WELCOME HOME ALUMNI

I am currently working as a Medical Assistant in the area of vascular surgery at the New Mexico Heart Institute and I love my job! It wasn't very long ago that I was working a night shift security position where I was bored, felt like I wasn't getting anywhere and longed for a career. One night I started researching online looking for something in the medical field and Pima Medical Institute popped up. I simply completed a brief form and they called the next day. Before I knew it, I was enrolled in the Medical Assistant Program. I was glad I didn't have a chance to second guess my decision. Going back to school was challenging for me. I was still working security full time at night, going to school during the day and trying to find time to spend with my two-year-old daughter. That being said, Pima Medical provides everything you need to get started, including your uniform and backpack. I heard the passion in the voice of my first instructor when she spoke and it wasn't long before I fell in love with the medical field. I felt like there was no question whether we were going to succeed. Everyone at Pima Medical was so helpful. When it came time for my externship, Pima Medical's career services department worked hard to place me at a site that fit my schedule and enabled me to continue working my security job. Being placed with a plastic surgeon was not my first choice, but I had an amazing experience and the doctor ended up recommending me for my current position at New Mexico Heart Institute. I'm so grateful for my new career!

Before attending Pima Medical Institute, I worked in the restaurant industry for eight 8 years. I had several surgeries, which prompted an interest in the medical field, and I began looking for a radiography program. I was excited to find no waiting list for Pima Medical's Radiography associate degree and I enrolled. My instructors were some of the most incredible people and they made learning easy and fun. My classmates were a huge help and my clinicals really shaped me into the technologist I have become. I loved that during my clinicals I could do anything, as opposed to students from other schools who were limited in what they were allowed to do. I had a job offer before I even graduated and worked in pain management clinics and orthopedic offices over the next few years. I hit a burn out point during COVID and feeling overworked, decided I wanted to pursue a different health care position. Every job I inquired about required a bachelor's degree so I enrolled in Pima Medical's online Health Care Administration Bachelor's program, knowing it would help me move into a management role. I enjoyed my classes and my capstone project pulled it all together and helped me understand the worth and value of all my papers and projects. While in the program I landed a remote position as a Post Process 3D Technologist. I take nationwide CT and MRI images and, using special software, I prepare 3D images for the radiologist. I am confident my bachelor's degree will assist me in growing with this new company. Pima Medical was so worth it because it led me into a stable career path with a great future. I tell everyone to go to a career college. I don't know where I would be if I hadn't taken that first step.

I was injured while playing soccer in high school and my physical therapist said to me, "I think you'd be a really good physical therapist!" I tucked that away until I was at Texas State University heading toward becoming a nurse when I realized it just wasn't for me. I switched to Exercise Sports Science with a pre-physical therapy emphasis. After graduation, the doctorate physical therapy programs were extremely competitive and I just didn't have the confidence to apply - still a regret. Instead, I reviewed my options and began searching for a Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) program and found Pima Medical Institute. It was a challenging, accelerated 18-month program, but my instructors were super motivating. Although they were hard on us, they gave us all the tools needed to be the best professional clinicians we could be. I was awarded the most "outstanding student" at graduation and offered a job at each of my clinical rotations. I began my therapist journey as a pediatric PTA until I found the place I really loved; working in sports medicine and rehabilitation. During my five plus years in orthopedics, I worked with multiple students as a clinical instructor. This drew my passion for education and I began my journey as a clinical director and instructor back at the same PTA program I'd attended. I tell my students I've been down their same path and I am going to give them everything they need to be a success in their clinical experience. I remind them that I am invested in their success because not only is Pima Medical's reputation on the line, so is mine as a graduate of this program. Pima Medical provided what I needed to become a great therapist and for that I am thankful. I believe I've found my place in education and I am hoping to further my education through the master's degree program in the future.

