Perla Ruiz

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Get to know Phlebotomist Perla Ruiz, who serves the population of Aurora, Colorado.

UCHealth proudly announces the remarkable contributions of Perla Ruiz, a dedicated Phlebotomy Supervisor and Lead whose expertise and commitment to patient care have made a significant impact in the healthcare community of Aurora, Colorado. With a strong background in Phlebotomy. Perla Ruiz has emerged as a leader in the field, exemplifying the values of compassion, safety, and effective communication to ensure proper patient care.

A phlebotomist is a healthcare professional who is trained to draw blood from patients for various medical tests, transfusions, donations, or research. Their primary responsibilities include venipuncture (inserting a needle into a vein), collecting blood samples, properly labeling and handling those samples, and ensuring the comfort and safety of patients during the procedure.

Phlebotomists play a vital role in the healthcare system in several ways:

1. Accurate Diagnoses
   By collecting blood samples, they provide essential data for the precise diagnosis of illnesses and conditions.
2. Patient Care
   They ensure blood draws are performed safely and comfortably, helping to reduce patient anxiety and discomfort.
3. Laboratory Efficiency
   Their expertise ensures that blood samples are properly collected, labeled, and handled, maintaining the integrity of samples for accurate testing.
4. Support for Medical Staff
   By efficiently managing the blood collection process, phlebotomists allow doctors and nurses to focus more on direct patient care.
5. Public Health
   In roles such as those in blood donation centers, phlebotomists contribute to maintaining adequate blood supplies, which are critical for emergencies and surgeries.

Perla Ruiz began her journey in healthcare at Denver Health in the food services department in July 1999 at the age of 17. She went on to the transportation department in 2001, before deciding to go back to trade school in May 2003. While still working full-time, Perla attended Pima Medical Center as a Phlebotomy Technician. In July 2003 she graduated with honors for academics and attendance. She immediately transferred to the InPatient Phlebotomy team where she remained until May of 2010. Her endeavors took her to Presbyterian St. Luke’s Medical Center, of course to the IP Phlebotomy department. In 2013 Perla decided to go back to school for Respiratory Therapy. Graduating from Concorde Career College in 2015, where she honed valuable skills in respiratory therapy. Her clinical rotations at esteemed institutions such as Denver Health and the University of Colorado Hospital provided her with invaluable hands-on experience in neonatal care and intensive care unit procedures. This diverse background laid a solid foundation for her leadership roles in Phlebotomy at UCHealth, where she and her team are dedicated to providing exceptional care to patients.

In her role, Perla Ruiz is not just a Lead; she is a mentor and advocate for both her team and her patients. Her passion for enhancing patient quality of life drives her to continuously improve practices within her department. She believes that effective communication is key to building trust with patients, which is crucial for their overall experience in the healthcare system. This patient-centered approach has earned her recognition and respect among her colleagues and patients alike.

In her words;

“My biggest accomplishment to date is at UCHealth. I began in January 2019 as a lab technician. After COVID-19, my role evolved into a specialist. After three years in the lab, I joined the IP Phlebotomy department in September 2022. There was no structure—no AM rounds, break schedules, or unit prioritization. 

I developed a morning rounds workflow, reducing completion times to 7:00-7:30 AM, VS 10:00 AM, and created a “mini run” system for stat, timed, and deferred draws, ensuring consistency across shifts. With the support of leaders Taryn Syler, Kenza Khataoui, Sarahi Madoza, Levi Berg, Sierra Hawks, Audee Trujillo, and Toni Prothro, we maintained this efficiency. We successfully decreased STAT draws by 28 minutes—a huge win! Though we are still in the process of changing and building, I firmly believe the task will be accomplished.

Additionally, we established break schedules and rounding times for units, tackling the immense challenges of working in a trauma center. The team, driven by hands-on supervisors, across all shifts, we are some of the the first line of defense, essential for providing effective care.

Though I may not see this project to completion, I have trained the staff to continue our success, promoting inclusivity, teamwork, and patient-first care. With 26 years in public health, including 22 as a bedside Phlebotomist, I believe in creating a safe, inclusive, and productive environment for patients and staff”.

Perla’s leadership style fosters a collaborative environment where team members feel empowered to share ideas and enhance their skills.

Perla’s dedication extends beyond her daily responsibilities. She volunteers for initiatives dedicated to enhancing community awareness of domestic violence and supporting single mothers and women of color. Her ventures have taken her internationally and she hopes to volunteer at MSF.

https://www.msf.org

MSF – Médecins Sans Frontières | Medical humanitarian organization 

As healthcare continues to evolve, Perla Ruiz remains at the forefront, ready to adapt and innovate in order to meet the needs of the community she serves. Her unwavering commitment to excellence and patient advocacy makes her an invaluable asset to UCHealth and a true leader in the field of healthcare.

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