Spring 2024 Newsletter
ASMH Newsletter • Volume 29 Issue 1 • Spring 2024
President's Message
Spring Greetings ASMH members,
I hope your year is off to a good start. I look forward to seeing all of you on May 3rd for the 2024 Annual Meeting in Phoenix, Arizona. The Program Committee has worked hard to create an amazing program for the Annual Meeting. We have some great sessions scheduled such as: "Preparing for Inspections", "IHC", "Trouble Shooting" and "Grossing Special Sites", just to name a few. Don’t forget to attend the Business Meeting Saturday morning to hear about important updates, the latest information and to meet your new Board of Directors. I hope to see you there!
The January and March Advanced Mohs Tech Training Programs have been very successful. There will be more training sessions to come, look for more dates and locations via email and social media. The Advanced Mohs Tech Trainings are a great way to learn new skills and best practices for procedures and remain current on regulations. We are also looking for new trainers. If interested, please look on our website or contact Linda Cesario or Dan Gong for more information.
The Newsletter Committee is looking for new members and article submissions. The articles can be on anything such as, new embedding techniques, IHC and lab safety, to list just a few topics. If you are interested in submitting an article you can email us at info@mohstech.org. Sharing our knowledge with each other will help us become more efficient at our jobs.
The ASMH is growing and we are continually working hard to make this society the best it can be. We are always looking for members to join one of our many committees. If you are interested, please email us at info@mohstech.org.
Sincerely,
Lindsey E. Riggs, HTL
ASMH, President 2022-24
Register Today For the 30th Annual Meeting!
The ASMH 30th Annual Meeting will be held in person in at the Sheraton Phoenix Downtown in Phoenix, Arizona on May 3-4 and we’re very excited to see everyone! Please visit the Annual Meeting website to view the Program at a Glance, Preliminary Program and hotel information. Limited rooms remain at the Sheraton Phoenix Downtown. If you have not already registered for the meeting and booked your room, you are encouraged to do so at your earliest opportunity. Additional lodging accommodations can be found here.
June 2024 Advanced Mohs Technician Training
Registration for the next ASMH Advanced Mohs Technician Training Program is now open. Training will take place at Mercedes Scientific in Lakewood Ranch, Florida on Thursday, June 27 - Friday, June 28. Advanced Mohs Tech training offers a customized, hands-on learning experience. Upon completion, trainees will be able to claim 12 CEUs through the National Society for Histotechnology and will receive a certificate of completion from the ASMH/ACMS. Register today.
2024 Election Results
Congratulations to our new 2024 Board Director, Tonya Woodard. Thank you to all that participated in nominating.
Newsletter Committee Member Request
We want you! We are looking for members to join the Newsletter Committee. This group works to bring fresh content, information and tips to our membership through seasonal e-newsletters. All submissions that work to advance the knowledge of Histologists are welcome and included in the newsletter. Interested in having your work published or would you like to join the committee? We want you! Click here to submit an interest form.
2023 and 2024 Advanced Mohs Technician Training Highlights
Linda Cesario, DPM, HT(ASCP)
Director, ASMH Mohs Technician Training Program
The ASMH Mohs Tech training program had a successful year in 2023. The program was held in January and was hosted by Mercedes Scientific in Lakewood Ranch, FL. Trainees from across the country learned about various Mohs techniques such as grossing, inking, embedding, cryosectioning, staining, CLIA, and more. Technical tips and troubleshooting every aspect of Mohs were also covered during the training. The Mercedes/ASMH training mascot, Ms. Miggy Mohs, was present at the event to cheer everyone on.
In March 2023, the Avantik Academy in Pine Brook, NJ hosted a training event during Histology Professionals Day. The trainees received two full days of informative lectures in combination with hands-on instruction. Q&A sessions, networking activities, and the ASMH Mohs Tech training manual were also included as valuable components of the training program.
In addition to the comprehensive lectures and hands-on education, games and prizes were offered as part of the celebration of our profession, making the event a great success!
In June of the same year, the ACMS-approved training faculty returned to Mercedes Scientific in Florida for another successful event, which quickly sold out. One unique aspect of Mercedes Scientific is its dog-friendly atmosphere. Attendees not only had the chance to meet Ms. Miggy Mohs, but also had the chance to interact with several friendly canines, providing a relaxed environment for learning and networking with fellow participants.
In September 2023, the Avantik Academy in NJ hosted another great training program. Attendees had the opportunity to learn more about the art of Mohs technology through a combination of diverse classroom lectures and hands-on training. The open discussions that followed were informative and led to valuable knowledge for all participants.
The AMSH training calendar for 2024 has already held two training events. In January, Mercedes Scientific kindly hosted us, offering a comfortable and dog-friendly atmosphere to all participants, as well as our beloved mascot, Ms. Miggy Mohs. In March 2024, the Avantik Academy hosted the ASMH training program and celebrated Histotechnology Professionals Day. As always, both events were filled with valuable presentations and hands-on learning opportunities.
All attendees received a certificate of completion bearing the logos of the ASMH and the ACMS, as well as 12 CEUs through the NSH. Our Mohs training program is the only one approved by the Mohs College. The ASMH would like to thank the vendors for supporting educational opportunities for Mohs techs.
