WELCOME HOME ALUMNI

Although my mom, grandma, and aunt were all nurses, and my brother was a doctor, I had no intention of going into the nursing field. That all changed when I was working as a transporter, after taking the same patient for treatment every day for a week, she asked if I could come with her when she met with her doctor. That experience showed me I wanted to help and take care of people. I began my medical career with on the job training and eventually becoming a certified anesthesia technician. I had been on a waiting list for a nursing program for 3 years when a friend told me about Pima Medical Institute's program. I was able to start right away and the smaller classes and knowledgeable instructors made it a perfect fit for me! A week before school started, I had a house fire, so for the first 9 months I ended up living in a hotel. Although it was very tough, I always had the sense that the instructors wanted me to succeed, not because they wanted the school to look good, but because they cared about me as a person. Since graduating I've been working at St Joseph's Hospital as a surgical nurse. I plan to get my bachelor's degree. I'm even considering continuing on to become a nurse anesthetist. I'm so thankful to all my instructors for sacrificing their time and energy to make me the best nurse they could. I'd highly recommend PMI's nursing program. It may have been a winding road, but I'd definitely do it all over again.

For 20 years I worked in the food industry. In 2016 I took the steps to get my GED and start my life. I attended a semester and at a community college and realized that it was not for me. I left there one day and walked into Pima Medical Institute in tears not knowing what I was doing or where I was going with my life. That is when I met Renee, my admissions advisor. She took me into her arms hugged me and showed me the compassion and love that I needed. She helped me enroll in the Pharmacy Technician program and I started my new life on January 8, 2018. My instructor is the most compassionate person and has been my biggest support through the program. She was even instrumental in helping me obtain my job at Fry's Pharmacy while I was still in school. The teaching and knowledge I received while at Pima Medical Institute has made me the person that I am today and I feel so blessed. I am becoming the person that I have always wanted to be. I'm educated, successful, and compassionate towards others and a knowledgeable person. I am so thankful for my success. I am 37 years of age and I have been in such a rut, not knowing where I am going with my life. But all that has changed. I want to say thank you to everyone at PMI! They went above and beyond to teach me how to become a successful Pharmacy Technician. My externship site has already offered me a job and I am excited to see what the future holds.

My mother had a neuromuscular disease called Myasthenia Gravis, which resulted in her needing to be intubated and trached throughout her life, so I was familiar with respiratory. At age 19, I started my career path in the medical field as a transporter at Sunrise Hospital. As I worked with and observed the Respiratory Therapists (RT), I began to understand the importance of their profession. I knew then, this was the career for me, so I enrolled in Pima Medical Institute's RT program. I appreciated the support from both administration and instructors and their belief that I could become a productive member of the RT community. My classmates provided support throughout the rigorous program and there was a great camaraderie among us. I remember having study sessions, gatherings, and cookouts in the parking lot with the faculty, staff and students. Having the opportunity to work in professional clinical settings while in school provided the perspective I needed and upon graduation, I was promoted to a full-time Respiratory Therapist at my hospital. I also worked with University Medical Center (UMC). I continued my education in Pima Medical's Bachelor of Science in Respiratory Therapy (BSRT) and then went on to complete my Master's Degree in Business Administration at Columbia Southern University. I am still employed with UMC as their Senior Respiratory Therapist and I have been a Clinical Instructor for Pima Medical Institute's Las Vegas Campus since 2016. My eventual goal is to move into hospital administration becoming a VP or COO. I am very thankful for Pima Medical Institute. Anything worth having is worth working for, and true education is what you are willing to put into it whether you're at Yale, Harvard or Pima Medical. Therefore, always attempt to set the standard of excellence in everything you do and everything you love.

When I was in high school, I wanted to become a doctor, but life happened and I spent the next 15 years doing what I thought I had to do, instead of pursuing what I loved. After my grandfather passed away in 2017, I spent four years caring for my grandmother. During this time, I realized I needed to follow my dream. I felt as though it was too late to become a doctor- as I would be 60 by the time I finished- but my research showed there were many alternative positions needed in the healthcare field. I was familiar with their reputation, so I chose Pima Medical Institute for my education. I appreciate how they exclude unnecessary classes that are typical of traditional colleges and universities, and on day one teach key concepts and skills that will be used in the field. I attended and graduated from the Nursing Assistant program and obtained my license as a CNA. My externship really opened my eyes to just how well-prepared Pima Medical makes you for the workplace. Despite the higher cost of attending, I was very impressed with how quickly they were able to get me into the program versus other schools. Wanting to do more and have more responsibility, I enrolled in the Medical Assistant (MA) program. For my externship, I was placed at a pediatric site that fit my skills and personality and ended up being offered an MA position at the end. I have decided it's not time to stop learning. I am currently enrolled in the online Healthcare Administration program to obtain my associate's degree by next March and my bachelor's degree the following year. For anyone interested in working in the medical field, I highly recommend Pima Medical. My instructors were encouraging and attentive to my learning style and taught me the important concepts of healthcare. I want to thank everyone at Pima Medical for my success and continued education, especially Misty Byrnes and Allie Settles.

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.

