Pima Medical Institute is proud to announce two of its Medical Assistant students from the Renton, Wash., campus – Ashlyn Malmstrom and Jennifer Kieffer – recently took home the top prize at the Medical Assistant Student Challenge Bowl held in Kansas City on July 10.
The competition was part of the American Medical Technologists’ (AMT) annual Educational Program and National Meeting. Medical professionals in the laboratory and medical assistant professions gather for the annual event, where they discuss advances in healthcare, technology, trends and other topics.
During the conference, students from Pima Medical Institute’s Renton and Seattle campuses, as well as students from Northwest Career College and National Park College, competed in the AMT Medical Assistant Student Challenge Bowl. Malmstrom and Kieffer ended up winning the competition and taking home the trophy.
“The competition was a ton of fun. It was competitive, but I felt like we were very well prepared. It was also really cool to meet the other teams we competed against,” Malmstrom said. “We stayed after school twice a week to practice and study for the AMT competition.”
Kieffer said the experience was valuable because it’s helped her feel more prepared to take the actual AMT exam, which allows medical assistants to become certified. She hopes to work in pediatrics and continue her education once she graduates in a few months.
“Pima Medical is a fast-paced school that helps you get into the medical field,” she said. “I chose the Medical Assistant program because I am interested in nursing and it’s a great stepping stone for me to get there.”
Malmstrom would also like to work in pediatrics and wants to earn a bachelor degree in nursing.
“I am so thankful for the opportunity that Pima Medical Institute and the AMT gave us to participate in this competition. To go on and actually win first place made this experience truly indescribable and unlike any other,” Malmstrom said.
Pima Medical Institute Medical Assistant instructor Michelle Adams from the Renton campus accompanied them and helped them prepare for the competition.
“It was an awesome experience. And now more students are taking the AMT exam earlier,” Adams said. “It brought everyone together and now all of our students are utilizing the tutoring services available.”
Media Contact
Elizabeth Baker
Public Relations and Communications Specialist
480-610-6068
ebaker@pmi.edu
Pima Medical Institute
Pima Medical Institute is a private, accredited school dedicated to providing students classroom studies paired with real-world training at medical facilities. Established in 1972, Pima Medical Institute helps students become career ready, focusing exclusively on health care professions, including medical, dental, veterinary and nursing fields. Curriculum includes certificate, associate degree and bachelor’s degree programs, ranging from nursing, medical assistant and radiology technician to veterinary assistant and dental hygienist.
Pima Medical Institute operates 17 campuses as well as an extensive online curriculum. The medical career college has a presence in eight western states with ground locations in Albuquerque, N.M.; Tucson, Phoenix and Mesa, Ariz.; Denver and Colorado Springs, Colo.; Seattle and Renton, Wash.; Las Vegas, N.V.; Houston and El Paso, Texas; Chula Vista, Calif.; and Dillon, Mont. For more information and a complete list of programs offered at each campus, visit pmi.edu or call 1-888-442-5998.