WELCOME HOME ALUMNI

I hadn't decided on a vocational direction. I was taking classes in accounting and I was considering the area of probation, when someone I knew recommended me for a part-time position working in a doctor's office. Even though I had no formal training, the doctor thought I had a good attitude so he hired me, trained me, and I started working in his office in May of 1994. When patients asked me where I received my training and I had to tell them it was who I knew, not what I knew, that got me the job. I knew I wanted to go back to school to get my Medical Assistant certification. So since PMI had such great reputation, that's where I enrolled. I had great instructors who helped us not only understand the material, but taught us why we needed to know it. They taught us the importance of our role to both our physician and our office. My instructor even wrote a meaningful poem for each student before we graduated. I continued to work for the same physician for another 5 years and then took a position as a Medical Administrative Assistant Instructor back at PMI. After 15 years, I still love my job teaching new students! I'm currently a student myself working towards my bachelor degree and I hope to teach until I retire. PMI opened the door to my future and it's been one of the best decisions I've ever made!

When I was sixteen, I was in a really bad car accident. This opened my eyes to the medical field. It was a rough time of my life. I wasn't able to attend school and ended up having to go to a wound care clinic every single day. All the people at the clinic became my friends, but my Medical Assistant became a special friend and influence. We are still friends today. I found Pima Medical Institute through a friend who was enrolled in their Medical Assistant program. She encouraged me to attend. I loved the fact that PMI has evening classes, so I was able to keep my 8-5 job and still complete the MA program in the evenings. The instructors were very supportive, and my classmates were amazing. In fact, we still get together. Since I wear a prosthetic, I had a contact at the Prosthetics and Orthotics Clinic in Seattle. PMI was able to place me there for my externship, which was a great experience. During my externship, I began searching for jobs and saw that Planned Parenthood was looking for an MA. I applied that day, had an interview a few days later, and was hired to start right after my externship was complete. The people I work with are great, and I recently received a promotion to become the team lead. I really love my job! The best thing about PMI is the support you receive from the instructors. They push you to be better and yet are aware of those who may need a little extra help. It's an amazing education!

After moving around and working in many different types of jobs over the years, I realized I didn't have a career. When my sister suggested an education at a career college, I knew it was what I needed. The day I walked through the doors of Pima Medical Institute and my advisor explained the Medical Assistant (MA) program, I was able to complete both financial aid and enrollment. I started the program a month later. As a student, I was nervous at first, but quickly realized this was where I was meant to be. I didn't enjoy high school, but the MA program was different and I enjoyed learning. I guess when you find the field where you belong, it's not hard! My new career led me to work in a variety of settings from medical records, pediatric pulmonary, workers comp, to a multispecialty medical center. In the process, I was promoted to Lead MA, Supervisor, Ancillary and Office Manager. During this time, I continued my education getting my bachelor's degree in Business. Prompted by a colleague's suggestion, I reached out to my former instructor at Pima Medical about a teaching opportunity. As a result, I started my teaching career and I am currently the Lead MA instructor at Pima Medical, and recently completed a dual master's degree in Healthcare Administration and Business Administration. As an instructor, I draw on my MA experience to teach skills and strive to bridge the gap between education and real-world expectations. Continuing my education has helped me understand and relate to the learning process of my students. I love being an instructor! I enjoy pushing my students to dream big and realize the vast possibilities available to them in the medical field. Pima Medical Institute not only provided me with a fulfilling career, it also empowers me to guide others toward their own success.

As a proud Pima Medical Institute BSRT graduate, my journey from an associate's degree in Respiratory Therapy (RT), to a bachelor's degree, to achieving my dream job as a Critical Care Transport Respiratory Therapist at Children's Mercy has been nothing short of remarkable. While in school for my associate's at Concorde College, they highly encouraged us to continue our education and recommended Pima Medical's online Bachelor of Science in Respiratory Therapy (BSRT). I knew a bachelor's would increase my salary and would also be helpful for future supervisory or management positions. The flexibility of online classes made it manageable for me to work full-time at Salem Health, a level II trauma center with a level III NICU, while pursuing my degree. My dream of working in medical transport began at age 17, when I was a volunteer patient for the local fire department and experienced being flighted out of our neighborhood. After years of experience as an RT, I landed my dream job. As a Critical Care Transport RT, I participate in various types of transports, from helicopters and fixed wing, to jets and ground transportation, proving support to hospitals nationwide. Children's Mercy in Kansas City is one of the busiest transport teams, covering a wide range of patients including neonates, pediatrics, maternal and fetal cases. Working with limited resources challenges me to think on my feet and be creative with patient care. The transport team, comprised of brilliant minds, requires continuous education, certifications, and simulations to improve patient care. During my downtime, I enjoy visiting former patients and their families and witnessing their progress. I love to do PR at community events where I hope to inspire young girls to pursue a fulfilling career in healthcare. I'm appreciative for the role Pima Medical played in shaping my success and making my dream job a reality.

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 being a truck driver and construction worker for 20 plus years, I made a promise to my mother before she died that I would go back to school. For nearly five years I passed Pima Medical Institute on my daily drive, and finally found the courage to pull in and take the pretest for the Nursing program. Going back to school at age 50 was scary, but I loved the atmosphere, the instructors and my classmates at Pima Medical. The instructors did an exceptional and extraordinary job preparing us for the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX). I applied at Banner Desert in Mesa where I had completed my clinicals and I was hired. It was 2019, and I was immediately thrown into the COVID Pandemic. A year later I decided to become a traveling nurse. Initially, I worried I might not be qualified enough or have enough experience, but I quickly got over that. Every place is different, but most of the core staff really appreciates the relief that travelers provide. I have been to 10 different places in four years. I'm considered a Banner Staffing Traveler within the Banner facilities nationwide and I call Banner Tucson my home, as it is where I spend the most time. Some of the challenges of being a traveler are finding a place to live and being away from family and friends. But, I am getting experience and confidence in different facilities and becoming more adaptable and flexible in my career. Plus, I am making a great salary. Pima Medical Institute changed my life forever. I made some lifelong friends during my experience, I had some incredible, humble, giving and caring instructors and I am truly grateful!

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.

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.

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.