Voices of Vital Care

Star Worldwide Networks

Voices of Vital Care is a podcast that demystifies allied health careers by spotlighting the professionals, roles and real-world skills shaping today’s healthcare system through conversations with industry experts and educators.

  1. Aug 13

    Becoming a Veterinary Assistant: What Employers Really Look For

    Loving animals might make you consider a career in veterinary medicine. But what does it really take to become someone an employer wants on their team? In this episode of Voices of Vital Care, we bring together the education and employer perspectives with Dr. Katherine Kerr of Pima Medical Institute and Daria McKay of Humane Colorado. Together, they pull back the curtain on the transition from veterinary student to working professional: what happens when classroom learning meets the realities of a clinic, what employers notice that students may not expect, and why the experiences you have before graduation can shape what happens after it. The conversation also raises an important question for anyone comparing veterinary training programs: Is getting through school faster always the best way to prepare for the career waiting on the other side? And when two new graduates walk into an interview, what might give one an advantage that has nothing to do with technical skill? If you're considering becoming a veterinary assistant or veterinary technician, researching veterinary training programs, or wondering what a career working with animals is really like, this is a conversation worth hearing before you take your next step. About Voices of Vital Care: Voices of Vital Care explores the people, careers and real-world experiences shaping allied health and the future of patient care. The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in this podcast are solely those of the host and guests, and do not necessarily reflect the official policy, stance, or position of Pima Medical Institute. #VeterinaryAssistant #VeterinaryCareers #VetAssistant #VeterinaryTechnician #VetTech #VeterinaryMedicine #AnimalCareCareers #CareerTraining #HealthcareCareers #VoicesOfVitalCare

  2. Aug 6

    From X-Ray Tech to Hospital CEO: Your First Healthcare Job Doesn't Define You

    Can an X-ray tech become the CEO of a hospital? For Meiko Onken, the answer wasn't part of the plan. She didn't set out to become a hospital CEO. She simply kept saying yes to opportunities, learning from every role, and discovering that the career she thought she wanted was only the beginning. In this episode of Voices of Vital Care, Meiko shares the journey that took her from Pima Medical Institute to leading Banner Casa Grande Medical Center. Along the way, she reveals the lessons that changed her perspective on leadership, career growth, mentorship, and what it really takes to build a meaningful career in healthcare. If you're a healthcare student, allied health professional, career changer, or simply wondering where your first job could take you, this conversation may change the way you think about your future. Topics include: • Allied health careers • Radiologic technology • Healthcare leadership • Career growth • Hospital administration • Mentorship • Imposter syndrome • Professional development • Pima Medical Institute • Banner Health About Voices of Vital Care Voices of Vital Care explores the people, professions, and ideas shaping the future of healthcare. Produced in partnership with Pima Medical Institute, each episode features honest conversations with clinicians, educators, employers, and healthcare leaders who are building the next generation of the healthcare workforce. The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in this podcast are solely those of the host and guests, and do not necessarily reflect the official policy, stance, or position of Pima Medical Institute. #VoicesOfVitalCare #HealthcareCareers #AlliedHealth #XRayTech #RadiologicTechnology #HealthcareLeadership #CareerGrowth #HealthcareStudents #HospitalCEO #PimaMedicalInstitute

