MCC Phlebotomy Essentials students celebrate completion, career opportunities
For the 17 students in Meridian Community College’s Phlebotomy Essentials program, learning to draw blood was only part of the lesson.
They also discovered how to calm a nervous patient, how to keep going when the work was difficult, and how to take the first step toward a future in healthcare.
MCC recently celebrated the students during a pinning and completion ceremony for one of the largest phlebotomy classes completed in a single semester through MCC Workforce. The students included Leona Alonso, Dicie Brown, Emily Casey, Haley Hall, Alixus Hearn, Tanya McDonald, Tecaria Miller, Tamyra Pippin, TaNasja Portis, Brianna Smith, AuBriannah Stephens, Kyra Sturdivant, Katelyn S. Summerville, Shaneka Tisdale, Lacey Walters, Sierra Welborn, and Quameshial Young.
“This class has been one of the most serious and dedicated groups I have ever worked with,” said Mallory Hardy, MCC Workforce project manager, who oversaw the program. “Their preparedness, perseverance, and encouragement of one another stood out every step of the way.”
Over four months, students completed evening classes, online assignments, exams, hands-on practice, and clinical hours while balancing jobs, families, and other responsibilities. They studied medical terminology, anatomy and physiology, blood collection techniques, and safety procedures, and they completed 100 hours of clinical training. Each student also performed at least 100 successful sticks.
The program was taught by Krystal Holifield, MCC Medical Laboratory Technology Program clinical education coordinator and instructor. With the coursework and clinical training complete, the students are now preparing for their national certification examination.
Hardy said the students showed their commitment before the course even began. After more than 150 potential students were contacted about the program, several came to campus ready to register with paperwork and payment in hand.
“Needless to say, these ladies were prepared,” Hardy said.
Baptist Anderson Regional Medical Center provided clinical placement for the students, giving them the opportunity to build their skills and confidence in a healthcare setting.
“We could not have offered this class without the generous support and accommodations of Baptist Anderson Regional Medical Center,” Hardy said. “Baptist graciously provided clinical placements for all 17 of our students, allowing them to gain the hands-on experience necessary to develop their skills and confidence in the field.”
Hardy also thanked Jason Dearman and the laboratory team for mentoring and supporting the future phlebotomists.
“This program is not just about completing a course,” Hardy said. “It is about opening doors to new opportunities and careers that can make a lasting difference in the lives of our students and the communities they serve.”
For graduate Tecaria Miller, the program was a personal step toward helping others. Miller, who has Type 1 diabetes, said she knows what it feels like to be nervous around needles.
“It gives me the opportunity to help others,” Miller said. “I can be there for people, have understanding and let them know somebody is there to listen.”
Miller said she hopes to work in phlebotomy and later continue her education in nursing.
“This is my foot in the door,” she said.
Graduate Haley Hall said she was drawn to phlebotomy because she wanted to help people. Through the program, she learned that patient care is about more than technical skill.
“It’s not just about drawing blood,” Hall said. “It’s making people feel comfortable while you’re doing it and trying your best to be gentle.”
During the ceremony, Miller also served as the student speaker. She encouraged her classmates to keep moving forward with confidence.
“This graduation is not the end of our journey,” Miller said. “It is the beginning.”
For more information, visit meridiancc.edu/workforce.