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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Q: How did you learn about Pima Medical Institute?
A: I started out as a 20-year-old looking for a job that could get me out of being a waitress. I found Pima Medical Institute and was very interested in the pharmacy technician program. I started the program in 2010 and graduated in 2011. I was a pharmacy technician from 2011 to 2022. In 2019, I decided to go for my bachelor's degree in health care administration. From then I found a position in 2022 as a product manager/business analyst and continue to be a certified pharmacy technician. The bachelor's degree program helped me in my current career and it also helped me pursue my master's degree in information systems at the University of Denver.
Q: What was your experience like as a student in the Pharmacy Technician and Bachelor of Science in Health Care Administration programs?
A: When I was a student in the pharmacy technician program at Pima Medical Institute, I was on campus and it was a great experience. Overall, I was able to socialize with those who were also interested in being a pharmacy technician. It was very nice to be in the classroom and have hands-on experience during that time. When I decided to go for my bachelor's degree, I was online full-time and it had everything that I needed to pursue my degree. It was a great experience as well because I was able to still manage my full-time job and also gain the experience I needed to pursue another position as a product manager/business analyst in 2022.
Q: What would you say is one specific thing you appreciated about your education at Pima Medical Institute?
A: One thing I would say that I appreciated about the education at Pima Medical Institute was how it prepared me for my pharmacy technician experience. I really liked the fact that I had an externship for it so that I could get hands-on experience and get into the field easily. I believe that Pima Medical Institute paved the way for my path to where I'm at today.
Q: Would you recommend Pima Medical Institute? Why?
A: I would recommend Pima Medical Institute to others because it started my career and it has developed me into what I am today. I was young, as a 20-year-old, not knowing what to do or where to go because I thought I was not able to be successful or be able to pay for an education, but when I found Pima Medical Institute, that is what helped me to be more successful. As I gathered more experience as a pharmacy technician, I was able to find ways to pursue my education even further. This got me to where I am today as a product manager with a master's degree in information systems with a specialty in business intelligence.
If I had not attended Pima Medical Institute, I do not believe I would be where I am today, because they gave me the tools I needed to succeed. I was able to be very successful in the pharmacy field. My 12 years of experience and dedication really helped me to earn the role I have today as a product manager in the pharmacy automation field.
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As a new pet owner I developed an interest in animal health care. I found the PMI Veterinary Technician program online, and immediately loved its convenient location and class schedule. When I scheduled a tour date on the campus I was very pleased to find a friendly and helpful staff.
The instructors are wonderful and genuinely cared about each student's education. They made me feel like I was valued and cared for, and they sacrificed so much of their personal time to ensure that all of their students were getting the education they were there for. Although the program was accelerated, the instructors made learning fun and showed me many creative ways to remember the large quantity of information that I needed to retain.
Once I completed my courses, PMI offered a VTNE review for the Veterinary Technician National Exam (VTNE). Even when I was done with school, they still wanted to help me! Because of their assistance, I was prepared for the VTNE and I am now a Certified Veterinary Technician at Briargate Blvd Animal Hospital. I graduated from PMI in 2013 and I am honored to say that I am a PMI graduate.
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I'd been out of the workforce for many years as an at home mom. I knew the job market was tough and I would need a skill to return. I wasn't sure what direction to head, but I knew all those times I'd sat in doctor's offices with my daughter, I would watch their employees and think -- I'd really like to do that.
I did my research and found Pima had an excellent reputation. As soon as I met with the admission's counselor, I knew I was at the right school. I originally signed up for the Medical Administrative Assistant program. But when I was in my career prep class, I kept seeing this parade of really happy students and a really kind instructor who always greeted me in the hall. My curiosity got the best of me and during one of my breaks I talked to that instructor and found out she taught the Dental Assistant Program. She invited me to observe a class and as soon as I watched her hands on class, I knew I wanted to be a Dental Assistant. I switched to the DA program immediately and loved it!
Pima is a wonderful school and has great instructors. I can't say one bad thing about my instructor, Ms Lewis. She was just amazing! After my externship, I heard Pima was opening a Dental Hygiene Clinic and needed a Dental Assistant. I was able to transition from a PMI student to a PMI employee! I'm currently working with equipment and supplies, but am hoping we'll able to add restoratives and I'll be able to work with the dentist in the future. I love working with PMI students and hope to work here for a long time.
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I attended a community college for several years, but I was indecisive and unmotivated. I kept trying different classes and programs but I just didn't have any direction. I had a friend who attended Pima Medical Institute, so I looked online and checked out their programs. I really wanted to attend the Respiratory Therapy program but I just wasn't ready for a two year program, so I enrolled in the nine month Pharmacy Technician program.
