WELCOME HOME ALUMNI

I absolutely love my new career as a Pharmacy Technician. My experience at Pima Medical Institute was invaluable and it gave me the confidence I needed! While working at an assisted living facility where the work was becoming more difficult, I found myself focusing more and more on learning about my patients' medications. One day I was online and saw an advertisement for Pima Medical Institute's Pharmacy Technician program. I was curious and completed the form and before I knew it, I enrolled in the program. I was able to continue working full-time while attending the program. I was also a single mom and I had not been to school in over 20 years. So, it felt really scary! I was a much older student, but I loved my instructors and I fell right in step with my studies. In fact, I remembered how much I loved learning and thoroughly enjoyed the experience. During my externship, I worked with a pharmacist who was kind and enjoyed quizzing me about pharmaceutical names while we worked. When my externship was completed, there were no job openings there, but I was soon hired at a Target CVS. I originally thought I wanted to work in a hospital setting, but I discovered I loved retail and the challenge of untangling difficult insurance issues, which, ultimately saves patients money on their prescriptions. I love my job!

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!

In 2012 I was in a bad accident and spent time in the hospital. This experience enabled me to observe the nurses and see how they cared for people. I had been working as a team lead at Target for a number of years but I decided that I wanted to do more than help people spend money, so I began pursuing the medical field. I started as a CNA and after 4 years decided I wanted to attend school to become an LPN. I heard about Pima Medical Institute on the radio and got excited about attending their Practical Nursing program. I have to admit my first sequence of classes was really challenging! The whole program was a huge learning experience for me, but my hard work paid off. I appreciated how the whole program was laid out ahead of time, including our course work and the schedule. This really helped us be successful. I was offered a job at my clinical site. The administrator took notice of me and offered me a position as a unit manager, not your typical first job as an LPN. I believe Pima Medical helped me develop a level of confidence that made a difference in obtaining this position. Recently, I was contacted by another facility and offered a job as another unit manager. I am honored and proud that in such a short time my education and hard work has provided opportunities for growth in my career. Pima Medical prepared me to be successful. The encouragement and support I got from my instructors was just overwhelming, and it's an experience I am always going to cherish.

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.

I had an amazing experience in the Medical Assistant (MA) program at Pima Medical Institute. I had the best instructors and, as we spent time studying together, my classmates became amazing friends. I had always known I wanted to be in a profession where I could help people and I wanted to work with children. My older sister had completed the Veterinary Technician (VT) program at Pima Medical, so I knew it was a school I could trust and enrolled in the MA program. I appreciated all the knowledge and information they gave us about working in the real world. The hands-on experience helped us feel prepared for our new career. Since graduating in 2018 I have worked for three clinics or organizations as an MA and have gained experience in family practice, OB/GYN and specialty clinics and have learned so much! I love my job! Every day is different and I am constantly learning new things. I am so very grateful for my instructors at Pima Medical for helping me to be able to achieve my dream job. I love what I do and I am so grateful I took the leap to enroll in the Medical Assistant (MA) program.

When I first walked through the doors of Pima Medical Institute, life was a challenge! My husband was out of work, and we, along with our six-month-old baby, were living with his mother. Plus, I had dropped out of school at 5th grade and since my mother wasn't familiar with homeschooling, I taught myself at home through high school. Today, after completing four programs, we own a beautiful home, and our now eight-year-old daughter is thriving. Our lives have completely transformed. I'm a 5th grade dropout with a master's degree - nothing is impossible if you really want it. I began with the nine-month Medical Assistant (MA) program. Balancing full-time work and school was tough-I cried many times on my drive to class-but I never gave up. I was determined to build a better life for my family. That determination drove me to continue my education, earning my associate degree in Health Care Administration (HCA), a Bachelor of Science in Health Care Administration (BSHCA), and eventually a Master of Science in Organizational Leadership (MSOL). Throughout this journey, I've worked and gone to school simultaneously. Thanks to the education and skills I gained at Pima Medical, I've never struggled to find opportunities. In fact, I've had the privilege of being selective about my career path. I've grown from being an MA to a referral coordinator, and now, I'm in my first management position-a role I secured a month before earning my master's degree. Each program at Pima Medical played a crucial role in my career progression. My master's degree, in particular, has been invaluable. As a clinic manager building a new practice from scratch, I've relied on the knowledge I gained every step of the way. Thank you, Pima Medical Institute, for changing my life and helping me achieve my dreams. If only my first instructor, Ms. Lakeeta Garfield, could see me now. So often her words - "Be thorough," have run through my mind. I have strived to be thorough in everything I do and I have been successful.

Nineteen years ago, I took my first step toward a life-changing career by enrolling in the Medical Assistant (MA) program at Pima Medical Institute. I knew I wanted to work in healthcare, but I didn't realize how transformative this journey would be. During my time as an MA student, I became fascinated with Respiratory Therapy (RT), so I enrolled in Pima Medical's RT program. My instructors believed in me and pushed me beyond my limits. The administrative team was equally supportive, showing me that my education mattered to them as much as it did to me. While still an RT student, I secured my first job at North Vista Hospital. After graduating, I joined University Medical Center (UMC) in Las Vegas. Both hospitals hired me after completing my clinical rotations. I worked my way up and built my career at UMC, eventually earning a management role. While there I continued my education, completing a Bachelor of Science in Respiratory Therapy (BSRT) online program from Pima Medical and later a master's degree in Business. After retiring, I returned to Pima Medical to give back. In April 2024, I became the Clinical Director of Education for the RT program and by October 2024, I became the RT Program Director. I am forever grateful to Pima Medical Institute for believing in me. This journey wouldn't have been possible without the incredible instructors and staff who stood by me every step of the way.

My journey into health care began with an interest in nursing, but I soon realized it didn't align with my personality. A shadowing opportunity in a Radiology department, arranged by my mother, confirmed my passion for radiography. I chose Pima Medical Institute's Radiography associate degree program and had exceptional experience as a student. The program's blend of didactic and clinical training thoroughly prepared me for my career. I viewed each clinical rotation as a job interview, especially my fourth-semester placement. I worked hard to impress the staff by demonstrating the skills I had learned and I earned a job offer at the same hospital, where I continue to work. Currently, I serve as the Director of Diagnostic Imaging at Canyon Vista Medical Center. Since graduating from Pima Medical's Radiography program 13 years ago, I have had the privilege of precepting students from various programs across Arizona and California. Among them, Pima Medical students consistently stand out. They arrive at their first clinical rotation with strong positioning skills and the confidence to image patients of all ages, from pediatrics to geriatrics. Pima Medical not only equipped me with essential skills but also instilled confidence and set me on a path to success.

I was born and raised in Bisbee, Arizona, and I'm proud to be a first-generation college student. My interest in radiology began in fourth grade after a broken wrist landed me in the ER. I was fascinated by the X-ray process, and that moment never left me. After high school, I shadowed in the radiology department at a local hospital where my mother worked and decided to apply at Pima Medial Institute. I didn't get in the first time, but I gained more experience, took classes and eventually reapplied after COVID. I was accepted! And that changed everything. The program was tough, especially being far from home and dealing with personal loss. But I was never alone. Kristen Miller, Jolene Pobrislo and Jeff Botkin supported me every step of the way. They believed in me, and I always knew I could reach out for help. Today, I work as a radiologic technologist performing X-rays and bone density scans. I hope to add Computed Tomography (CT) to my credentials and grow into a hospital role. Pima Medical gave me the knowledge, confidence and care to make my dreams possible. And now, I get to show my grandparents every day that their sacrifices were worth it.