WELCOME HOME ALUMNI

PMI helped me obtain my career in the medical field. A friend of mine was enrolled in their Medical Assistant program and always shared how much she enjoyed going to school. I started to look into the other programs they had to offer and decided on the Pharmacy Technician program. I wasn't sure, but since it was only a nine month course I wasn't losing much time if it wasn't a fit. I ended up loving the program and couldn't wait to start working in the field. My instructor was great and some of my classmates have become my lifelong friends. My externship site gave me the hands on experience I needed and Career Services sent me job leads and helping me find a position. My goal was to work in the hospital setting, so I was very excited when I received a job at University of Colorado Hospital (UCH). I started as a float until I learned all the different positions. Then I began working in the Operating Room (OR) pharmacy where I would make the medications and bring them to the anesthesiologists, nurses, and doctors while they were in surgery. After about a year of working in the OR, I transferred back to the central pharmacy and became a PYXIS technician, refilling the medications in the PYXIS machines on the units for the nurses. After three years, I was promoted to Pharmacy Compliance Officer. Now, I make sure UCH is compliant with the State Board of Pharmacy (SBOP) and USP 797. I am currently enrolled in school to pursue my bachelors in business and hope to continue moving up within the company at UCH.

I have been working as a Respiratory Therapist since 2002. In 2008, I was promoted to manager of the Respiratory Department at Tippah County Hospital in Ripley, MS. I loved what I was doing, but I knew I wanted to further my education by obtaining a bachelor's degree. In 2014, I came across some information about Pima Medical Institute on Facebook. I did more research, not really knowing what to expect, and found all of my college classes would transfer and I wouldn't need any prerequisites to begin the bachelor's program. It was such an effortless process to apply and get accepted that within 2 days I was ready to begin my new program. I had never taken an online class before and was quite nervous. But, the program was set up so I only had to take 2 classes at a time and assignments were clearly laid out so they were easily accomplished. The instructors were amazing and were always very responsive to my emails with questions. I was able to continue to work full time and be a mom to my 2 boys and a wife to my husband of 13 years. Seeing how proud they were of me made it all worth it. I graduated with honors in 2016. I am still the Director of Respiratory at my facility and I have no plans to leave. But should I choose to pursue something else, I know many doors will be open thanks to my BSRT degree from PMI.

At a young age I had the opportunity to shadow a veterinarian, Dr. Katherine Parks, and my passion was ignited! Each spring break I continued to visit her clinic and during that time I made the decision to become a Veterinary Technician (VT). I had no interest in attending a four-year college as I was career driven and was anxious to get out and work in the field. I loved the VT program at Pima Medical Institute! It was encouraging and exciting to be surrounded by fellow students who all shared my passion. I appreciated the atmosphere created by our instructors and the hands-on experience. Unfortunately, I was in a rollover accident, was bedridden and had to miss a whole sequence of classes. It was difficult being away from Pima Medical and all my classmates, but my instructors were so supportive when I was able to return. However soon after, COVID hit and we were forced to go remote. I was so discouraged, but I was able to begin shadowing at my future externship site while taking online classes and upon graduation they offered me a position. I passed my VTNE exam in October of 2020 to become a certified VT. I am currently the second lead tech and am in charge of employee training and inventory; having assisted in establishing new protocols and the purchase of updated equipment. I attend every continuing education event I can get my hands on and I love learning. Veterinary medicine can take me anywhere and I am up for the challenge. Down the road I can even see myself as an instructor in a VT program. I am grateful for Pima Medical and my instructors who provided me with an education that has led to my continued success and allowed my dreams to become reality.

