Fixation on Histology

Each year at the NSH Convention, NSH and our sponsors take time to celebrate the accomplishments and ongoing endeavors of our members. This year, was no different as award and scholarships recipients were acknowledged throughout the Convention in Baltimore on September 8-12. Last week’s blog highlighted our award recipients for their excellence and dedication to the field.  In this week’s post we will celebrate our Scholarship recipients.  

Peggy Wenk Histology Program Scholarship
Albany State University, Program Director: Taiquanda Winbush, MS, HT(ASCP)
Sponsored by Sakura Finetek USA

Taiquanda says “I am continuously looking for resources that will help me shine a light on the hidden gem found in the profession of Histotechnology. I strongly believe that producing well educated and qualified histotechs is one of those ways in which we can let our light shine”. Albany State University plans to use the scholarship funds to do just that and purchase much needed equipment to train their students.

Helping Hand Scholarship for Histotechnology Outreach and Education
Beth Cox, CT(ASCP), HT(ASCP), HTL (ASCP), QIHC (ASCP)
Sponsored by Newcomer Supply

Beth plans to use the funds to purchase much needed supplies for the mission trip with Canvasback Missions’ Gynecology Team in the Marshall Islands in the spring of 2024. The Marshall Islands has one of the highest cancer rates in the world and the team plans to provide medical care in hopes of diagnosing gynecologic cancer at a much earlier stage.

Immunohistochemistry Education Scholarship
Colleen Forster, BS, HT(ASCP), QIHC(ASCP)
Sponsored by Agilent Dako

Colleen is a lead in a core research lab at the University of Minnesota  and is always learning the new skills necessary to provide our research community with the most up to date services. She plans to use the funds to gain more education in the new area of spatial omics.

Professional Scholarships
Sponsored by Avantik & Epredia

Ruben Alvarado, HT(ASCP), QIHC(ASCP)
Ruben’s colleagues say his leadership skills have helped create a great workplace environment and he continues to inspire others to grow in their field. He goes the extra mile to ensure high quality patient care and is a great mentor to the junior technicians. Ruben plans to use the scholarship towards pursuing his bachelor’s degree in biology.

Jennifer Burian
Jennifer’s coworkers shared that her passion towards the field of histology is admirable. Each year during Histotechnology Professionals Day, she instills excitement and awareness about the field for not only fellow employees but the communities in which we serve. In addition to her exceptional character traits, what she has to offer intellectually is unparalleled. Her genuine and humble character motivate her to continually enhance her knowledge and skills. Jennifer plans to use the scholarship to continue her education in leadership and lab safety. 

Student Scholarships
Sponsored by Avantik, Epredia, Sakura Finetek US & Dr. Richard Cartun

Fatimah Ansar
Fatimah is a student at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center of Health Professionals where her professors praise her for the dedication she shows through her volunteerism. She recently served on the student congress as an executive board member and volunteered at the Texas State Society Meeting.

Richard Chu
Richard is a Senior at the University Of Texas  MD Anderson School of Health Professions. Richard consistently exceeded in all areas of his coursework, the best example of his intelligence and background shone through the pointed questions regarding the application of his coursework. His questions caught the differences in staining and sectioning quality, and he was able to apply the knowledge quickly. The positive demeanor that he displayed was very contagious in the student labs.

Celena Saldana
Celena is a student at the University of Texas MD Anderson. The Education Coordinator described Celena as very eager to learn and an extremely hard worker. Her instructor noted her dedication to her work via her quick ability to learn as well as her skills as a leader.  She plans to one day become a HT/HTL instructor.

"Tara" Aratara Nutcharoen
Tara is a student at the Inova Histotechnician School. She plans to use the funds to help pay for her HT exam. Tara was recently accepted into Medical School and is hoping to become a Pathologist.

Melisa Simo
Melisa  is a student at Indiana University School of Medicine. The Education Coordinator says Melisa’s love for learning, passion for histotechnology, and great desire to become a mentor have set her apart from her classmates. Melisa plans to use the funds to further her training in curriculum development and laboratory instruction.

 

                  Joshua Jefferson, HTL(ASCP)                                              Melisa Simo

Convention Poster Travel Scholarship
Sponsored by Anatomical Pathology Patient Interest Association & Sakura Finetek US

Philip Seifert, HTL(ASCP) 

Philip & Uma received funding to present their posters at the 2023 NSH Convention. Philip presented his poster titled Novel Use of Pipette Based Capsules for Glycol Methacrylate, Methyl/Butyl Methacrylate and Epoxy Resin Processing with Mouse Tissue That Reduce Processing Solution Volume and Time.  

Uma Raut, HTL (ASCP)
Uma presented her poster Gene Protein Assay(GPA): Unveiling Tumor Heterogeneity in HER2/neu Positive Breast Cancer.

Congratulations to all of our Award & Scholarship recipients. Don't forget to apply or nominate your colleagues for the 2024 Awards & Scholarships, which will open in early 2024.