WELCOME HOME ALUMNI

I suffered a severe back injury that really took a toll on my health. I found myself realizing I had to make a career change and I needed it fast. I saw a commercial on TV for Pima Medical Institute and my husband encouraged me to seek information about the college. That same day I called Pima Medical. The next day I came in for a tour, and two hours later, I was enrolled in the Medical Administrative Assistant (MAA) program. I had many struggles while in the program. I was dealing with back pain that was unbearable at times, making it difficult to sit in class. The staff at Pima Medical was very accommodating to my needs, which I was very grateful for. Financial struggles started occurring fast. I had to leave my job because of my injury. With family living so far away, we had no place to go. The next couple of months my family and I stayed at a hotel. Trying to make ends meet was very tough. There were even a couple of nights we slept in the car and utilized food pantries just to get by. Everyone at Pima Medical was so kind and supported us in many ways. I had many people to lean on and they always provided a safe place to release my emotions. I truly believe without the support from Pima Medical and my family, I couldn't have made it. I am currently employed as a clinical secretary at Kidney Care and I love it. I am proud of myself for persevering. My health is better and my family has a place to call home. It was all worth it!

Both of my parents have careers in the medical field and my older sister was working as an X-ray technologist's assistant at the same hospital. I had many broken bones as a kid and recall getting many X-rays, but when my sister started talking about what happens behind the scenes in her department, I started considering a career as a radiologic technologist. Both my sister and my mom encouraged me toward the Radiography program at Pima Medical Institute. It is a robust program for sure. It was super challenging for me and required a lot of study. But, the instructors were very knowledgeable and encouraging. I formed great relationships with my classmates; we became quite close and helped each other get through the program. It was quite intimidating to walk into my clinicals. Although I was well prepared and had help from the technologists, it was quite overwhelming to be in trauma situations and be interacting with nurses and doctors in real life situations. I worked really hard in my final round of my clinicals at Sharp Memorial Hospital and a couple months after graduation, I was hired as a radiologic technologist. I spend the majority of my time in the ER and I really enjoy my current job, but may consider a position in mammography in the future. I want to thank Pima Medical and especially my instructor, Dr. Schmidt, who was so helpful and supportive. I was in a terrible car accident during the program and without her guidance I may not have been able to finish my program. I am 23-years-old, I have a career in the medical field and I am really proud of myself.

I have always been interested in the medical field, but when my father had a heart attack it validated my desire to help people like him. After hearing a radio advertisement for Pima Medical Institute, my husband pushed me to inquire. His support gave me the confidence to enroll in the Medical Assistant (MA) program. I wasn't very focused in high school, but despite having to work and take care of my young son while in the program, I am proud to say I graduated with honors. I completed my externship and was hired at a combined urgent care and family medicine office. I had a fantastic experience and worked for two brilliant physicians who helped further my education. I worked there for seven years and eventually worked my way up into management. After 11 years in the field, I decided to return to Pima Medical to complete the online Health Care Administration program, which helped prepare me for my current position as Lead MA Instructor at Pima Medical's Denver Campus. One of the things I appreciated most about Pima Medical was the instructors. My MA instructor gave me confidence and unwavering support, even after I was no longer her student. Both my on ground and online instructors prepared me for every aspect of my career and helped me realize what a bright future I had. I am planning to continue in the bachelor's program and I recommend Pima Medical to anyone interested in pursuing an education in the medical field.

I started my journey to become a nurse back in my twenties, but my plans kept getting interrupted. At the age of 49, after years of being in various office jobs and property management roles, I finally decided to pursue my lifelong dream. When I stumbled upon an advertisement for Pima Medical Institute's one-year Practical Nursing program, something just clicked and I knew it was time. Entering the program, I was the oldest among my classmates, but age was never a barrier. We were all there with a common purpose, united in our determination to succeed. My instructors were awesome and were clearly there to help us get through and be successful. Despite any doubt's others had about my starting a new career later in life, I knew it was never too late to pursue my passion. My life experience brought a unique perspective to my studies, making certain topics easier to grasp. My maturity gave me confidence and I eagerly volunteered for tasks in clinicals wanting to immerse myself in real-world experience. After graduation, I embarked on my nursing career, initially working in long-term care facilities. After moving to Mississippi, I found my place at Enhabit Home Health and Hospice in Mississippi, where I am an LPN/Patient Services Coordinator. I love my job and appreciate helping my patients from a whole person perspective. It's a great fit for me. Looking back, I can confidently say that enrolling at Pima Medical was one of the best decisions I've ever made. It's never too late to chase your dreams.