During my junior year of high school, I enlisted in the United States Marine Corps, ready for a lifelong military career. However, my world came crashing down during a training exercise when I suffered severe injuries to my back, ankle, leg and foot. I was medically retired, lost and uncertain about my future. I tried school earning an associate's degree in electronic engineering, but the emptiness still lingered. I returned to school, this time for criminal justice and I worked in law enforcement and security field for the next 20+ years. Finally, in 2020 I found myself totally burnt out and looking for a new career. Conversations with friends in the medical field led me to Pima Medical Institute. Change isn't easy at age 47, but wanting out of my current job, I chose the shortest program, Phlebotomy. My instructors were caring and always willing to listen and explain things that didn't make sense. After graduating with honors, I landed a job as a phlebotomist. After two years of getting comfortable in the medical field, I wanted more returned, enrolling in the Medical Assistant program. It wasn't easy, as I often worked a 10-hour shift prior to coming to class at night. I'm now 50 years old, I have found my new career and I love it! Thanks to Pima Medical Institute East Valley and my supportive instructors, I have found my new career and passion. It's never too late for a fresh start.

While initially interested in Dental Hygiene (DH), at age 18, I chose to pursue Dental Assisting (DA) instead, partly because I was hesitant to commit to a university four-year DH program. Later, as I learned about Pima Medical Institute's two-year DH program, my research told me it was highly reputable and very challenging. This both intrigued me and motivated me and I enrolled. During my third semester an unexpected pregnancy brought huge challenges. My baby son was diagnosed with gastroschisis, a high-risk condition requiring frequent medical visits and a 54-day stay in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). Despite the challenges of being a new mother and the emotional strain of the situation, I remained determined to succeed in my studies. I studied and completed assignments while at the NICU, my son serving as my inspiration. He was a reminder of my strength and my determination to never give up on my dreams. My DA employer had been supportive and excited about my becoming a Dental Hygienist and invited me to join their team as a DH upon obtaining my license. I want to express my sincere gratitude to all of my instructors at Pima Medical for their unwavering support during my journey, especially as I navigated the challenges of my son's condition. Each instructor was incredibly helpful and supportive, always striving for my success. I am confident in the quality of education I received and would enthusiastically recommend it to others. While the program is rigorous, it is definitely achievable-I am living proof of that!

After moving from Texas to Colorado for a fresh start, I was determined to build a stable career in the medical field. Research led me to Pima Medical Institute, and from the moment I began speaking with admissions, I knew it was the right choice. Despite facing many challenges, I embarked on the Medical Assistant (MA) program with unwavering determination. I started living in my car three weeks after starting the MA program. I was juggling homelessness, school and a full-time job. I struggled finding safe places to park, hot and cold nights, and finding time between work and school to do homework, sleep and get to the gym to take showers. I found incredible support from caring and understanding instructors who became like family to me. They provided resources and encouragement, helping me navigate the toughest moments. As difficult as my situation was, school was my biggest motivation and the people at Pima Medical were my support and prepared me for my future. Thanks to great instructors and comprehensive training, I excelled at my externship at Advanced Urgent Care, impressing my supervisors enough to secure a job offer before even graduating. To my instructors at Pima Medical, I owe a debt of gratitude. I am the person I am today because of you. Your unwavering support and belief in me kept me going when times were toughest. Thank you for never giving up on me. You've shaped me into the professional I am today and I will forever be 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 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.

I started my career as a medic on an ambulance and knew I wanted to become a nurse. Everyone around me was doing it and it felt like the natural next step. At the time, I was working toward a degree in paramedicine at another college but their nursing program required a Certified Nursing Assistant certificate (CNA), which I didn't have. I was ready to get started and Pima Medical Institute offered exactly what I needed: a program that didn't stretch over an entire semester. I enrolled in the CNA course, checked that box and had a great experience. Eventually, I was accepted into a nursing program elsewhere - but the waitlist was a year and a half. That's when Pima Medical reached out. They said, "You're an alum and we have a nursing program." It was accelerated and could get me in right away, so I said yes. I completed the Registered Nurse (RN) program and went straight to work as a nurse. My boss had always encouraged me to pursue my Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) and though it was something I wanted to do, I just kept putting it off. I finally enrolled in another school's program but didn't like the structure. They said it was "fully online", but there were group projects and required meetings that didn't fit my schedule. I dropped and gave Pima Medical a shot again. The BSN program was amazing. It was clearly laid out, well-paced and truly online. I had the support I needed but I could also self-guide. Today, I'm the clinic manager for a company that operates 12 occupational health clinics across five states. Plus, I've been accepted into the Master of Science in Organizational Leadership (MSOL) program at Pima Medical. I'm pursuing this advanced degree to grow as a leader and bring more to the table. Pima Medical has always been honest, consistent and structured. If you're a self-starter with a busy schedule, this is the school for you.