Executive Summary

Some of the highlights from my resume are the ability, knowledge and expertise gathered over my 26 years in Clinical, Specialized and Research Histology. Specialty expertise gained during these years include: Dermatologic , Ocular and Animal Histology, Immunohistochemistry, Immunofluorescence and InSitu Hybridization. In addition, I have had to good fortune to work in several different research settings one being with a Molecular Biology group studying the microvasculature of tumors. Working with cell cultures, western blotting, RNA and Trophoblast isolations are just some of the skills learned while working with this group. Managing the Histology Core was another great research experience. I worked together closely with over 40 different primary investigators helping them to get answers to their research questions using specialized cutting, freezing, immunohistochemical and insitu hybridization techniques we developed and customized to each individual project. During these two research positions we produced over 35 publications in various prestigious medical journals.

Several of the management jobs I have held have taught me extremely valuable skills. During my time at the Medical College of Wisconsin and the University of Iowa I worked with our vendors to get specialized pricing thus saving both institutions money. The savings realized allowed us to purchase the latest in automated equipment which minimized our need for additional personnel and we became a profit making department.

Expertise:

Frozen Sections

Processing

Embedding

Microtomy

Special Stains

Cytology Preparation

Management

Writing SOP’s

Ordering, Billing

Specialized Knowledge:

Ocular Histology

Dermatologic Histology

Animal Histology

Immunohistochemistry

Immunofluorescent Staining

Research Development

Workup of new procedures

Cell Culture

RNA and Trophoblast Isolation

Insitu Hybridization

Equipment Expertise:

Peloris and VIP Processor

Microm, Leitz and AO Microtomes

Sakura and Tissue Tek Embedding

Leica and AO Cryostats

Dako and Microm Immunostainer

Dako Artisan Special Stainer

Microm and Sakura H&E Stainers

Sakura Film Coverslipper

Thermo Laserwriter Slide Labeler

Leica Block and Slide Labeler

Equipment Knowledge:

Ventana Benchmark

Education:

National/ Regional HistoWorkshops

Marshfield Clinic Histology Training

University of Wisconsin-Baraboo

MidState Technical Institute

Kirkwood Community College

McClennan Community College

Certifications:

HT(ASCP)

Clinical Laboratory Supervisor (Florida Department of Health)

Experience:

Cape Canaveral Hospital

Cocoa Beach

Histology Technician II July 2011 - Present

In July 2011, due to reorganization my Histology/Cytology Supervisory position was eliminated, however they asked me to stay on as a Senior Technician. This laboratory provides the following services: frozen sections, routine histology and special staining. I work the bench daily performing all routine histology duties including: processing, embedding, cutting (paraffin and frozen section), staining (routine and special), and cytology preparation.

Cape Canaveral Hospital

Cocoa Beach

Histology/Cytology Supervisor April 2009 – July 2011

At Cape Canaveral Hospital I held a bench Histology/Cytology Supervisory position. In this position I had 3 direct reports and occasionally supervisor temporary technical help. My extensive experience in developing and writing procedures and protocols, safety, quality assurance and quality improvement as it pertains to the Histology Laboratory was utilized in this position. Our laboratory provides the following services: frozen sections, routine histology and special staining. Management duties have included: billing and coding, developing and writing procedures and protocols, assisting with management of data bases, competency and performance reviews, gathering and providing budget information, and ordering and maintaining supplies and equipment for the laboratory. Management also requires that I resolve customer and physician issues when it applies to the Histology. In addition I designed and troubleshot all histology projects and handled equipment issues. Performing routine bench histology duties including: processing, embedding, cutting (paraffin and frozen section), staining (routine and special), and cytology preparation on a daily basis while in this position.

Achievements:

o In the first month I discovered we were using a highly purified water for special staining, only distilled water was necessary therefore we switched resulting in a savings of over $7000 per year.

o At three months our team instituted some changes in purchasing which resulted in a $4500 per year savings.

o I worked with the management team to bring in a new automated stainer and continue to work to bring in the most current processing and staining automation to continue to improve specimen turn around and quality of patient care.

o Working as a team our Histology Group was one of only three areas of the laboratory that passed out CAP inspection with no deficiencies.

o Optimized special staining techniques which resulted in ease of pathologist diagnosis and faster turn around times to patient.

o Worked with management to implement new procedures to assure HIPPA regulations are being followed by the Histology Laboratory.