I was a little intimidated at first as the program is accelerated, but it got easier as I learned to manage my time. I was motivated to get into the field and had an excellent externship experience. There is a real need for Pharmacy Technicians so finding a job was easy. I'm currently working at a CVS Pharmacy and I'm also back at PMI pursuing my goal of getting my associate's degree in Respiratory Therapy.
The instructors are wonderful! They bring practical experience to the classroom and my clinical experiences help me apply what I'm learning in the program. I am looking forward to my new career, but I don't plan to stop learning. Within a year I hope to start PMI's online Bachelor of Science in Respiratory Therapy program. My education at PMI has been a challenge, but I'm meeting my goals and it is worth it!
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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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In 2016, I completed my bachelor's degree (Bachelor of Science in Radiologic Sciences) through Pima Medical Institute's Online program. A few years later, they offered me the chance to pursue a master's program (Master of Organizational Leadership) at a good tuition rate. Despite initially vowing not to return to school, I seized the opportunity.
Balancing a full-time job and two per diem positions was challenging, totaling about 70 hours of work a week. However, with two-month courses that kept me engaged, I pushed through, always carrying my laptop with me to avoid falling behind. What made this program truly valuable was its immediate application in my professional life. My capstone project focused on improving employee satisfaction by revising schedules - a project I was already implementing at my new job.
Surprisingly, my master's degree opened doors I hadn't expected. A friend sought a new supervisor for their facility, and my enrollment in a master's program played a significant role in their decision to hire me. Today, I proudly serve as the MRI Supervisor at Lankenau Medical Center in Wynnewood, PA.
I'm immensely thankful for my dedicated instructors, who were always accessible and supportive despite the distance. Choosing Pima Medical was a life-changing decision. It not only equipped me with the knowledge and skills for my role but also offered unwavering support and a sense of belonging within their educational community. My journey to an MRI Supervisor underscores the incredible potential that Pima Medical can unlock for its students.
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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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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 25 years in restaurant management, I always knew I wanted to go back to school, but life kept getting in the way. In 2017, everything changed when I got very sick and ended up in the hospital for 10 days. One nurse, an older, highly skilled woman, was so inspiring that I thought, "If she can do this, so can I." Though I didn't want to be a nurse, I knew my management background could help me run a medical office. However, when I tried applying for receptionist jobs, I kept hearing the same thing-I needed medical experience.
That's when I decided to take a leap and enroll in Pima Medical Institute's Medical Assistant (MA) program. The nine-month program gave me the education I needed to get my foot in the door. It wasn't easy-after being out of school for 20 years, I had to relearn how to study and manage my time. But thanks to Pima Medical's support system and my fellow students, I got through it.
I landed my first job as an MA through my externship at Pima Heart. I soon enrolled in the online Health Care Administration (HCA) program, while moving up in my job and then continued into the Bachelor of Science in Health Care Administration (BSHCA) program. Upon completion, I applied to administrative positions and was humbled to have 15 interviews scheduled. After considering numerous job opportunities, I chose to join Banner Health as a Practice Manager, overseeing a staff of 20 (with eight providers and 40 residents).
Pima Medical provided the education I needed to excel in the medical field. My instructors were there for me every step of the way. If you're considering going back to school, just do it! Choose Pima Medical and you will get the support you need.
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I was a very young mom while working at Ross Dress for Less, and that experience really pushed me to think about my future. I knew I wanted to build a better life-not just for myself, but especially for my daughter. I've always been drawn to healthcare, but I had to be realistic; going to school full-time just wasn't an option. I researched programs that would allow me to balance both responsibilities, and that's when I came across Pima Medical Institute's Seattle Campus. It stood out because of its flexibility and focus on hands-on training.
My experience as a student was really positive. The biggest challenges I faced weren't with the school itself, but with balancing everything in my personal life. Being a full-time mom while also working part-time and going to school wasn't easy. One thing I really appreciated was the support from the teachers. They were always willing to help, and it didn't feel like I was going through the program alone. I felt like they genuinely cared about my success, and the friends I made during the program have become lifelong supportive friends!
After graduating in 2010, I stayed consistent and patient in my job search and found my first roles with a pediatrician and at HealthPoint Community Clinic. Over the years, I've gained leadership experience in pediatrics, cardiology, urgent care, primary care and internal medicine.
Right now, I'm continuing my education and working toward my bachelor's degree in Healthcare Informatics. I want to combine my clinical experience with informatics to make a broader impact on the systems and technology that support healthcare. If you're thinking about Pima Medical Institute, go tour it-you won't be disappointed!
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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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