Voices of Vital Care

Pima Medical Institute

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. 3d ago

    Behind Every Prescription: The Critical Work of Pharmacy Technicians

    What does a pharmacy technician really do? Most people think of counting pills and filling prescriptions, but the reality is far more critical. In this episode of Voices of Vital Care, certified pharmacy technician and instructor Ben Montoya shares how pharmacy technicians help prevent medication errors, protect patient safety, prepare life-saving IV medications, and support healthcare teams every day.  With more than 30 years of pharmacy experience and nearly two decades educating future healthcare professionals, Ben pulls back the curtain on one of healthcare's most overlooked careers. He explains the difference between certification and licensure, the importance of pharmacy technician training, how technology is transforming the field, and why pharmacy technicians are becoming indispensable partners in modern healthcare.  Whether you're exploring healthcare careers, considering pharmacy technician certification, or simply curious about what happens behind the pharmacy counter, this conversation offers an inside look at a profession that impacts millions of patients every day. In this episode: • What pharmacy technicians really do behind the scenes • How medication errors are prevented • The role of pharmacy technicians in patient safety • Retail pharmacy vs. hospital pharmacy careers • Pharmacy technician certification and the PTCB exam • Externships, hands-on training, and career readiness • Future opportunities in pharmacy technology • The skills that lead to success in healthcare careers • Why pharmacy technicians are the backbone of modern pharmacies Subscribe to Voices of Vital Care for conversations with healthcare professionals, educators, and industry leaders helping shape 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.

    41 min

  2. May 28

    Breaking Stereotypes in Healthcare | Men in Medical Assisting & Dental Assisting

    Ahead of Men’s Health Month, Voices of Vital Care sits down with Aiden Bender and Maurice Gabriel to talk about why more men are needed in healthcare, the realities of stepping into female dominated medical fields, and how empathy, confidence, and human connection can change lives.  From medical assisting and dental assisting to conversations around men avoiding checkups, colon cancer awareness, patient trust, and breaking stereotypes in allied health careers, this episode explores the future of healthcare through the eyes of two students preparing to make an impact.  Whether you’re considering a career in healthcare, exploring accelerated allied health programs, or looking for an honest conversation about men’s health, this is an episode you don’t want to miss.  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.

    39 min

  3. May 21

    Veterinary Assistant Career: Animal Rescue, Shelter Medicine & Community Pet Care

    What does it really take to work in veterinary care beyond the exam room?  In this powerful episode of Voices of Vital Care, Veterinary Assistant graduate Berenice Lucero shares the emotional reality of animal rescue, shelter medicine, community outreach, and affordable veterinary care in Phoenix, Arizona.  From helping families avoid surrendering their pets to working with the Arizona Animal Welfare League during overcrowded shelter crises, Berenice reveals the unseen side of veterinary assistant careers, preventive pet care, animal advocacy, and the growing demand for compassionate professionals in veterinary medicine.  If you're interested in becoming a veterinary assistant, working with animals, animal shelters, pet rescue, veterinary school, or learning how hands on training can lead to a meaningful healthcare career, this episode offers an honest look inside the field.  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.

    55 min

  4. May 14

    Healthcare Jobs in Under 12 Months? Admissions Experts Explain the Real Options

    Do you really need a four year degree to start a meaningful healthcare career? In this episode of Voices of Vital Care, admissions leaders from Pima Medical Institute break down the growing shift toward career focused healthcare education and why more students are exploring alternatives to the traditional college path. From medical assistant and dental programs to hands on healthcare training, Amanda Mariani and Bree Fulp discuss what today’s students are struggling with most: uncertainty, pressure, debt, fear of failure, and trying to figure out life at 18 years old. This conversation explores: • Healthcare careers that can start in under 12 months • Why hands on learners thrive in career-based education • The pressure high school students face after graduation • Flexible education options for working adults and parents • How students can stack certificates into higher healthcare degrees • Why support systems and accountability matter in healthcare training • Common mistakes students make when choosing a career path • How admissions teams help students navigate finances, schedules, transportation, and life responsibilities Whether you're a high school student, parent, career changer, or someone exploring healthcare careers for the first time, this episode offers insight into education paths many people never knew existed. Voices of Vital Care explores the real people, pathways, and professions shaping the future of healthcare. 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.

