Pima Medical Institute’s Phoenix Campus Celebrates Graduates with Unconventional Commencement Event
Nearly 300 students received their certificates and degrees in person, while following CDC guidelines and campus protocols
PHOENIX (March 21, 2021) – Pima Medical Institute’s Phoenix campus recently hosted a graduation ceremony for students from its seven certificate and three associate degree programs. Throughout the pandemic, many graduation ceremonies have been put on hold, moved to a virtual experience, or not held at all. Faculty and staff at the Phoenix campus wanted to recognize their graduates, and they put their heads together to come up with a plan that would make an in-person event possible. The goal was to find a way for students to receive their degrees while still following CDC guidelines and Pima Medical’s safety protocols.
Thanks to a large parking lot at the Phoenix campus and the ingenuity of the faculty and staff- an outdoor graduation ceremony that provided space for family and friends to attend while safely staying physically distant was born. Graduates were dropped off to line up with their respective program and families were able to park and stay safely in their vehicles to watch the event. The campus also provided a livestream of each program graduation for those unable to attend in person.
“Our team worked hard to come up with a way that we could safely provide an environment where our students, their family and friends and our faculty and staff could celebrate the accomplishment that is graduation,” said Stacey Nottingham, campus director, Pima Medical Institute, Phoenix campus. “This day was a great example of the tenacity of our faculty and staff as well as the dedication of our students, who despite much uncertainty completed their programs.”
Beginning at 9:00 a.m. with ceremonies on the hour throughout the day, 274 students were able to walk across the stage and accept their hard-earned degree. Family and friends cheered on the graduates safely from trucks and cars parked drive-in style. The mood was one of celebration. Many students said they were grateful to be able to take part in the day.
“With so many other graduations moving to online, virtual or not at all, I love the fact that I could walk on the stage with the pomp and circumstance,” said Nicole Glashoff, Sterile Processing Technician certificate program graduate. “It was great, the effort and work the campus put into this. We earned it and it was great to be able to celebrate that.”
Glashoff is already employed and said she has Pima Medical to thank for that.
“We are so proud of all our graduates, and we are thrilled that we could create an environment for them to celebrate safely and be recognized for the hard work they put in, added Nottingham. “While we hope we are nearing the end of this pandemic, we know we can offer our students a graduation ceremony either way.”
Pima Medical’s Phoenix campus, which opened in 2015, serves Glendale, Peoria, Sun City, Goodyear, Scottsdale and other nearby western Phoenix cities. The Phoenix location, like all campuses, provides hands-on learning opportunities with instructors who are focused on preparing students for success in a real-world medical career.
About Pima Medical Institute
Pima Medical Institute is an employee-owned, 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 healthcare professions, including medical, dental, veterinary and nursing fields. Curriculum includes certificate, associate, bachelor’s and master’s degree programs.
Pima Medical Institute operates 18 campuses as well as an extensive online curriculum. The medical career college has a presence in eight western states with the following ground locations: Albuquerque and Albuquerque West – Rio Rancho in N.M.; Tucson, Phoenix and two campuses in Mesa, Ariz.; Aurora, Denver and Colorado Springs, Colo.; Seattle and Renton, Wash.; Las Vegas, N.V.; Houston, El Paso and San Antonio, Texas; Chula Vista and San Marcos, 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.
Media Contact: Diane Smith | dismith@pmi.edu | c: 480-320-0142