When Dick Luebke Sr. got out of the military, the father of six went to business school at night to finish a business degree. With each new year, it became more and more difficult to get the classes he needed to graduate at times when he could attend them.

Accessibility and affordability were on Luebke’s mind when he opened a school for adult continuing education in 1971. The original school, called the Pima County Business Institute, focused on hotel management, cashier jobs and PBX operators.

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Within a year Luebke and his wife JoAnn received requests to train nurse aides. In January 1972, the curriculum changed, as well as the name, and Pima Medical Institute began offering five classes for nurse aids and medical receptionists.

Today, students at the institute can earn certificates or degrees in nine medical programs: dental assistant, medical assistant, pharmacy technician, phlebotomy technician, medical administrative assistant, radiography, repertory therapy, physical therapy assistant and veterinary assistant.

The Arizona Department of Commerce tracks the top 26 high-growth occupations for the state. Pima Medical Institute offers programs directly related to six of those professions and has education toward nine others.

"Trained health care professionals are in demand right now. We are getting students ready for that challenge. Every year, hundreds of students graduate from PMI and the majority of them land a job shortly after graduation," said Luebke.

In December 2007, Luebke Sr. stepped down as CEO of Pima Medical Institute. Son Dick Luebke Jr. stepped in and his brother Mark Luebke is chief operating officer. Luebke Sr. still serves as chairman of the board of directors for the school.

In his father’s time there, Pima Medical Institute graduated more than 38,000 students from their programs. The school expanded and now has campuses in Albuquerque, Mesa, Chula Vista (Calif.), Seattle, Renton (Wash.), Las Vegas, Colorado Springs and Denver.

Maria Castillo is one of Pima Medical Institute’s success stories. After being laid off twice in 18 months from two different industries, Castillo knew she had to pursue a better paying, more secure career. At age 49, the single mother was concerned her job opportunities would be limited without additional training.

Castillo attended Pima Medical Institute for six months and graduated as a medical administrative assistant. The school’s staff set up five job interviews within two weeks of graduation. Four of the five companies offered her a job.

"I went from not knowing where I was going and being down on my luck to having a career in the medical field," Castillo said. "I know I will never have to look for work again. I will always have a job in the medical field."

That is what Luebke Jr. loves about his job.

"It is probably the most satisfying thing for us to watch students graduating and reach their goals," he said. "We make sure they stay with their goals as part of the basic service of the school, we have lifetime placement systems. They can use us as a clearinghouse for job opportunities in the community forever."

Students can earn a certificate from Pima Medical Institute in nine months and an associate’s degree in 20 to 24 months.

In the fall, Pima Medical Institute will add an associate’s degree program in occupational therapy and nursing.

"This will give Tucson another option and help alleviate the long waiting list at Pima Community College for nursing," Luebeke Jr. said. "We will start accepting applications into the program starting in March and will take probably 30 students in the first class."

Luebke Jr. said the school prides itself in having a slightly different focus than public schools will have.

"We’re very student focused in every aspect," he said. "Because we are a vocational school, we teach general education or core subjects tailored to the serve the student in the career choice. It has a specific slant. The smaller school is also more intimate. There is a greater sense of community on our campus than you would find on a bigger school."

In an effort to continue to be accessible, there are three shifts of classes, mornings, afternoon and night. The radiography and respiratory therapy programs can be completed online.

"The scheduling is one of the greatest conveniences," Luebke Jr. said. "It serves you rather than you having to serve it."

The school is also in the process of gaining regional accreditation, allowing the school to offer bachelor’s programs to its current and past students.

Luebke Jr. also plans on doubling the size and presence of Pima Medical Institute in the Western United States over the next five years. He is currently looking at expanding into, Salt Lake City, Portland, Ore. and several more cities in California.

Thus continuing the vision of one man to help people better themselves and giving them easy access to the education needed for them to succeed in that endeavor.