Pima Medical Institute Puts Sole Into Asthma Walk



The folks at Pima Medical Institute, 957 S. Dobson Road in Mesa are ready to put their "soles" into the fight against lung disease as students, staff and faculty prepare to raise funds for the American Lung Association's Asthma Walk. Last year, the career college raised more than $8,000 in donations and PMI's corporate office donated an additional $7,000.

This year's event will take place Saturday, April 5 at the Scottsdale Civic Center, 3839 N. Drinkwater Blvd in Scottsdale. Registration is 8 a.m. and the walk begins at 9 a.m. In addition to those who will be walking at the event, PMI students will be involved in other activities such as: free body massages for volunteers performed by PMI's Massage Therapy students; a Doggy Station with doggy treats and water manned by the Veterinary Assistant students for the dogs who will be accompanying the walkers, as well as free blood pressure checks performed by the Medical Assistant students.

This year the Mesa campus hopes to raise $10,000 for the event. Proceeds from the Asthma Walk go toward funding asthma clinical research centers as well as Asthma 101, a training program for school employees that encounter children with asthma. During the training the school employees learn how to recognize triggers, signs and symptoms of asthma, as well as a residential summer camp for children with asthma. Additional funds will also go to a special camp for asthmatics that provides counselors and volunteers in each cabin to assist with medication, administration, asthma assessments, and ongoing asthma education so the children can fully enjoy their camp experience.

PMI is hosting several internal fundraisers prior to the event including a bake sale, snow cone extravaganza, a root beer float campaign and a crafts boutique. Members of the community can get involved in the fundraising efforts by donating gift cards from grocery or department stores to offset the cost of supplies for the events.

"This event provides our students with the opportunity to volunteer in the community they will be serving when they graduate," said Danielle Trueba, captain of PMI's Asthma Walk for the medical institute. "Working in the healthcare field is more than earning a paycheck, it's about giving back to the community. Participating in the Asthma Walk helps give the students first-hand exposure to the issues facing individuals with asthma, as well as helping our students become more compassionate men and women."

The Mesa campus offers programs for Dental Assistant, Massage Therapist, Medical Assistant, Medical Administrative Assistant, Nursing (Associate of Applied Science), Pharmacy Technician, Phlebotomy Technician, Physical Therapy Technician, Radiography (Associate of Occupational Studies degree), Respiratory Therapy (Associate of Occupational Studies degree) and Veterinary Assistant.

PMI is one of the premier medical career colleges in the western United States. The privately owned, accredited school provides students with a well-rounded education embracing theoretical classroom studies, as well as on-site training at medical facilities that mirror the working environment they will pursue after graduation.

Additional information is available at http://www.pmi.edu or by calling toll free 1-888-442-5998.





Pima Medical Institute Puts Sole Into Asthma Walk