Karen always wanted to become a medical professional. She would sit in the parking lot at Pima Medical and watch the students enter the campus until one asked her why she was waiting to go inside. He encouraged her to go in and the rest, as they say, is history.
Taking that first step on a new path can be very scary, but it can also become the opportunity that will change your life. Learn how Karen went from a mom working in a call center to a director overseeing thirty-eight medical assistants.
Karen’s story in her own words is below.
“At the age of 16, I became pregnant and had to drop out of high school. Later, I attended a program for teen moms and graduated as their valedictorian. But, my attempts to attend college were futile and I soon had another child and began working at a call center. My desire to be a medical professional never left me, and on my way home from work, I started driving past Pima Medical where I would sit in the parking lot watching students come and go. I just couldn’t get up the nerve to go inside. As a result of my emotionally unstable relationship, I did not feel worthy or capable of anything. One day, a student walking near my car dropped all his books and papers. I jumped out of the car to help him and he looked me in the eye and said, “You’ve been sitting out here every day for a month – what are you waiting for?” God speaks in mysterious ways. I went inside and signed up for the Medical Assistant program.
It was difficult working, going to school and caring for my children. I knew I had to leave Albuquerque because of my unstable relationship, so Pima Medical arranged an externship for me in Phoenix. My instructors and classmates not only helped me pack, they raised money to help fund the move for me and my kids.
I was offered a position during my externship. I became the lead assistant quickly and then their office manager. After a few years, I moved to Scottsdale Physicians Group where I am a director over 38 other MA’s. I am continuing my education in Pima Medical’s online Healthcare Administration program with plans to complete my bachelor’s degree. I am still breaking the cycle. Pima Medical transformed my life both personally and professionally!”
If it’s time for a change, the Medical Assistant program might be the right path for you and you can be working in healthcare in as little as nine months. Like Karen, you can start with the Medical Assistant program and continue your education with the Healthcare Administration associate degree online. All it takes is that first step to get started. We’ll help you with the rest.
