WELCOME HOME ALUMNI

The road to becoming a Physical Therapist Assistant started with my desire to have a marketable career where I could help others every day. After doing my research, I found PMI offered a relatively quick and hassle-free path towards my new career. Having previously gone through some basic education courses in college, I appreciated the format of the program and the ease of not having to manage little things like scheduling classes, finding books, and trying to navigate a large campus. Progressing through my PTA program was probably the most challenging endeavor I have taken on in my life. It seemed like every day brought something new that was outside my comfort zone and challenged me to work harder to achieve my goals. The camaraderie and support of my classmates helped a lot. It was great to see the changes and growth that we all went through during our time at PMI. After graduation, I took a job at an outpatient clinic in New Mexico where I grew professionally. I became involved in the local chapter of the APTA and later served as the NMAPTA PTA Caucus representative. I recently completed my Bachelor's in Health Care Administration through PMI's online program and hope to start working on my Master's soon. My experience at PMI gave me the solid foundation I needed to pursue even loftier career goals. I am a good example of just how much an education can change the course of one's life.

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.

My dad had a bout of pneumonia and ended up on a ventilator and I was fascinated watching the respiratory therapist control my dad's breathing. I'd been working in the auto industry, never thought I was college material, but I my family believed in and motivated me to look into the field. I set up a tour of Pima Medical Institute with the program director and as I saw the facility and listened to her, I fell in love with her passion for respiratory therapy. Being a student at Pima Medical was certainly challenging for me, but the support I had from instructors and classmates was amazing. Our class decided that no one was going to fail, so when someone was struggling with a concept, we all rallied around them. The instructors were always available for extra help and by the time I got to clinicals, I really felt prepared. Prior to graduation I obtained a position with Banner South, a hospital that had been part of my community since I'd been a child. While performing bedside care as a respiratory therapist, I recognized that healthcare doesn't stop at the bedside. I became interested in looking at how, for example, a patient's social economic situation impacted their outcome. Knowing I wanted to make a bigger impact and with the confidence I gained from my time at PMI I went on and continued my education earning my bachelor's in applied management and ultimately my MBA. I navigated my way throughout the healthcare system from beside care, care coordination, to quality improvement. Wanting to be more proactive than reactive, I took a position as Senior Manager of Medicare Administration. We not only looked at how we delivered advantage plan benefits, I'm proud to say we instituted a non-traditional innovative program for our patients. Recently, I accepted a position as Director of Care Delivery Operations for Banner Health Corporate. I recognize that in order for bedside staff to offer their best care, processes and supply have to be in place. I can now play a role in making that happen and that is very exciting! Pima Medical provided the necessary educational and support a guy - who didn't think he was college material - needed in order to have the confidence to be successful. Next step - CEO!

We are a military family and after we were moved from North Carolina to Colorado, I began looking for a path to a career. During my tour of Pima Medical Institute, I saw the Dental Assistant classroom and lab and knew it was the program for me. I am a very hands-on learner and seeing all the equipment just helped me know I was in the right place. While in the program, my husband was on active duty, I was a mom of two little ones and I was pregnant with my third child. It was challenging and lots of sacrifices were made, but they all paid off in the end. My experience in the Dental Assistant program at Pima Medical gave me the confidence, knowledge and tools that I needed to be successful. My first job was at my externship site; they hired me upon completing my externship hours and gave me the position of Lead Dental Assistant. I know my success in my career has been because of the training and mentoring I received from my instructors. Currently, I am at Pacific Dental Services working as a Traveling Specialty Dental Assistant. I am also a full-time student at UCCS (University of Colorado, Colorado Springs) where I am completing my pre-dental prerequisites in hopes of attending Dental School and becoming a dentist. I am thankful for the high standards and patient care my instructors taught me at Pima Medical, because now every patient in my chair is thankful for the knowledge and care I am able to provide them. I had such a great experience at Pima Medical Institute, my husband is currently attending their Veterinary Technician program!

I had a strong desire to become a nurse and was completing prerequisites at a local community college, but the two-year waitlist was too long. Thankfully, I discovered Pima Medical Institute's Phlebotomy program. It was perfect for my busy life as a mother of two. In less than three months, I graduated, secured a job in the medical field and was set up for success. Seeking more, I returned to Pima Medical and enrolled in the 22-month Respiratory Therapy (RT) program. The school's support system and faculty made it an obvious choice. I loved the RT program and was employed for years as a Respiratory Therapist in a hospital and sleep lab setting. I also worked as an autotransfusionist in the operating room. Life took a difficult turn when my husband battled colon cancer, requiring a temporary relocation to Phoenix. During this time, I pursued my dream of a bachelor's degree in Healthcare Administration (BSHCA). When things got really tough and I wanted to quit, the program director encouraged me to keep going. Each faculty member was understanding and compassionate and I'm so grateful they pushed me to finish. My husband's health issues persisted, I knew I had to become the family's breadwinner so I finally pursued my dream and enrolled in the nursing program. Sadly, my husband passed away a month later and I had to drop out. Nearly two years later, I returned to the program and I am now a proud registered nurse (RN) at Banner Hospital. The nursing program was very challenging, but I realize now the faculty are so tough because they truly care about putting good nurses out in the field. I recently introduced my daughter to Pima Medical. Just like I had, she took a tour, met with an advisor, received financial aid information, completed an assessment and scheduled an interview for the Radiography program. I am excited for her and confident that Pima Medical will be an amazing experience, just as it was for me.

