Tampa Bay medical training school acquires Northeastern campuses

UMA Education Inc., the organization that operates Ultimate Medical Academy, says it acquired American Institute, a career education school focused largely on health care training, with five campus locations in Connecticut and New Jersey.

Ultimate Medical Academy, headquartered in Tampa, is a nonprofit higher education institution that helps students succeed in health care careers, with much instruction done online.

The transaction's terms were not disclosed. UMA officials say it will expand UMA's campus operations to the Northeastern part of the United States.

"Our nation faces a tremendous challenge of recruiting and training millions of new people to join the ranks of healthcare professionals in hospitals, clinics, pharmacies, doctor's offices and more,” says Tom Rametta, president of UMA. "With this acquisition, UMA will amplify our ability to educate a steady pipeline of graduates to join the healthcare workforce."

Ultimate Medical Academy provides online health care education plus in-person instruction for clinical programs at its ground campus in Clearwater, say school officials. 

Its current catalog of programs trains nurse assistants, patient care technicians, phlebotomists, emergency medical technicians, pharmacy technicians, healthcare accountants and more.

American Institute, celebrating its 100th year in 2024, operates five campuses in Connecticut and New Jersey. It offers hybrid programs, which give students a combination of on-campus support and flexibility by enabling them to complete some of their coursework online through distance education, UMA officials say.

American Institute brings new programs to UMA, such as diagnostic medical sonography (DMS) that trains ultrasound technicians.

Both organizations are accredited by the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools.

UMA says it has has more than 15,000 students and more than 80,000 alumni nationwide. UMA says it supports students "through every step of their journey with access to academic support, interview and resume coaching, job search assistance, technical support and more."