Dermpath Diagnostics – Dr. Troy and Associates

Brookfield, WI

Manager Histology Aug. 2008 to Jan. 2009

I held a management position with Dermpath Diagnostics. We are a reference laboratory for Dermatology Clinics in Wisconsin, Illinois, Iowa and Minnesota. This laboratory provided the following services: routine histology, immunohistochemistry, and pathology. I had 12 direct reports. My responsibilities include: developing and writing procedures and protocols, safety, quality assurance and quality improvement for the Histology Laboratory. Additional duties included: assisting with management of data bases, gathering and providing budget information, ordering and maintaining supplies and equipment for the laboratory. Management also required that I handle all customer and physician issues when it applies to the Histology. I designed and troubleshot all histology projects and equipment issues. Occasionally when short staffed I performed routine histology duties which included: grossing, processing, embedding, cutting (paraffin and frozen section), staining (routine and special). In addition I assisted with specialized histology including: immunohistochemistry.

Achievements:

o In my first 2 months I brought in new safety procedures and signage

o I brought in new equipment for special staining

o Worked with field reps to get our slide and block labeling system working

o Wrote detailed procedures

o Created a new program for processing tissue faster

o Corrected the issue of tissue falling off slides during Immunohistochemistry

o Corrected three special staining techniques that were not working

o Improved an immuno stain that was not working

Medical College of Wisconsin

Milwaukee, WI

Manager Histology Core Facility Jan. 2006- Aug. 2008

As Manager of the Histology Core I was involved in the design, development and build of this laboratory. This laboratory provided the following services on a fee for service basis: routine histology, immunohistochemistry, insitu hybridization and general imaging. We performed these services for researchers at the Medical College of Wisconsin, Froedert Hospital, Children’s Hospital, Eye Institute, Blood Research Center and VA Hospital. I had two direct reports. My management duties included: setting up and writing protocols and procedures, designing and writing work request information forms and assisting with management of data bases, gathering and providing budget information, setting up fee schedules and invoices for billing purposes, and ordering and maintaining supplies and equipment for the Core, competencies and performance reviews. Additional duties required that I handle all customer and physician issues and that I market the Core to new investigators. Designing and troubleshooting all histology projects had provided me with a very strong understanding of all routine and specialized histology. I was also responsible for both authoring and co-authoring the Histology methods portion of many scientific papers. Additionally as needed I performed routine and specialized histology duties including: grossing, processing, embedding, cutting (paraffin and frozen section), staining (routine and special), immunohistochemistry, in situ hybridization, immunofluorescence, and animal histology. In addition I was responsible for training PhD’s, Graduate students and other technicians in basic Histological Techniques and Immunohistochemistry.

Achievements:

o In 6 months our volumes increased from 2000 slides to about 5000 slides for routine work, not including immunohistochemistry and special stains.

o We started in January 2006 with 4 clients on board and I now have ~50 clients on board and this is just by word of mouth.

o In 1 1/2 years we worked up over 57 antibodies (some of which were never commercially tested).

o We surpassed the goal of breaking even after three years by breaking even in our first year and making a profit in our second year.

o Provided immunohistochemical and insitu training to PhD’s and Graduate students.

Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin

Milwaukee, WI

Histology Technician Dec. 2004- Jan. 2007

As a Histology Technician position from 2004 to 2006, my responsibilities included: accessioning, assisting with grossing, processing, embedding, cutting (paraffin and frozen section) and staining {routine and special}) along with cytology prep work. When took the Medical College position I maintained a casual position with Children’s from 2006 to 2007 to assist them by designing and writing protocols and procedures to help them meet CAP and OSHA regulations.

Iowa Pathology Associates

Des Moines, IA

Histology Technician March 2003- Sept. 2004

In my position with Iowa Pathology Associates, I was responsible for performing routine histology bench

work: accessioning, assisting with grossing, processing, embedding, cutting and staining {routine and

special}along with frozen sectioning (routine and MOH’s).

University of Iowa HealthCare, Anatomy and Cell Biology

Iowa City, IA

Research Assistant III Sept. 1999- March 2003

This was a supervisory position in which I managed the Histology Core for the Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology. This laboratory included; the histology bench area, general laboratory bench areas and a tissue culture area. Management duties included: assisting in the maintenance of the budget, ordering and maintaining supplies and equipment for these areas. I designed, ran and troubleshot all histology projects for the Hendrix Laboratory. In addition I performed all routine and specialized histology duties including: grossing, processing, embedding, cutting and staining (H&E), immunohistochemistry, in situ hybridization, immunofluorescence, frozen sections, muscle biopsies, animal histology, fine needle aspirations, cytospins, cytology prep work, and cell biology including: RNA isolations, trophoblast cell isolation from tissue, Westerns, cell culturing. In producing projects for this laboratory I was also responsible for both authoring and co-authoring the Histology methods portion of many scientific papers. In addition I assisted the laboratory manager in preparing for regulatory inspections and updating IRB’s. I have extensive training experience training PhD, Graduate students and Histologists in Histological Techniques both in our and during workshops I presented at the National Society for Histotechnology meetings.

Achievements:

o Worked up over 100 antibodies in three years most of these antibodies are not commercially available and most have never been tested in paraffin embedded tissue sections.

o Cut costs by working with vendors to get better product pricing

o Became proficient in many cell biology techniques

o Learned basic skills of working with Con-Focal Microscope to create 3-D images of our 2-D information

o Authored and co-authored on over 42 papers, book chapters, poster and abstracts

Special Presentations:

o Cytological Preparations: Getting the Optimal Sample and Novel Ways to Work with Cells at the National Society for Histotechnology Symposium/Convention

Awards:

o In 2001, I received the Mary Jo Small Fellowship Award from the University Of Iowa. This award is given to people to pursue continuing education under the condition they will bring the information back to the institution and teach others the techniques learned during the classes.

o In 2000, I was asked by the National Society for Histotechnology to serve and did serve as a Staff Assistant/Liaison for the National Society for Histotechnology Symposium/Convention.

o In both 2000 and 1999, I was asked by the National Society for Histotechnology to serve as part of a research poster session judging team due to my expertise in Histological Research.

o In 1999, I served as a Liaison for several workshops at the National Society for Histotechnology Symposium/Convention.

University of Iowa HealthCare, Ocular Pathology

Iowa City, IA

Research Assistant III Sept. 1989- Sept. 1999

In this supervisory position I had 3 direct reports and 4 temporary researchers, fellows and other students. My responsibilities included: billing and coding of patient charges, handling customer and physician issues both for in-house and outside facilities, along with writing manuals and assisting with inspections during our accreditation inspections. In this job I also became very proficient in working with office equipment and computers. This position required me to be a working supervisor, therefore; I performed routine histology: assisting gross, processing, embedding, cutting, routine and special staining, fine needle aspirations, cytology prep work along with research histology: routine animal histology, immunohisotchemical staining, designing all histology related research projects, co-authoring scientific papers. I also covered for the secretaries performing Medical Transcription and answering multiline phones when necessary. Training was a very important part of this job; I was responsible for training in new secretaries, histology technicians, research technicians and students in laboratory protocols, procedures and safety.

Achievements:

o Created a profit making clinical pathology

o Cut supply costs by working with vendors to get better pricing on our supplies.

o The type of training I was responsible for required me to be proficient in every job in the laboratory

o Went through 5 CAP inspecstions with perfect scores on all inspections

o Worked with billing to properly develop and use CPT and ICD-9 coding in the pathology laboratory

o I developed new and novel Immunostaining techniques

o I developed a new collection technique for fine needle aspirations, which required special approval from the CAP (College of American Pathologists). This new technique allowed us to capture the entire sample and gave better cellular detail, than smear techniques, allowing the pathologist to make a more definitive diagnosis.