    30 min

  5. May 7

    Inside Nursing School: Life, Pressure & Purpose | Nurses Week

    What happens when a patient stops breathing… and everyone in the room looks to the nurse? In this powerful Nurses Week special of Voices of Vital Care, Nursing Program Director Jennifer Morelli takes us inside the real pressure, responsibility, and emotional weight nurses carry every day. From simulation labs and clinical rotations to life-or-death moments at bedside, this episode reveals what nursing school is really like, how students are trained to stay calm under pressure, and why compassion matters just as much as clinical skill. You’ll hear: What nurses are thinking during emergenciesHow nursing students are trained for real-world patient careThe emotional reality of becoming a nurseWhy communication and confidence save livesThe truth about accelerated nursing programsCareer paths in nursing most people don’t know existWhether you're considering nursing school, exploring healthcare careers, or celebrating a nurse this Nurses Week, this conversation offers a real look into the people behind 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.

    33 min

  6. Apr 30

    Your Pet Stops Breathing. Do You Know What To Do? | Pet CPR That Could Save Their Life

    If your dog or cat collapsed right in front of you, would you know what to do in the first 60 seconds? Most pet owners wouldn’t—and those first moments can mean everything.  In this powerful episode of Voices of Vital Care, we sit down with a former first responder turned pet CPR instructor Kate Klasen of Bishop’s Mission, to break down the life-saving skills every pet parent needs but almost no one has.  From recognizing critical warning signs to performing CPR correctly based on your pet’s size, this conversation delivers practical, real-world guidance you can act on immediately.  You’ll learn how to assess emergencies, what vital signs to watch, how to build a pet first aid kit, and the biggest mistakes people make when panic sets in. Beyond the techniques, this episode reveals something deeper. How knowledge creates confidence, and how everyday people can step up in life-or-death moments for the animals they love. Whether you’re a pet owner, considering a path in animal care, or exploring healthcare-adjacent careers, this episode shows how purpose, preparation, and quick action can make all the difference. Don’t wait until it’s too late. Take 10 minutes today to learn something that could save your pet’s life. Hit subscribe, share this with a fellow pet owner, and start preparing now—because in an emergency, you won’t have time to figure it out. 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. LINK TO ANIMAL Baseline Temps:  https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ZjMrQL8DmEgjdYcPvdOKyNnEZztbhB8/view?usp=sharing

    46 min

  7. Apr 23

    Dental Hygiene Isn’t What You Think | High-Paying Healthcare Career with Real Impact

    What if dental hygiene isn’t just about cleanings, but about preventing disease, building patient trust, and changing lives? In this episode of Voices of Vital Care, we sit down with Dr. Kimberly Peacher,  Dean of Academic Innovation for Dental Hygiene at Pima Medical Institute in Houston, to uncover the truth about one of healthcare’s most misunderstood careers. From her unexpected journey into the field to the powerful connection between oral health and whole-body wellness, this conversation reveals why dental hygienists play a critical role in modern healthcare, and why demand is growing fast. You’ll learn: Why dental hygiene is more than “just cleanings”How oral health connects to conditions like diabetes and systemic diseaseThe real day-to-day experience of working closely with patientsHow you can enter the field faster than traditional healthcare pathsWhy this career offers flexibility, stability, and long-term growthWhat kind of person thrives in this professionWhether you're exploring a career in allied health, considering a pivot, or simply curious about opportunities beyond nursing and medicine, this episode breaks down a path you may not have considered, but should. If you’ve been thinking about healthcare but don’t know where to start, this might be your sign. Take the next step. Do the research. Make the call. Your future could start here. If you’re the kind of person who wants a career that matters, this is your channel. Subscribe and start building that future. 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.

    25 min

  8. Apr 16

    The Hidden Careers Behind Every Hospital Visit | Blake Bowen’s Journey

    Most people think healthcare is all doctors and nurses. But behind every patient visit is an entire system of professionals making care possible. In this episode of Voices of Vital Care, we explore non-clinical healthcare careers like medical administrative assistants, healthcare administration, and leadership roles that keep the entire system running. Blake Bowen, a four-time graduate and healthcare leader of Pima Medical Institute, shares how he built his career from the front office to owning his own company. From scheduling and insurance coordination to strategy and system design, this conversation reveals how non-clinical roles directly impact patient care, operations, and the future of healthcare. If you are interested in healthcare but do not see yourself in a clinical role, this episode will open your eyes to new career paths, growth opportunities, and leadership potential. You will learn: What non-clinical healthcare careers really look like day to dayHow medical administrative assistants and healthcare leaders impact patient outcomesThe career path from entry-level roles to executive leadershipWhy healthcare systems depend on behind-the-scenes professionalsHow to know if a non-clinical healthcare career is right for youHealthcare does not run on titles. It runs on people who organize, lead, and make care possible. Stop guessing your next move. Subscribe and start exploring real healthcare careers that go beyond what you see on the surface. 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.

    36 min
See All (17)

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
    Pima Medical Institute
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    17
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Voices of Vital Care
  • Show Website
    Voices of Vital Care