Fixation on Histology

I decided to attend the NSH 46th Annual Virtual Symposium/Convention in the hopes of further growth and development of my continuing education and to build a broader social network of fellow professionals. After passing my HT exam in June 2019, I have been excited to begin my career and looking forward to every opportunity to do so.

​Attending the NSH 45th Annual Symposium/Convention in New Orleans last year, as a first time attendee, was an amazing experience. The workshops were a great way to continue and kickstart my education during my first year as an official histotechnologist. I especially appreciated workshops presented by Carolyn Doan on Microorganisims and Basic IHC: Understanding the Process to Improve Your Results, presented by Beth Roche. I had the privilege of attending last year’s Symposium/Convention with my mentor, Brenda Trevino. Prior to attending the NSH in New Orleans, Brenda and I attended the Texas Society of Histotechnology Convention in 2018. During this convention it was an honor to sit with her during the Awards Luncheon and support her in accepting the Graham Stevens Memorial Award.

​Joining NSH was an education requirement with Indiana University School of Medicine, histotechnologist curriculum. I have been an NSH member since students participating in the HT program were encouraged to join. Students were encouraged to become familiar with the NSH website, gain experience in navigating the site and utilize the tools NSH has to offer. The Block was especially helpful for me during this time. I found the NSH online community supportive and helpful with my histology related questions. I will continue to maintain my NSH membership throughout my career for networking possibilities and continuing education resources.

​Prior to COVID-19, I was planning to attend the 46th Annual Symposium/Convention in Reno, Nevada. Although my plans (and my life) have been interrupted by Coronavirus, I am thrilled to see the fantastic alternative solution created by NSH. This year I am looking forward to seeing new and familiar faces, VIRTUALLY. I am excited about the convention workshops and networking within the Virtual Exhibit Hall. As I move into the next year of my career, I will be focusing on QIHC. As I begin preparation for ASCP’s QIHC exam, I will be investing my time into workshops focusing on immunohistochemistry.