Ventana IHC Award
2009 Award Winner – Jeannette Wallen, HT (ASCP) Employed with Minnesota Gastroenterology Jeannette is actively pursueing her QIHC certification. And will use this award to enhance her knowledge of IHC through educational experiences.
Ventana In-Situ Hybridization
2009 Award Winner – Lena Larsson Department of Periodontology, The Sahlgrenska Academy at Gothenburg University Göteborg, Sweden Comments from Ms. Larsson’s letter of support: Lena is responsible for the development of in situ hybridization in our research laboratory. In a recent publication she evaluated the accuracy in the assessment of cell markers prepared using ISH vs. that of IHC and tissue preservation techniques including frozen samples and formalin fixation in ISH. The meticulous work of Lena is highly appreciated and is of great importance in our progress of understanding host-parasite interaction in periodontal disease. Lena will use this award to enhance her knowledge of the In Situ Hybridization techniques and to find new applications; thru buying new literature and hopefully a visit to the NSH annual symposium.
Ventana IHC/In-Situ Laboratory Award
2009 Award Winner – The University of Alabama at Birmingham Hospital Department of Surgical Pathology – IHC Laboratory Birmingham, Alabama Marva Rasco, HT (ASCP) – Histology Technician Mark Arner – IHC Lab Technician Debra Horton – Technical Specialist IHC Lab Christie Gowan – Supervisor IHC Lab The UAB Surgical Pathology section processes over 35,000 cases annually with a diverse range of specimen sites and case complexity. The histology lab employs 12 histotechnicians with the IHC Laboratory a Specialty Subsection – with a menu of over 150 antibodies including FISH and CISH which runs multiple platforms. We perform more than 20,000 IHC/ISH tests annually with new antibodies brought on board continuously. The IHC Lab has 3 dedicated FTE’s – 1 with QIHC qualifications and the other 2 pursueing the qualification. The Ventana IHC/ISH Laboratory Award will be used for study materials and certification exam registration for the lab – and additional funds will be used to promote further education and provide a resource library focused on IHC and ISH for the entire histology staff.
Biogenex Standardization in IHC
2009 Award Winner – Shelley Ganske Canadian Food Inspection Agency, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada Comments from Shelley’s letter of support: 1. Shelly is an outstanding histotechnologist with 24 years of experience, she has a passion for quality and standardization of test procedures. She has worked up, optimized and standardized IHC test for several diseases - She takes courses to upgrade and looks for ways to ensure the lab remains on the cutting edge.
Biogenex Standardization in ISH
This award was not given this year. The criteria for applying for this award is as follows:
Award criteria: This award will be presented to a NSH member certified in histology, who is pursuing advanced work in In-Situ Hybridization. This may be supported by:
1. Publication of a research paper utilizing ISH in a peer reviewed journal.
2. Presentation of an abstract on ISH at a scientific conference.
3. The teaching of ISH through workshops, lectures and teleconferences.
4. Continued and advanced work on ISH in one’s own institution, as evidenced by letters of support from the supervisor, pathologist and peers.
Dako Standardization of IHC
2009 Award Winner – George Hoernig, HTL (ASCP) Laboratory Manager of Western Pathology Associates – Phoenix, Arizona 1. 35+ years in the field of histology; with 30 of them as either a supervisor or manager 2. Numerous publications, presentations to his credit at state, regional, national and international levels on a variety of histology and scientific subjects 3. Professionally active in histotechnology societies on state and national levels Comments from George’s letters of support: 1. George is very patient, he enjoys teaching, is very knowledgeable in both theory and technique. He uses humor to diffuse a situation, he is a manager who doesn’t dominate but manages in subtle ways. 2. George is a consummate professional who continues to develop his own already excellent histotechnology and IHC skills and assists his co-workers to develop as well to ensure continued state of the art pathology services. He is a champion of achieving excellence in IHC standardization by education and collaboration.
Invitrogen CISH Award
This award was not presented this year. The criteria for this award are as follows:
Award criteria: Award criteria: This award will be presented annually to an NSH member that is pursuing advanced education with a specific interest in Chromogenic In-Situ Hybridization (CISH). This grant is intended to:
1. Enhance techniques and methods presently utilized in the nominee’s institution, and/or
2. Support the study of new techniques under consideration for adoption in the nominee’s laboratory, and/or
3. Support continuing education.
Jules Elias IHC Award
2009 Winner – Jennifer Harvey, HT (ASCP), QIHC Employed at: Vanderbilt University-Vision Research Center, Nashville, Tennessee Professionally active in histotechnology societies on state and national levels with numerous publications and posters to her credit. Comments from Jennifer’s letters of support: 1. Jennifer has been performing IHC procedures for most of her 19 year career. She has the uncanny ability to troubleshoot IHC problems. It is this ability which has helped her to excel in a research environment. She is patient, non-judgmental, knowledgeable and is the embodiment of excellence in IHC. 2. Jennifer is an exemplar of what the ideal histotechnologist should be on a professional and personal level. She is willing to investigate unanswered questions, rather than relying on past protocols – she is a walking recipe and techniques book. Her own research and the development of preparative techniques for maximizing quantum dot signal in tissues has made a significant impact on the leading-edge of histotechnology. She is not afraid to ask questions in seminars full of clinicians and professors; her goal is to learn and keep learning, to always improve and never settle for less.