I was looking for a change from my previous jobs in food service and explored various community colleges in Seattle. After considering culinary arts, I decided to pursue a healthcare career where I knew jobs were more in demand. I chose Pima Medical Institute because the stories from previous graduates resonated with me. They were just like me, seeking change and career advancement. Despite having no prior knowledge or experience in pharmacy, I chose the Pharmacy Technician program to challenge myself. My experience at Pima Medical was fun and engaging. The courses, from Career Prep to the Pharmacy Technician classes, were well planned. I learned everything I needed to succeed. The biggest challenge was balancing homework and projects with a full-time job, but it was worth it. The support from the staff at Pima's Renton campus was invaluable. The admissions and financial aid advisors helped me with my FAFSA, easing my financial worries. My Career Prep instructor made learning exciting and engaging. The staff provided support and organized stress-relieving activities like the Halloween costume contest. My instructor imparted all the pharmacy knowledge I needed and now apply daily in my work. Since graduating from Pima Medical in 2018, I worked at ReadyMeds for nearly four years and I've spent the last several years working as a Specialty Pharmacy Technician at Kaiser Permanente of Washington. I highly recommend Pima Medical Institute for the support and programs they offer to help you achieve your goals and succeed in your career. Now I'm one of those graduates sharing my story to inspire others!

My mom had been a nurse in the Philippines, but after moving to the US she cared for us and began working as a phlebotomist. This influenced my decision to go into the medical field after high school. On a whim one day, I stopped by Pima Medical Institute and ended up enrolling in the three-month Phlebotomy program which started two weeks later. It was fast paced and very different from high school as students were all ages and yet we were all looking for a change or a new career. Even though our time together was short, it felt like family. My first job was with a blood donation company and after moving to eastern Washington, I worked at a hospital. This gave me a variety of experiences and built my confidence and I later transitioned into dialysis. I knew I eventually wanted to become a Medical Assistant (MA) and even though Pima Medical was a long commute, I had confidence in them so I enrolled in the MA program. I was pregnant, worked full time and had a long commute each day, but I did it! I feel like Pima Medical helped shape me into a resilient person. After graduation I worked at a hospital and a few other sites as an MA. But it wasn't long before I began to envision myself in administration, so I chose to complete the Health Care Administration online associate degree. That program gave me so much confidence and I loved it. After graduating, I saw an opening for a Career Services Advisor at Pima Medical, applied, and got the job. Now, I get to guide students and share my journey with them. Watching them grow reminds me of my own transformation. Pima Medical has been a constant in my life, and I'm proud to be part of a team that changes lives every day.

After high school, I spent four years juggling two jobs-one at Office Max and the other at a bakery-when one day, my aunt called and asked if I wanted to go back to school with her. I had no idea what she meant, but I agreed. That's how I found Pima Medical Institute. I chose the Medical Assistant (MA) program because, when my dad was ill, I saw firsthand the impact healthcare professionals can have on a person's life. I wanted to do that too, and the program was only nine months long, which made it a perfect fit for me. I loved every minute of the MA program! The hands-on training felt so different from high school, and I found myself excited to learn. In particular, I discovered I had a passion for injections and blood draws. When it was time for my externship, I was nervous, but my head MA was incredibly supportive, and I quickly found that it all came naturally to me. Toward the end of the program our homework assignment was to apply for three MA positions. Afterwards, I didn't think much about it, but to my surprise, Saguaro Dermatology called and hired me. Dermatology is fast-paced and challenging, but I love it. My favorite part is working with skin cancers and assisting in surgeries. I also enjoy my role in the lab, processing tissue samples as a histotech. Since relocating to Tucson, I easily found another dermatology position, and I couldn't be happier. Pima Medical set me on a path I'm truly passionate about, and I'd do it all over again. If you're thinking about a medical career, don't hesitate-come to Pima Medical. You won't regret it!

I always knew I wanted a career in healthcare but wasn't sure which path to take. While working as a certified nursing assistant (CNA), I met a patient receiving Occupational Therapy (OT). I had never heard of OT before, but it intrigued me. After some research, I discovered the wide range of opportunities in the field, especially working with children. I was hooked! That's when I found Pima Medical Institute's Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) program. My time at Pima Medical was incredible. My cohort was fun and supportive, and the instructors were knowledgeable and kind. There were challenges along the way, like COVID delays during clinicals, but I never regretted my decision. The hands-on learning experiences truly prepared me for the field. After graduation, I pursued my dream of working with children and was hired at Piller Child Development. Knowing I wanted to eventually attend graduate school, I enrolled in Pima Medical's Bachelor of Science in Health Care Administration (BSHCA) program. The program was quick, flexible, and allowed me to balance work, school, and life. Now, I'm working as a Pediatric Occupational Therapy Assistant with Mariposa Therapy Services, supporting children in schools, while attending Northern Arizona University to earn my Doctor of Occupational Therapy. I've developed a passion for feeding therapy, including sensory-based treatments and lactation consulting. My ultimate goal is to open my own feeding therapy practice. I'm so excited for the future, and I'm grateful to Pima Medical for giving me the foundation to build a career I love.