After twelve-plus years as a personal trainer, I found myself needing a job with benefits like a 401K and insurance, so I transitioned to a desk job. However, I was miserable and knew I needed a career that left me feeling fulfilled. I reevaluated my passions and realized I still loved working with bodies and physical health. A co-worker who had attended Pima Medical Institute for the Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) program encouraged me to consider it. After researching and learning about the program, I decided to go back to school. Despite my experience, I wasn't initially accepted into the PTA program. Crushed but determined, I quit my desk job and worked as a rehab tech at an assisted living facility for a year. When I reapplied, I was accepted and I set a goal to graduate with honors. At 39, I was older than most of my classmates, but I felt more prepared for the professional aspects. My instructors were great clinicians and I was able to learn and draw on their experiences. My clinicals were challenging, especially when COVID hit, causing disruptions. Despite the added stress, our instructors ensured we gained the necessary practical experience. After graduation, I worked at a skilled nursing facility, which I enjoyed, but quickly experienced burnout. I accepted a Physical Therapist Assistant position at Rocky Mountain Physical Therapy, where I have been thriving. In fact, a year ago I was promoted to Clinic Director. I love my job, my patients and the challenges of managing the clinic. As a clinical instructor, I work with Pima Medical students, drawing on my experiences to engage them in hands-on learning. I'm proud to have graduated with honors and have even inspired a former client of mine to enroll in Pima Medical's Respiratory Therapy program. Now, both of us are medical professionals making a difference in people's lives. It's incredibly fulfilling!

When I decided to become a radiologic technologist, Pima Medical Institute's Radiography (RAD) program stood out to me. Unlike community college, I could start right away, and that was a big draw. The program was challenging, but the friendships I formed with my classmates kept me motivated and accountable. I really enjoyed my instructors, who provided both emotional and professional support. The diversity of my clinical rotations was something I truly appreciated. I had the chance to practice my skills in a variety of settings, from a rural hospital to an orthopedic clinic, a large hospital, and even special procedure rotations. These experiences not only helped me decide which areas of radiography I enjoyed most but also pushed me out of my comfort zone, honing my skill set. My first job was in urgent care, where I was the only tech on site. This role was invaluable for my growth. I had to rely on my education and critical thinking skills to obtain the best images possible. After years of working in different disciplines, I discovered my passion in Interventional Radiology and the Cath Lab. I became the lead tech in a Neuro Endovascular Lab, a role that eventually led me to join Rapid Medical Inc. as a Clinical Specialist. This position has been one of the best things to happen in my career, allowing me to travel, expand my knowledge, and contribute to patient care in a new way. I'm incredibly grateful to Pima Medical Institute for their RAD program and the online Bachelor of Science in Radiologic Sciences (BSRS) program. Both provided a strong foundation that has allowed my career to flourish.

Starting over in a new career later in life was daunting, but my passion for healthcare pushed me forward. I initially enrolled at a local community college to complete prerequisites for a nursing program, only to face a two-year waitlist. Determined to find a quicker path into the medical field, I discovered Pima Medical Institute's Phlebotomy program. This program's accelerated timeline was perfect for my busy life as a stay-at-home mother. In less than three months I gained essential skills and secured a job in the medical field. That first step ignited my passion for healthcare, and after gaining experience as a phlebotomist and clinical lab assistant, I returned to Pima Medical for the 22-month Respiratory Therapy program. My journey wasn't without challenges. The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted my class's clinical rotations, forcing us to transition to remote learning. Balancing studies, work, and family was overwhelming, but I learned to manage my time effectively and prioritize self-care. The instructors, many of whom were industry professionals, provided valuable insights and hands-on learning experiences that prepared me for real-world healthcare settings. As a result of my education, I secured a position at Banner Desert Medical Center, where I have been employed for the past eight years. During the pandemic, I practiced respiratory care under an emergency license, which provided me with critical experience in a high-pressure environment. Currently, I am working in Procurement and have recently been promoted to Test Management Training Coordinator. In this role, I oversee the training processes for new hires, externships, and existing staff members. I am incredibly grateful to my instructors at Pima Medical for their dedication and support. The comprehensive curriculum and hands-on training prepared me for a fulfilling career.

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.