. The courses, from Career Prep to the Pharmacy Technician classes, were well planned. I learned everything I needed to succeed. The biggest challenge was balancing homework and projects with a full-time job, but it was worth it. The support from the staff at Pima's Renton campus was invaluable. The admissions and financial aid advisors helped me with my FAFSA, easing my financial worries. My Career Prep instructor made learning exciting and engaging. The staff provided support and organized stress-relieving activities like the Halloween costume contest. My instructor imparted all the pharmacy knowledge I needed and now apply daily in my work.
Since graduating from Pima Medical in 2018, I worked at ReadyMeds for nearly four years and I've spent the last several years working as a Specialty Pharmacy Technician at Kaiser Permanente of Washington. I highly recommend Pima Medical Institute for the support and programs they offer to help you achieve your goals and succeed in your career. Now I'm one of those graduates sharing my story to inspire others!
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