  3. Jul 30

    What Respiratory Therapists Do and Why Respiratory Care Is Changing | JJ the RT

    What does a respiratory therapist really do? Most people know what nurses and physicians do. Far fewer understand the critical role respiratory therapists play in hospitals every single day. From emergency rooms and ICUs to neonatal care, trauma, critical care transport, pulmonary diagnostics, and life-saving airway management, respiratory therapists are often at the center of medicine's most urgent moments. In this episode of Voices of Vital Care, host Nohelani Graf sits down with JJ Valdez (JJ the RT), respiratory therapist, educator, advocate, and podcast host, for an honest conversation about the profession behind every breath. Together they explore: • What respiratory therapists really do beyond breathing treatments • How JJ accidentally discovered respiratory therapy and found his calling • Why RTs are among the most versatile professionals in healthcare • The emotional reality of caring for critically ill patients • Why respiratory therapists deserve a larger voice in healthcare leadership • The future of respiratory therapy, advanced practice RTs, and new career pathways • How education, storytelling, and advocacy are changing the profession • Why today's RT students have more opportunities than ever before Whether you're considering a career in respiratory therapy, currently working in allied health, or simply curious about the people who care for patients during their most critical moments, this conversation offers a rare inside look at one of healthcare's most impactful professions. Subscribe to Voices of Vital Care for expert conversations on healthcare careers, patient education, disease prevention, and the professionals making a difference every day. About Voices of Vital Care Voices of Vital Care explores the people, professions, and innovations shaping the future of allied healthcare. Through conversations with clinicians, educators, and industry leaders, we help students, professionals, and healthcare employers better understand the careers making a difference every day. The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in this podcast are solely those of the host and guests, and do not necessarily reflect the official policy, stance, or position of Pima Medical Institute. #RespiratoryTherapy #RespiratoryTherapist #AlliedHealth #HealthcareCareers #CriticalCare #RTSchool #HealthcareEducation #MedicalCareers #PatientCare #VoicesOfVitalCare #JJTheRT #RespiratoryCare #PulmonaryCare #HealthcareLeadership #MedicalEducation

  4. Jul 23

    How to Get Hired as a Medical Assistant After Graduation

    Graduation is only the beginning. Landing your first healthcare job takes more than technical skills. It takes confidence, professionalism, preparation, and knowing what employers are looking for. In this episode of Voices of Vital Care, host Nohelani Graf sits down with Suzanne Biggs, Career Services Advisor at Pima Medical Institute and former Medical Assistant and Practice Manager, to talk about what separates graduates who get hired quickly from those who struggle to land their first opportunity. Suzanne shares what it felt like to transition from student to healthcare professional, the biggest surprises she faced in her first Medical Assistant role, and the lessons she now teaches students preparing for their own careers. She also explains how resumes are screened, what interview mistakes cost candidates opportunities, why employers value a growth mindset, and how mentorship and professionalism can shape long term success in healthcare. Whether you're a Medical Assistant student, allied health graduate, career changer, or preparing for your first healthcare interview, this conversation offers practical advice you can use immediately. In this episode: - How to get hired as a Medical Assistant - Medical Assistant interview tips - Resume advice for healthcare graduates - What employers look for in new graduates - Common mistakes that keep candidates from getting hired - Why confidence and professionalism matter - How externships prepare students for real patient care - Building a successful healthcare career from day one - The importance of mentors in healthcare - Career growth opportunities for Medical Assistants Subscribe to Voices of Vital Care for conversations that prepare the next generation of healthcare professionals with real career advice, industry insights, and stories from the people shaping the future of allied health. The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in this podcast are solely those of the host and guests, and do not necessarily reflect the official policy, stance, or position of Pima Medical Institute. #MedicalAssistant #HealthcareCareers #AlliedHealth #MedicalAssistantStudent #CareerAdvice #HealthcareJobs #HealthcareEducation #FirstJob #MedicalAssistantCareer #PimaMedicalInstitute

  5. Jul 16

    Skin Cancer Warning Signs: Check Your Skin Before It's Too Late | Dermatology Expert

