As part of Histotechnology Professionals Day, NSH is celebrating the dedicated professionals who are critical to patient care. Through this blog series, we’ve highlighted the journeys, challenges, and successes of histologists at every stage of their careers. From unexpected beginnings to groundbreaking research, each story reflects the passion and resilience that define this field. For our final blog, we’re excited to share the inspiring journey of Andrea Transou, a histotechnologist whose career has taken her from the hospital bench to the forefront of brain tumor research.
Picture it—Detroit, Michigan, 2004. I was 19 years old, in my second year at Wayne State University, and quickly realizing that college life was anything but abundant. Coming from a modest background, I knew I had to find a way to support myself if I wanted to make it. That summer, I enrolled in a Medical Assisting course and started working as a phlebotomist at St. John Hospital and Medical Center.
During my lunch breaks, I found myself drawn to the morgue, where I watched autopsies purely out of curiosity (creepy, right?). It was there that Joseph Mickle, the hospital’s diener, introduced me to histotechnology—a field I had never heard of but was instantly fascinated by. When he mentioned the hospital’s histotechnology school was accepting applicants, I applied without hesitation. That decision changed the course of my career.
After completing the program and earning my certification, I began working as a histotech in the hospital’s Pathology department, where I stayed until 2012. That year, I was offered a position at Henry Ford’s Hermelin Brain Tumor Center—the second-largest brain tumor bank in the world—to lead their histology core.
Moving from a hospital setting to research opened my eyes to an entirely new world of histologic possibilities. In research, there are no cookie-cutter cases; every project requires problem-solving, innovation, and the development of new protocols. This constant challenge keeps me engaged and motivated. I take pride in the fact that my work contributes to something bigger—something that has the potential to change lives. Since I primarily work with glioblastomas, I often receive samples where the prognosis is grim. That reality pushes me to take on the toughest challenges without complaint. If my patients can face this disease with courage, who am I not to do the same?
Throughout my career, I’ve had many proud moments. I was honored to receive the Roche Diagnostic In Situ Hybridization Scholarship from NSH and was featured on the NSH podcast for Women in Histology. Since 2012, I’ve been teaching in the field, and I’ve contributed to 18 publications, with my work cited 289 times. Sharing my love for histotechnology and my commitment to excellence has been incredibly fulfilling. While histotechs aren’t on the front lines of patient care, our work behind the scenes plays a vital role in patient outcomes. Our precision and dedication are how we show our love for people—it’s how we make a difference.
Looking ahead, I hope to continue in research, embracing new and emerging technologies. I also want to advocate for the profession, ensuring that histotechnology is recognized as a skilled and specialized field. Teaching and mentoring the next generation is a passion of mine, especially when it comes to preserving the integrity of the craft. I reject the “push-button” mentality that suggests histology can be done by just anyone. I firmly believe in licensure, certification, and the idea that the best histotechs are a blend of OCD, curiosity, and deep care for humanity.
Histotechnology has given me a career filled with discovery, purpose, and the opportunity to make a lasting impact. Whether in patient care, research, or education, our work matters in ways that often go unseen but are always felt. As the field continues to evolve, I hope to contribute to its growth—mentoring the next generation, advocating for its recognition, and pushing the boundaries of what’s possible. To my fellow histotechs: embrace the challenges, stay curious, and take pride in the vital role you play in healthcare. Our work may be behind the scenes, but its impact is at the heart of every diagnosis, every treatment, and every life we touch.
Andrea Transou BS,HTL(ASCP), QIHC(ASCP)
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