Phlebotomy to Medical Assisting: Karime’s Story of Growth and Success

For Karime Luna, the path to a career in healthcare started with a simple but powerful desire—to work directly with patients and make a meaningful impact. She had always been drawn to the medical field, but it was phlebotomy that first caught her attention.

“I’ve always been interested in the medical field and wanted a career where I could work directly with patients. Phlebotomy stood out to me because it plays such an important role in diagnostics and patient care. I chose BAMA Institute because of the hands-on training.”

That decision marked the beginning of a transformative journey. At BAMA Institute, Karime found not only the technical education she was looking for but also a welcoming environment that helped her grow.

“My experience in the phlebotomy program has been very positive. The instructors were knowledgeable, patient, and always willing to explain concepts until I fully understood them. I especially appreciated the hands-on training. It gave me the confidence to perform venipunctures and other skills in a real-world setting.”

Karime was able to take part in the program thanks to a local effort aimed at expanding access to healthcare careers for Redwood City residents. Supported by a Community Development Block Grant from the City of Redwood City and carried out in partnership with JobTrain, BAMA Institute was able to provide tuition-free phlebotomy training, removing cost as a barrier for qualified individuals ready to begin their journey in the medical field.

The confidence and experience Karime gained through the phlebotomy program quickly became the foundation for her next steps. Beyond mastering clinical skills, she also walked away from the program with a mindset built on resilience, adaptability, and lifelong learning.

“From my time at BAMA, I took away the importance of continuous learning and staying calm under pressure. The program prepared me to handle real-world situations with confidence, and those lessons continue to guide me.”

That motivation to keep learning led Karime to enroll in the Medical Assisting program at Bay Area Medical Academy, BAMA Institute’s sister school. Her experience in phlebotomy had sparked a deeper passion for patient care, and she was ready to take on more responsibility in the medical field.

“During the phlebotomy program, I realized how much I enjoy working with patients, and that really motivated me to keep learning. The medical assisting program at Bay Area Medical Academy felt like the perfect next step to grow my skills, open up more opportunities, and take on a bigger role in patient care.”

With her phlebotomy background, Karime found herself well-prepared for the challenges of medical assisting. She was already comfortable interacting with patients and performing essential procedures, which allowed her to focus more fully on expanding her knowledge and skill set.

“My phlebotomy background gave me a lot of confidence working with patients. Since I was already comfortable with procedures like venipuncture and handling specimens, I could focus more on learning the new skills in the medical assisting program.”

Karime credits BAMA Institute with preparing her both academically and clinically for the demands of her new program.

“BAMA Institute really helped me build good study habits and a strong understanding of medical terms, which made my medical assisting classes easier. On the clinical side, the hands-on phlebotomy training gave me confidence with patients, and that’s been a big advantage in the MA program.”

Now, with both programs under her belt, Karime has her sights set on a fulfilling and impactful career in healthcare.

“My career goal is to work in a healthcare setting where I can make a difference in patients’ lives every day. Becoming a medical assistant is a great step, and I see it as a foundation for continuing to grow in the medical field.”

For those thinking about starting their healthcare journey with phlebotomy, Karime offers a piece of advice based on experience and success.

“My advice would be to go for it—phlebotomy training really builds your confidence and gives you hands-on experience in healthcare. It makes the transition into medical assisting much smoother.”

Ready to Take Your First Step in Healthcare?

If you’re inspired by Karime’s journey and ready to start your own, BAMA Institute is here to help. With expert instructors, hands-on training, and a supportive community, we provide the foundation you need to succeed in phlebotomy, medical assisting, and beyond.

Explore BAMA Institute’s phlebotomy technician and Bay Area Medical Academy’s medical assisiting with phlebotomy programs today and take the first step toward a rewarding healthcare career.