Awards

The ASCT formed the ASCT Foundation in 1998 to support the educational goals of our membership, and to recognize individuals who have made significant contributions to field of cytotechnology and the ASCT.  Made possible by tax-deductible donations, the Foundation has been proud to fund awards such as the Marion and Nelson Holmquist Cytotechnologist Achievement Award, the Allen Achievement in Writing Award, and the Warren R. Lang Memorial Student Presentation Awards.

The ASCT Foundation continually strives to honor the ASCT founders, and the passion and dedication they demonstrated as they formed our organization, by pursuing the continual growth of the ASCT Foundation for the support of our profession.

The most prominent award presented by the ASCT is the Marion and Nelson Holmquist Cytotechnologist Achievement Award.  Marion Danos Holmquist was the first president of the American Society for Cytotechnology.  Her husband, Dr. Nelson Holmquist, was the first pathologist member of the ASCT and was a survey team member for ASCT Services.  Marion and Nelson strongly promoted the ASCT’s mission to define and promote cytotechnology. 

Since 1990, the Holmquist Award has been presented to a cytotechnologist who has made his or her own significant contribution to ASCT and to the field of cytotechnology.  The winner of this award receives $500 and a commemorative plaque.

Nominations are now being accepted for the prestigious award.   Any cytotechnologist who is a member in good standing of the ASCT is eligible to be nominated.

Nominators should submit the following criteria to be reviewed:
• nominees’ current curriculum vitae
• two letters of reference (one from nominator)
• other applicable supporting documentation the nominator feels are needed
• completed nomination form
  

Marion and Nelson Holmquist Cytotechnologist Achievement Award Recipients

2013 - Mary Ann Friedlander

2012 - John Shalkham
2011 - Sandra Giroux
2010 - Janie Roberson
2009 - Lynnette Savaloja
2008 - Bob Gay
2007 - Sue Zaleski
2006 - Brenda Schultz
2005 - Kalyani Naik
2004 - Nancy Yockel
2003 - Beverly Haigler
2002 - Gary Gill
2001 - Brent Brewerton
2000 - Not Presented
1999 - Deanna Iverson
1998 - Brent Brewerton
1997 - Roger Wall
1996 - Roberta Goodell
1995 - Karen Allen
1994 - Shirley Greening
1993 - Jean Hand Triol
1992 - Roberta Goodell
1991 - