Listen to Article
May is the time that we focus on nominating a worthy histotechnician / histotechnologist to recognize them for their work and contributions to both our profession and the National Society for Histotechnology!
There are many awards that NSH offers that range from educational scholarships to awards of service and recognition. As I reminiscence over my career there is one award that really stands out for me. In 1986 I was honored to receive the Dezna C. Sheehan Memorial Educational scholarship.
I was privileged to meet Mrs. Sheehan early in my career at the American Society for Medical (ASMT) Convention in Denver, CO., June, 1978. I presented a lecture at that convention and Mrs. Sheehan was in attendance. I was able to spend some time visiting and talking with her. Mrs. Sheehan was a special lady and a formal educator, author and instructor in Histotechnology, having the first approved and accredited HT program at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA. In my Histotechnology education and training at the University of Tennessee Medical School in Memphis, TN. in 1976 Barbara Baker and I were students in training and were given Mrs. Sheehan and Barbara Hrapchak’s chapter on Pigments and Minerals for studying, which then came out in their new book in 1980. After Mrs. Sheehan’s death in 1982 a memorial educational scholarship was established by NSH in her honor. I applied for this scholarship and was the third recipient, which was awarded in 1986. I used the scholarship funds to attend a week-long workshop on Special Stains in 1987. This workshop instilled my desire to become proficient and teach special stain techniques.
NSH has some unique awards and scholarships that do not get awarded each year. There are many deserving histotechs that could and need to be nominated for one of these awards or scholarships. Take a look in your own laboratory or workplace, observe your coworkers or colleagues, have they done something that would be deserving of some recognition or advanced educational opportunities? And, most of these awards and scholarships can be “self” nominated. You can nominate yourself for an award when it is appropriate. Nominations are similar to an employment or job application. You see a job, you check it out and if your experience and interest fits then you apply, right? So if you see an award or scholarship that fits you, then why not apply? Or if you do not feel comfortable nominating yourself then ask a friend or colleague to nominate you. Nominations are an opportunity to be considered for an award, and gives you a fighting chance so to speak. If you ask someone to nominate you for an award then at least give them some information about yourself with some details or provide them with a copy of your resume or a CV.
The NSH Awards and Scholarship applications are now open to either apply and / or make a nomination. Check out the NSH Awards on the NSH Website here.
Please contact any of the NSH Board members or NSH Staff at histo@nsh.org. or (443) 535-4060 for answers to your thoughts and questions. We are here to help serve you!
“Histologically Speaking,”
Lamar