Special Presentations:

o Presented a poster: New Technique for the Cytologic Identification of Acanthamoeba, Organisms from Corneal Epithelial Scrapings, at the 1995 ARVO (Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology) meeting

o In 1994, I wrote a Tech Sample: Histotechnology No. HT-2 (1995): Fixation, Processing and Embedding of Ocular (Eye) Specimens; for the ASCP (American Society of Clinical Pathologists).

o In 1994, I presented a teleconference to a national histology audience: Troubleshooting Ocular Histotechnique through the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio

o In 1991, I presented a workshop: A Practical Approach To Ocular Histotechnique at the National Society for Histotechnology Symposium/Convention

Awards:

o In 1996, I received the Mary Jo Small Fellowship Award from the University Of Iowa. This award is given to people who wish to pursue continuing education and who will bring it back for others to learn from that knowledge.

o In 1995, I was chosen to be a mentor in the WISE (Women in Science and Engineering) program.

o In 1994, I received the very prestigious Dezna C. Sheehan Memorial Educational Scholarship Award from the National Society for Histotechnology

o In 1991, I received the Certificate of Merit for Outstanding Growth and Achievements from the American Business Women’s Association for my work in Melanoma Research

Providence Hospital, Surgical Pathology

Waco, Texas

Histology Supervisor May 1988- Sept. 1989

Even though this was classified as supervisory position I was the only technician. Responsibilities included: ordering supplies, inventory, and maintenance on all equipment, writing manuals and assisting with inspections, accessioning, assisting with grossing, processing, embedding, cutting and staining {routine and special} along with frozen sectioning.

Medical Laboratory Service of Waco, Surgical Pathology (now Central Texas Pathology Laboratory)

Waco, Texas

Histology Technician Feb. 1986- May 1988

This was a routine Histology Technician position. Responsibilities included: accessioning, assisting with grossing, processing, embedding, cutting and staining {routine and special} along with frozen sectioning and cytology prep work.

Hillcrest Baptist Medical Center, Surgical Pathology

Waco, Texas

Histology Technician Feb. 1985- Feb.1986

Responsibilities for this Histology Technician position included: accessioning, assisting with grossing, processing, embedding, cutting and staining {routine and special}along with frozen sectioning.

St. Thomas Hospital, Surgical Pathology

Akron, Ohio

Histology Supervisor Dec. 1984- Jan. 1985

This was a supervisory position with two direct reports. Responsibilities included: ordering supplies, inventory, and maintenance on all equipment, writing manuals and assisting with inspections. In addition to supervision routine histology duties performed included: accessioning, assisting with grossing, processing, embedding, cutting and staining {routine and special} along with frozen sectioning and muscle biopsies.

Akron City Hospital, Surgical Pathology

Akron, Ohio

Histology Technician Jan. 1984- Dec.1984

Responsibilities for this Histology Technician position included: accessioning, assisting with grossing, processing, embedding, cutting and staining {routine and special}along with frozen sectioning.

Marshfield Joint Venture Laboratory

Marshfield, Wisconsin

Histology Trainee Jan. 1983- Jan. 1984

During this time I was learning the art of Histological Technique through the CAHEA (Committee on Allied Health Education and Accreditation) accredited training program at the Marshfield Joint Venture Laboratory. In 1984, I took my practical and written exams to obtain my HT (ASCP) accreditation.

EDUCATION:

Tristate meeting for Histotechnology 2006

Workshops and Seminars

National Society for Histotechnology 1989-2000 and 2007

Workshops and Seminars

The Histochemical Society 2000

Workshops, Posters and Seminars

Kirkwood Community College, Cedar Rapids, IA 1993- 1995

Management Development

University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 1991-1991

General education

McClennan County Community College, Waco, TX 1989-1989

Computer Classes (GPA: 4.0)

Histology Program Joint Venture Laboratory, Marshfield, WI 1983-1984

Certified Histologic Technician (GPA: 4.0) (02/1984)

Mid-State Technical Institute, Marshfield, WI 1982-1983

General education

University of Wisconsin Center, Baraboo, WI 1980-1981

General education

REGISTRATION:

Florida Department of Health

Clinical Laboratory Supervisor - SU42267 2010 to 2012

American Society of Clinical Pathologists

Histologic Technician, ID # 02135516 HT-11907 1984-present

National Society for Histotechnology, American Society of Clinical Pathologists

Histologic Technician 1984

REFERENCES:

Available upon request

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