We look forward to your attendance at the next training event. Please check the ASMH website for upcoming training dates.
A Journey of Growth and Commitment: Transitioning from Medical Assistant to Mohs Technician
Stacie Eckhout, MA, CDT
In the ever-changing face of the healthcare industry, education has become increasingly important. Continuous education is more than an option for professionals in specialized fields such as Mohs surgery; it is a means of reaching professional excellence. With a wealth of experience spanning 23 years in Mohs Surgery, the decision to return to college and pursue histotechnologist certification holds profound significance, offering inspiration for others to embark on a similar journey.
The drive for seeking histotechnologist certification lies in the profound recognition of the crucial role histotechnology plays in the realm of Mohs surgery. Histotechnologists play a pivotal role in processing and preparing tissue samples for microscopic examination, a critical step in the precise diagnosis and treatment of skin cancers. Certification ensures that individuals possess the requisite skills and knowledge to excel in this specialized field, thereby contributing to the overall efficacy of Mohs surgery.
Starting the path to histotechnologist certification provides numerous benefits for anyone considering a similar journey. Primarily, it broadens the range of professional opportunities, improving employability and establishing individuals as valuable assets in the healthcare industry. Certification demonstrates one's commitment to quality and adherence to strict professional standards.
Furthermore, obtaining histotechnologist certification promotes a sense of professional accomplishment and confidence. Individuals receive substantial training and knowledge in histotechnology, allowing them to navigate difficult processes with precision and proficiency. This obtained knowledge not only improves job performance, but it also helps to advance the field.
The value of education extends beyond individual advantages; it has a broader impact on the healthcare community. Well-trained and certified histotechnologists play a vital role in ensuring accurate diagnoses, facilitating effective treatment plans, and improving patient outcomes. As the field of healthcare continues to advance, the demand for highly skilled and certified professionals becomes increasingly pronounced.
To those considering pursuing histotechnologist certification, the journey is more than just acquiring a credential; it is a commitment to personal and professional growth. The encouragement to further one's education is not exclusive to those at the beginning of their careers but extends to seasoned professionals, such as me.
My career in Mohs surgery began more than two decades ago as a Certified Clinical Medical Assistant and has progressed through ongoing skill development and dedication to the intricate details of the Mohs surgery procedure. Transitioning from Medical Assistant to Mohs Technician was a turning point in my career, supported by encouragement from the surgeons I collaborated with, including one with fellowship training from the esteemed Frederick Mohs.
Participation in the ASMH Annual Meetings and the Advanced Mohs Technician training accelerated my professional development by providing opportunities for knowledge sharing and skill enhancement. These encounters kept me informed of the changing landscape of Mohs surgery.
Over the years I found just being a Mohs Technician was not enough. Returning to academics after a 20-year hiatus presented its challenges, balancing educational pursuits with a full-time job. However, it represents a strong dedication to personal and professional development. Earning a Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences was a key step toward my acceptance into Barry University's Master of Science in Clinical Biology program with a focus in Histotechnology. This advanced academic pursuit demonstrates my commitment to staying at the forefront of scientific and technological advancements in the field.
To summarize, my journey has been one of continuous growth, dedication, and a never-ending search for excellence. Transitioning from Certified Clinical Medical Assistant to a certified histotechnologist is more than just a personal accomplishment; it represents a dedication to the advancement of the discipline. As I begin my master's program, the adventure continues with exciting contributions that will certainly affect the future of our field. Pursuing histotechnologist certification is a life-changing endeavor that encourages personal and professional development via education. As I continue my journey, I wish to inspire others like me in the industry to see the importance of education, pursue certification, and contribute to the continued advancement of histotechnology.
Member Resources
Volunteer for a Committee
Interested in volunteering with ASMH? Willing to offer your talents to help strengthen the society? We want you! Click here to submit an interest form.
ASMH Online Bibliography
The ASMH bibliography is your resource and we strongly encourage you to explore it. Efforts will be made to keep the articles up to date and relevant to current best practices while keeping the scope wide enough to interest the broadest of minds. It is our intention to cover subjects ranging from basic lab techniques, Mohs embedding, cryotomy, routine and immunohistochemical staining, lab safety, ethics and work flow. This is a continually evolving project that will be guided by your feedback, suggestions and more importantly, your contributions, so please share interesting articles and send topic suggestions to info@mohstech.org.
Go to the bibliography to find new COVID-19 resources: Laboratory Biosafety & Coronavirus Disinfection in Histopathology.
Showcase your ASMH membership in your online profile
Members are encouraged to download and use this graphic in your email signature, on your social media profile or added to your professional online presence. Please remember that you may not, in any way, alter, manipulate or change this graphic. Contact info@mohstech.org should you have any questions about proper use.
Note to ASMH newsletter readers: Reference to any specific commercial product, process, or service by trade name, trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise throughout this e-newsletter, does not constitute or imply its endorsement, recommendation, or favoring by the American Society for Mohs Histotechnology. The views and opinions of authors expressed do not state or reflect those of the American Society for Mohs Histotechnology.