WELCOME HOME ALUMNI

I was getting ready to retire from the department of corrections and I knew I wanted a second career in the medical field. My sister was enrolled in PMI's Occupational Therapy Assistant program and she encouraged me to join her, but I just didn't quite understand it. Then my mother-in-law had a stroke and as I visited her in the rehabilitation facility and asked questions of her therapist, I realized this was the field my sister was talking about. The light went on for me and I knew it was the career field I wanted. A week after I retired, I started the OTA program at Pima Medical Institute. One of my first thoughts was, I am the oldest person here and I have nothing in common with my classmates. But, it wasn't that way at all! Everyone is on the same level, learning the same things, and you need each other. My instructors offered us life experience that you just don't find in a book and they were so encouraging. No matter how good your education is in the classroom, you're never totally prepared for clinicals. But once I was there, everything seemed to click and I knew just what to do. I loved the clinic atmosphere and I fell in love with pediatrics. I wish I would have started 20 years ago, but I've learned you're never too old to learn! My son was my at home study partner while I was in school. Now, he and his girlfriend have enrolled in the OTA program at PMI starting later this year. It's becoming a family affair!

After graduating from high school, I attended UTEP (University of Texas at El Paso) but despite attempting a number of majors, I still didn't have a plan. The thing that brought me joy was volunteering at the shelter where I adopted my dog. I really loved working with the animals and it made me realize that's what I was meant to do. I began researching schools with a veterinary program around El Paso and found Pima Medical Institute and enrolled in the Veterinary Assistant program. I cannot tell you how excited and joyful I was to finally start on a path to a career I knew I would love! I had a great experience during my 9-month program. My instructor was wonderful and I received lots of hands-on practice. I was placed in Boerne, near San Antonio, at the Cibolo Creek Veterinary Hospital for my externship and before I left to head back to El Paso, they offered me a position! After almost three years as a Veterinary Assistant I decided to continue my education and enrolled in the Veterinary Technician program, this time at the Pima Medical in San Antonio. I have been learning so much and am enjoying getting exposure in different areas like exotics and livestock. I appreciate my instructors sharing their experiences and providing hands-on instruction. I plan to graduate later this year. I love the veterinary field and I am so thankful to Pima Medical for providing a path to a great career that I love!

I was working as a limited scope technician when my husband left me and I found myself alone to raise my two girls by myself. My bosses were very kind and encouraged me to attend a program to get my full radiologic technologist license and increase my salary. My medical director even sent me a link to Pima Medical Institute's online Advanced Placement Track Radiography (now called Radiography-Bridge) Program. It was very challenging working full-time, caring for my daughters and going to school, but it was also so rewarding! I was so happy and motivated to be in the program, that I was able to be very committed to my goal. I would come home from work, prepare a meal for my family and then focus on school work. The instructors were helpful and very available for me when I had questions. My program director was excellent and I always felt his support. I am thankful I was able to continue working during the program and keep my insurance for my children. It wasn't easy, but you often don't know how strong you are until you go through hard times. My life has not been easy. When I was 15 my mother passed away and I immigrated to this country. And, I am so grateful for the opportunities this country has given me. My supervisors at work held a position for me and as soon as I obtained my license, I was promoted to a full-scope radiologic technologist. I love to learn, so I plan to go for my license in mammography and then I hope to return to Pima Medical for my bachelor's degree. I am so proud of myself and I wish I had done this program earlier. I had such a great experience and it was so worth it!

Which program did you complete and what made you decide to continue your education online? I completed the online Health Care Administration associate degree program. What made you choose PMI's program? I chose Pima Medical's Medical Assistant program first in 1997. I had recently retired from my first career after 23 years as a restaurant manager. I quickly realized that staying at home with my hobbies wasn't enough for me. After I saw the TV advertisement, I knew that the Medical Assistant program was for me. I walked into my next career with renewed excitement and dedication to helping people in a different way from my previous career. In 2015, I chose Pima Medical's HCA program to advance my education and attain my associate degree for two very different reasons. First, I wanted to enhance my classroom teaching skills and presentations to my students. Second, with the death of my husband of 39 years, I needed direction to build on who I am without him. Both my students and myself have benefitted from that decision. What was it like to manage a full-time position and your course load? For me, managing both the full-time position and the course load was not difficult the second time. It was definitely because my children were grown and my husband was gone. I had plenty of time to dedicate to the endeavor. I realize that if my children had been small, it would have been just as hard as it was when I took the MA certification program, and it was terribly hard then. I worked at Arvada Pediatrics at the time from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. I had to be at Pima Medical from 5:50 p.m. to 10:10 p.m. With four children from 6 to 17 years old, I barely had time to breathe much less study. I used my breaks at work and a couple of hours after class to do all that was required to pass the classes. During that same time, my husband had his first heart attack and I had to take some time off to take care of him. I didn't know if I would be able to continue, but things work out for the best and I graduated in October of 1998. It wasn't easy, but it was worth every bit of the effort and anxiety. Did you feel like the coursework was practical for your profession? The course work for both the certificate and the associate degree were perfectly appropriate for the profession. I would have continued with the bachelor's program if I would have been able to earn a scholarship as I did with the associate degree. Would you encourage others to continue their education and would you recommend this program? The course work for both the certificate and the associate degree were perfectly appropriate for the profession. I would have continued with the bachelor's program if I would have been able to earn a scholarship as I did with the associate degree.