    Every year, millions of people are diagnosed with skin cancer, yet many of the earliest warning signs are easy to overlook. In this episode of Voices of Vital Care, dermatologist and physician assistant Julie Silver from East Valley Dermatology explains how to recognize suspicious moles, separate sunscreen myths from facts, and build simple habits that can dramatically reduce your risk. You'll learn why skin cancer is becoming more common in younger adults, how daily sun exposure adds up over time, what the ABCDE rule for melanoma means, and why early detection can save lives. Julie also shares practical advice on choosing sunscreen, protecting your skin during everyday activities, and performing monthly skin checks at home. Beyond prevention, this episode offers a behind-the-scenes look at a dermatology practice and highlights the essential role medical assistants play in patient care, from documenting skin exams and assisting with biopsies to helping detect changes that could lead to an early diagnosis. In this episode:How to recognize the warning signs of skin cancerThe ABCDE guide for spotting melanomaCommon sunscreen myths and what really worksWhy tanning beds dramatically increase your riskHow often you should check your skinTips for protecting children from sun damageThe surprising role medical assistants play in detecting skin cancerWhat happens during a professional skin exam Whether you're protecting your own health, caring for your family, or exploring a career in healthcare, this conversation delivers practical advice that could make a lifelong difference. Subscribe to Voices of Vital Care for expert conversations on healthcare careers, patient education, disease prevention, and the professionals making a difference every day. The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in this podcast are solely those of the host and guests, and do not necessarily reflect the official policy, stance, or position of Pima Medical Institute. #SkinCancer #SkinCancerAwareness #SkinCancerPrevention #Dermatology #Melanoma #SunSafety #Sunscreen #SkinHealth #EarlyDetection #Healthcare #MedicalAssistant #VoicesOfVitalCare #HealthEducation #PatientCare #summersafety

  6. Jul 9

    What Makes an Athlete? Power Soccer, Physical Therapy & the Future of Adaptive Sports

    What makes someone an athlete? A physical therapist assistant instructor and the founder of a competitive wheelchair soccer program say it's not what you'd expect. In this episode of Voices of Vital Care, host Nohelani Graf sits down with Jim Irvin, Lead Instructor in the Physical Therapist Assistant program at Pima Medical Institute, and Tony Jackson, founder of Ability360's Power Soccer program, a competitive team sport played entirely in power wheelchairs. Tony is also a player, head coach, and advocate who just returned from the 2026 US Power Soccer Association Nationals in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Together they unpack what physical therapy looks like day to day, why "mobility" means something completely different on the Power Soccer pitch than it does in a clinic, and how a sport most people have never heard of is pushing toward the Paralympics. In this episode: - What physical therapy really involves, beyond exercise and pain management - Why Tony describes Power Soccer as total freedom - The moment in 2009 that turned Tony from a patient into an athlete - A physical therapy patient's story of learning to walk again in the pool - What separates elite athletes from everyday patients, in training, discipline, and drive - The overlooked skill every Power Soccer player needs (hint: it's not what you think) - How Tony founded the Ability360 Power Soccer program in 2012 - Inside the 2026 US Power Soccer Nationals: 44 teams, one gym, in Fort Wayne, Indiana - The moment from Nationals Tony is most proud of - Why the Paralympics is the next frontier for Power Soccer - Advice for anyone considering a career as a physical therapist assistant Whether you're interested in physical therapy, allied health careers, adaptive sports, disability advocacy, rehabilitation, mobility, Paralympic sports, or sports performance, this conversation offers a powerful perspective on movement, resilience, and human potential. The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in this podcast are solely those of the host and guests, and do not necessarily reflect the official policy, stance, or position of Pima Medical Institute. Voices of Vital Care is a podcast exploring the people and stories behind healthcare, from physical therapy and adaptive sports to the professionals who help others reach their full potential. Guests: Jim Irvin, Lead Instructor, Physical Therapist Assistant Program, Pima Medical Institute Tony Jackson, Founder, Ability360 Power Soccer Program | Ability360 Phoenix Rising Player | Ability360 United Head Coach #PowerSoccer #PhysicalTherapy #AdaptiveSports #WheelchairSports #Paralympics #Ability360 #PTA #VoicesOfVitalCare #WorldCup

  7. Jul 2

    The Air You're Breathing Could Be Damaging | Wildfire Smoke, Ozone & Asthma Explained

