Mount Pleasant High School held its very first pinning ceremony for Health Science program students who have completed certifications in Phlebotomy, Patient Care, EKG, and/or Medical Assisting. The ceremony was conducted in the MPHS auditorium on Thursday, April 27. Senior Camdon Johnson offered the opening prayer followed by MPHS Career and Technology Director, Karl Whitehurst, with opening remarks. And senior, Anthony Orellana, served as the announcer for the evening.

Health Science teacher, Kristi Houchin, awarded completion cords and pinned the Certified Phlebotomy Techs and the Certified Patient Care Tech Assistants as well as the previous years Certified EKG Technicians. Phlebotomy Techs perform the following tasks to aid in patient care – venipunctures, explaining procedures and making patients feel comfortable during lab draws, performing Point of Care (POC) testing, preparing specimens for testing, and maintaining medical lab equipment. Certified Patient Care Technician-Assistants assist with activities of daily living (ADLs), routinely check on patients to maintain safety and wellness, and perform EKGs. Receiving those cords and pins were Lizbeth Alvarez, Malazia Batiste, Paris Black, Yasmin Castaneda, Rachel Cato, Maria Colin, Madison Craig, Melanie De La Cruz, Chelsea Dowden, Alexandra Estrada, Blanca Gallegos Cruz, Betzaida Garcia, Isabel Gonzalez, Miranda Gonzalez, Sandy Guerrero, Benjamin Gutierrez, Sandy Hernandez, Kylie Humber, Jose Lopez, Alison Majors, Zulma Mejia, Rosselyn Molina, Viridiana Portillo, Anthony Ramirez, Lizzette Ramirez, Tiffany Rangel, Dulce Rivera, Briana Sanchez, Melissa Vasquez, and I’yana Williams.

Health Science teacher Mandy Hutchings awarded completion cords and pinned the Certified Clinical Medical Assistants as well as the previous years Certified EKG Technicians. A Certified Clinical Medical Assistant works in a physician’s office. They schedule appointments, verify insurance, take patient history and chief complaint, vitals, assist the physician with exams and in office surgeries, administer injections, perform phlebotomy skills, and perform an in office EKG and identify abnormal readings. CCMAs work directly with physicians, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants. Being a CCMA allows you to work anywhere in the United States as it is a national certification. Cord and pin recipients included Saul Alvarado, Andrea Anguiano, Giselle Castillo, Jenna Cook, Natalie Crockett, Norma Delgado, Paulina Diaz, Lincoln Ellis, Isabel Gonzalez, Perla Guzman, Ethan Harbour, Nora Hardwick, Natalie Hernandez, Karli Hill, Alison Jimenez, Camdon Johnson, Gyselle Lozano, Kali Marshall, Madeline Plascencia, Elijah Rider, Xitlali Rivas, Jacqueline Rodriguez, Goten Russell, Kandice Salas, Camila Serrano, Evan Shelley, Galilea Torres, Jose Trejo, Amy Vazquez, Javier Vazquez, and Michelle Vazquez.

Health Science teachers Sarah Carrell and Cortney McCallum pinned those who have tested and are credentialled Certified EKG Technicians. Other students listed are scheduled for testing in the upcoming weeks. Those students were Genesis Aguilar, Ashley Almeida, Jordan Andrade, Briana Chavez, Kaylee Connally, Ella Cross, Gema Del Rosario Amaro, Analee Escalante, Jarely Esguerra, Alexa Gamble, Estefani Garcia, Javier Garcia, Aguirre Garza, Isari Gonzalez, Sherlyn Gonzalez, Takahashi Gutierrez, Ahilin Hernandez, Jesus Hernandez, Breanda Hernandez, Morgan Hill, Yvonne Huerta, Casey Jones, Kaira Leija, Silvia Lopez, Arely Lopez, Jocelyn Marroquin, Harley Martin, Nathaniel Martinez, Yalit Mata, Mariana Mendez, Stephanie Mendez, Erika Mickens, Emilee Miles, Amariya Miller, Saniya Milton, Angel Munoz, Alyssa Narvaez, Cecilia Olmos, Genesis Organista, Jinnely Padilla, Tisha Patel, Johana Perales, Estven Perez, Cecilia Phan, Katherine Plata, Hope Powell, Andrianna Price, Bianca Quistian, Charis Ramirez, Kaitlyn Reese, Jacqueline Reyes, Naomy Rivera, Richard Rodriguez, Miriam Rojas, Evelyn Sandoval, Mariana Sandoval, Joseph Tolentino, Jonathan Turner, Shakira Valentin, Jacqueline Varela, Diana Vargas, Perla Vazquez, Conlee Zachry, Shpat Zeqaj, and Beverly Zuniga.

In all, sixty-one MPHS students received recognition for at least one certification that will follow them after high school and allow them to work in the medical field immediately after graduation.

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CCMA: Mount Pleasant High School Certified Clinical Medical Assistants

CCPCTA: Mount Pleasant High School Certified Patient Care Tech Assistants

EKG: Mount Pleasant High School Certified EKG Technicians