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!

At age 19, I started at Pima Medical Institute after realizing that my initial path at UNM wasn't the right fit for me at that time. A friend suggested looking into CT technology, and after some research, I found that Pima Medical's Radiography (RAD) program offered a quicker and more fitting path to my career goals. The structured environment in the RAD program was exactly what I needed, although it wasn't always easy. My father passed away during my second semester, which made it tough to stay on track, but with the support of the school, I persevered. The clinical experiences were mostly positive, giving me valuable hands-on learning. Even in challenging situations, I gained skills by working independently, which proved to be great learning experiences. Graduating in 2004, I entered the workforce during a tech shortage and quickly landed a job. I started in x-ray and, over the years, expanded my expertise by becoming registered in mammography, bone density, and MRI. However, I chose to focus on mammography, as it offered a better work-life balance compared to MRI. After a decade at a hospital, I transitioned to a quieter clinic setting where I could work more independently, which suits me well. I've been at a small clinic for nearly a year now, enjoying the stability and better hours. Alongside my career, I'm also completing my bachelor's degree in university studies, thanks to a state program offering free classes to those close to finishing their degree. Looking ahead, I'm content with where I am but open to new opportunities, possibly in management. Pima Medical set me up for success, giving me the tools I needed to start and grow my career in radiology. Now 20 years later, I'm grateful for the education and experiences that have brought me to where I am today.

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.

I completed my bachelor's degree in child development and worked at child care centers for a number of years, but something inside me always longed to be in the medical field. My dad was a physical therapist assistant and later became an RN, so I had lots of exposure to the medical field. But, it's very difficult to switch careers. After a coworker told me about Pima Medical Institute, I began taking steps to enroll in the Medical Assistant (MA) program. I was still working full-time so the hybrid MA program, which offered online learning and the opportunity to attend classes two nights a week, was exactly what I needed. I loved my experience as a student and appreciated my instructors. It was tough attending classes and working full-time, but I was diligent with my studies and disciplined myself to study on weekends. When it came time for my clinicals, I quit my child care job and began applying all I had learned in my classes at a family medicine clinic. The people I worked with really helped me and I was able to apply the skills I had learned, gain experience and also increase my confidence. It was probably my favorite part of my education. Finding a job ended up being a lot easier than I had anticipated. I am currently working as an MA at Parker Pediatrics and Adolescence. I love my job! I am able to marry all my experience working with children and my new career in the medical field. I really enjoy the people I work with and it's providing me a ton of opportunities for further growth and learning. I'm not finished with education, so I am in the process of getting my bachelor of science in nursing. Pima Medical gave me my start in the medical field. Being able to work full time while obtaining my MA certificate was so worth it and provided a jumping off point for me into the medical field.

I had been working at a grocery store for 12 years when I decided it was time for a change. I hadn't been in school in a very long time and wasn't quite ready to commit to a four-year university. When I found Pima Medical Institute, it felt like the right fit for me in my stage of life. I chose the nine-month Medical Assistant (MA) program because I viewed it as a great stepping stone into a career in the medical field. I really enjoyed my time at Pima Medical. It was exciting to be in a learning environment surrounded by students who were all motivated to succeed. My biggest challenge was balancing full-time work with evening classes while still finding time to study. It wasn't easy, but I did it! The thing I appreciated most about Pima Medical was the genuine commitment to student success. There was always help available whenever I had questions or needed support. Because of that, I walked out of the program feeling prepared and confident in my new profession. Upon graduation, I quickly found a job and began working as a Medical Assistant with Providence in family practice, where I stayed for six years. Currently, I work for Optum Primary Care, continuing my career in family medicine. While at Providence, I had the opportunity to be a preceptor in the apprentice program, and I hope to take on that role again at Optum in the future. Educating and mentoring others is a passion of mine, and I look forward to continuing to make a difference in the field of healthcare.