In 2005, while browsing technical programs online, Pima Medical Institute's Veterinary Assistant (VA) Program caught my eye. I filled out a request for more information and, to my surprise, Niki Riggleman, a recently retired yet highly esteemed instructor, called me immediately. Despite never having had an interest in veterinary medicine before, that call changed my life. I can't imagine being in any other field today and I'm so grateful Niki called me! I completed the VA Program and returned to complete the Veterinary Technician (VT) Program in 2007. It was a privilege to be part of the very first VT class at the Seattle Campus. One aspect of Pima Medical I truly appreciated was its accessibility; the ability to attend night classes and work during the day allowed me to maintain a steady income while pursuing my education. The hands-on classroom experience, combined with working in the field, was crucial to my professional growth. My journey with VCA Animal Hospitals began with my first externship, where I was hired even before completing it. Almost 20 years later, I'm still with VCA and grateful to have found my place there. I worked as a VA, a VT and then quickly moved up to Technician Supervisor and a regional training role. In 2020, I became the Regional Technician Director for the Northwest & Hawaii Group, supporting veterinary teams across five states. Additionally, as the current President of the Washington State Association of Veterinary Technicians (WSAVT) and a former District Chair for the National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America (NAVTA), I am dedicated to improving the careers of Veterinary Technicians and Assistants. Ensuring their optimal utilization and safety is crucial to our profession, helping us continue to serve our patients effectively.

I have always had an interest in the medical field, but had no idea where to begin. My brother went to Pima Medical Institute for the Veterinary Technician program, which led me to look into the school. After my first tour, I knew it was the place for me and I enrolled in the Medical Assistant (MA) program. My student experience was amazing! I had fantastic instructors and got so much hands-on experience in such a short amount of time. At first, it was difficult to balance full-time school while working, but I loved what I was learning so much that putting in the work was something I was more than willing to do. I loved getting to practice my hands-on skills with my classmates. Doing things like injections and blood draws on real people truly prepares you for real patients. I graduated from Pima Medical with a 4.0 GPA, and as soon as I started to apply for jobs, the offers were rolling in! I ultimately chose to work at University of Washington Medical Center because it seemed like the best opportunity for me, and it definitely has been. Since graduating, I have been working at UW for the last year. I have learned so much and have never been more confident in a job. Getting my education at Pima Medical Institute was truly one of the best decisions I have ever made. It prepared me so much for my future and made stepping into a new role a piece of cake. I would highly recommend Pima Medical to others seeking to change their lives.

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.

had just graduated from high school and was searching for a career that would allow me to help others while staying active. When I discovered Pima Medical Institute's Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) program, I knew it was the perfect fit. The opportunity to complete the program in just 18 months and start my dream job immediately was exactly what I was looking for. My experience at Pima Medical was amazing. The class schedule allowed me to balance my studies with a part-time job, which was important for supporting myself. The coursework was challenging, but my instructors were incredibly supportive and always took the time to help me understand difficult concepts. I especially appreciated how they related the material to real-world, clinical situations, making everything we learned feel more relevant and practical. The hands-on experience in our lab and during clinical rotations was invaluable. It solidified my skills and prepared me for the workforce. Right after graduation I was hired at Athletico, where I've been working ever since. I'm currently pursuing a certification in pelvic floor therapy, a field I'm very passionate about. I am looking forward to raising awareness about its importance for overall well-being. I'm so grateful to my instructors at Pima Medical. The education I received there truly shaped me into the clinician I am today. I highly recommend Pima Medical to anyone looking to pursue a career in healthcare - it's an amazing school.

When my children were heading off to college, I realized it was my turn to invest in myself. I wanted a career that aligned with my passions-health, fitness and helping people-while also offering job stability and global opportunities. Becoming a Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) checked all the boxes, and after researching different programs, Pima Medical Institute stood out as the perfect fit for my timeline and lifestyle. Going back to school after 15 years as a stay-at-home soccer mom was the hardest thing I've ever done. The fast-paced, condensed program challenged me academically, and the commute from Tacoma to North Seattle meant long days followed by even longer nights of studying. But Pima Medical provided endless support-faculty were always available, and I took advantage of every extra lab and hands-on practice session. They held us to high standards because patients deserve the best, not just someone getting by. After graduation, I started at an orthopedic outpatient clinic, later transitioning to Olympic Sports and Spine, where I earned my orthopedic sports certification and became a Certified Lymphatic Therapist. Eventually, I sought a setting that allowed more personalized patient care, leading me to a private practice where I now enjoy one-on-one treatment sessions. I plan to retire here. Pima Medical gave me the knowledge, confidence, and professionalism to succeed. Even after graduating, I've stayed connected with my instructors, who were always honest, supportive and dedicated. My career allows me to keep learning and growing, and for that, I'm forever grateful.