    Smoke-filled skies. Wildfire smoke. Dust storms. Ozone alerts. High pollen. If you've looked outside lately and wondered whether it's safe to be outside, you're not alone. In this episode of Voices of Vital Care, host Nohelani Graf sits down with Dr. Cindy Bauer, Division Chief and Medical Director of Allergy & Immunology at Phoenix Children's, to explain what poor air quality is actually doing to your lungs and why children, older adults, and anyone with asthma or allergies are at greater risk. Dr. Bauer explains why ozone has been compared to "sunburning your lungs," how wildfire smoke travels hundreds of miles, why dust storms and pollen can trigger serious breathing problems, and the warning signs parents should never ignore. She also shares practical advice for protecting your family during Air Quality Alert days, including when to stay indoors, whether HEPA air purifiers are worth it, and how to reduce exposure at home. Whether you're dealing with wildfire smoke in the West, ozone alerts in major cities, seasonal allergies, or simply wondering what the Air Quality Index (AQI) means, this conversation provides practical, evidence-based guidance that can help you breathe easier. You'll also learn how Medical Assistants, Respiratory Therapists, nurses, pediatricians, pulmonologists, and allergy specialists work together to care for children with asthma and other respiratory conditions and why these healthcare careers play such a critical role in keeping families healthy. In this episode: What wildfire smoke does to your lungsWhy ozone pollution is so dangerousAir Quality Index (AQI) explainedHow poor air quality affects children differentlyAsthma warning signs every parent should knowWildfire smoke vs. pollen vs. dust stormsAre HEPA air purifiers worth buying?How to protect your family during Air Quality AlertsThe role of Respiratory Therapists and Medical Assistants in respiratory careWhy clean air matters for long-term lung health If this episode helped you better understand today's air quality challenges, subscribe to Voices of Vital Care for conversations with healthcare professionals who are improving lives every day. The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in this podcast are solely those of the host and guests, and do not necessarily reflect the official policy, stance, or position of Pima Medical Institute. #AirQuality #WildfireSmoke #Asthma #RespiratoryHealth #AirPollution #Ozone #AQI #Allergies #PhoenixChildrens #RespiratoryTherapist #MedicalAssistant #HealthcareCareers #VoicesOfVitalCare #Wildfires #DustStorms #LungHealth #ChildHealth #PediatricHealth

  8. Jun 26

    "You Do Belong": An LGBTQ+ Healthcare Leader on Identity, Mentorship & Saving Lives

    June is Pride Month, but this conversation is about something much bigger than a single month. It's about belonging, mentorship, and why healthcare is stronger when everyone feels seen. On this episode of Voices of Vital Care, Nohelani Graf sits down with Dominic Flores, healthcare educator, researcher, LGBTQIA+ advocate, and Career Prep Instructor at Pima Medical Institute. Dominic shares his journey from uncertain high school graduate to healthcare leader, researcher, nonprofit founder, and mentor helping shape the next generation of healthcare professionals. Together, they explore: • What it means to create belonging in healthcare • LGBTQ+ representation and the impact of visibility • Dominic's research on mentorship and early career gay men in healthcare • Why inclusive workplaces improve patient care and healthcare outcomes • The role mentors play in changing lives and careers • How future healthcare professionals can build confidence and resilience • Why compassion, professionalism, and authenticity matter in patient care Whether you're a healthcare student, educator, employer, LGBTQIA+ ally, or someone searching for your place in the world, this episode offers a powerful reminder: you belong, and your voice can make a difference. Featuring Dominic Flores, healthcare educator, researcher, LGBTQ+ advocate, and Career Prep Instructor at Pima Medical Institute. The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in this podcast are solely those of the host and guests, and do not necessarily reflect the official policy, stance, or position of Pima Medical Institute. #PrideMonth #LGBTQHealthcare #HealthcareCareers #Mentorship #HealthcareLeadership #PimaMedicalInstitute #VoicesOfVitalCare #LGBTQIA #AlliedHealth #HealthcareEducation

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About

Voices of Vital Care is a podcast that demystifies allied health careers by spotlighting the professionals, roles and real-world skills shaping today’s healthcare system through conversations with industry experts and educators.

Information

  • Creator
    Star Worldwide Networks
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    26
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Voices of Vital Care
  • Show Website
    Voices of Vital Care