I started my medical career at Pima Medical Institute more than 16 years ago when I enrolled in the Medical Assistant (MA) program. I felt very connected and comfortable in the program and I developed both personal and professional skills. This led to my decision to return to Pima Medical to complete the online bachelor's degree in Health Care Administration (BSHCA) and my current enrollment in the Master of Science in Organizational Leadership (MSOL) program. Pima Medical really does feel like family. Throughout my programs I faced many obstacles in my personal life. But with strong family support and wonderful instructors, I was able to stay on track, keep going and not give up. As a fulltime employee, student, and mother it's important to have a work/life balance. Pima Medical offers flexible courses to make this all possible. I work at Valleywise Health Hospital, home to the biggest Refugee Health Medical Center in Phoenix. As a Clinical Research Coordinator in the OB-GYN Department, I coordinate final research projects for 38 Resident MD's from Creigton University. I assist in the development of their study protocols by formulating their study plan, and I am building a team and implementing new strategies for more efficiency in the program. Upon completion of my master's degree, I plan to begin a doctoral program in Health Care Administration. My goal is to one day run organizations that improve the health of disadvantaged populations such as high-risk poverty, social exclusion, and low-income families. My education at Pima Medical has strengthened my problem-solving skills, critical thinking and communication skills. I apply these in my profession today and my leadership team has praised me for this. I am proof of how Pima Medical Institute can propel to be success in the medical field.

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.

After graduating from high school in Rio Rico, I moved to Tucson to attend a community college, but it just wasn't the right place for me. One of my friends had gone to Pima Medical Institute, and after checking out their Medical Assistant (MA) program, I thought-this is perfect! The program was fast, flexible, and had no wasted classes. Since there were options for morning, afternoon or evening classes, I was able to continue working while attending school. At just 19 years of age, I graduated with my certificate and started working in a "grown up job" while most of my friends were still in college. I knew I had made the right choice. I landed a job at Catalina Pediatrics where I worked as an MA for 13 years, eventually becoming the back-office manager. Wanting more, I considered nursing, but a co-worker suggested I look into Respiratory Therapy (RT). When I found out Pima Medical had an RT program, I knew it was for me. The classes were challenging, but my instructors were supportive, and my classmates and I helped each other through the program. The biggest challenge I faced was during my ICU rotation, when COVID hit and we were sent home. After graduating, I saw a job opening at Banner Main as Program Manager for their Sleep Research Lab. I applied, and got the job! It was a tough first year learning the ins and outs of research, but now I love the responsibility and even the pressure. If I hadn't gone back to school for RT, I wouldn't be where I am today, with a job I love. My advice? Whether you're 19 or 39, go to school. Pima Medical gave me opportunities I never imagined, and it can do the same for you!

I had been working at a grocery store for 12 years when I decided it was time for a change. I hadn't been in school in a very long time and wasn't quite ready to commit to a four-year university. When I found Pima Medical Institute, it felt like the right fit for me in my stage of life. I chose the nine-month Medical Assistant (MA) program because I viewed it as a great stepping stone into a career in the medical field. I really enjoyed my time at Pima Medical. It was exciting to be in a learning environment surrounded by students who were all motivated to succeed. My biggest challenge was balancing full-time work with evening classes while still finding time to study. It wasn't easy, but I did it! The thing I appreciated most about Pima Medical was the genuine commitment to student success. There was always help available whenever I had questions or needed support. Because of that, I walked out of the program feeling prepared and confident in my new profession. Upon graduation, I quickly found a job and began working as a Medical Assistant with Providence in family practice, where I stayed for six years. Currently, I work for Optum Primary Care, continuing my career in family medicine. While at Providence, I had the opportunity to be a preceptor in the apprentice program, and I hope to take on that role again at Optum in the future. Educating and mentoring others is a passion of mine, and I look forward to continuing to make a difference in the field of healthcare.

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.

I wanted to be a Radiologic Technologist and Pima Medical Institute offered a fantastic radiography program with great reviews. My friend who mentored x-ray students at the hospital she worked at offered me the best advice: "choose Pima Medical Institute!" I had a smooth learning experience as all the teachers wanted the students to succeed and to excel in the medical field. I took advantage of Arizona grants to help me pay for schooling and the financial officer guided me through that with ease. At Pima Medical Institute, I was taught to put myself out there, whether it's stepping into a learning opportunity or jumping in to help a teammate. Seven years later, that lesson has stayed with me, and it's something my coworkers continue to notice. Pima Medical Institute offered a job fair where I met multiple companies interested in new grads, so I started at SimonMed. I worked for an orthopedic doctor for six years in x-ray, then I furthered my learning through an online program to train in MRI, which is what I'm doing now at a children's hospital. I would recommend the school 100%! I have told people over the years not to put themselves on a waitlist for other schools and instead go to Pima Medical Institute! I had the best experience there and I felt like the teachers really cared for their students.