Phlebotomy Program Students Pinned

ENMU-Ruidoso Recognizes Phlebotomy Students at Pinning Ceremony

Thirteen Phlebotomy students were recognized in a pinning ceremony at ENMU-Ruidoso on Saturday, March 28. ENMU-Ruidoso President Ryan Trosper welcomed the audience. Career & Technical Education Director Gray Mowery gave opening remarks and introduced the instructors, Suzanna Chavez and Bobbie Owen and Owen pinned the students.

Pinning a graduating phlebotomy student symbolizes their initiation into the phlebotomy profession and marks the completion of their occupational lab training.

The Phlebotomy’s students and their hometowns include:

Fall 2025

Alto: Shannon Halcomb
Carrizozo: Tiffany Vega
Hondo: Karime Fernandez Chacon
Mescalero: Priscilla Kadayso, Kaylyn Chino
Ruidoso: Emilee Tidwell
Ruidoso Downs: Ennydia Nevarez

Spring 2026

Mescalero: Kanae Sago, Rheanna Platta
Ruidoso: Haydin Byington, Alesia Beveridge Shriver
Ruidoso Downs: Cristal Romero, Guadalupe Galvan

The certificate of occupational training in phlebotomy consists of three portions: phlebotomy theory, skills lab, and clinical experience. A student must pass all three portions in order to receive a certificate from ENMU-Ruidoso. In Phlebotomy Theory, students learn blood collection theory in accordance with national standards for phlebotomy procedures. An introduction to the anatomy and physiology of the main body systems, including the tests, terminology, and pathological conditions associated with these systems, is included along with an introduction to laboratory clerical duties. Students apply theory and practice the procedures and techniques for collecting blood and other specimens in the skills labs. Students who pass both theory and lab have the opportunity to practice skills and to apply the theory learned in class during a supervised clinical experience in participating hospitals and clinics.

Upon completion of the program, students are eligible to take the national certification exam for phlebotomists (American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) Phlebotomy Technician (PBT) Board of Certification).

This program requires 100 clinical hours and 100 sticks and is offered in part by Tri Core Labs and Lincoln County Medical Center.

To learn more about ENMU-Ruidoso’s certificate programs, visit the website at https://ruidoso.enmu.edu/certificates/, or call the College at 575-315-1120. Registration for Summer and Fall classes begins April 6.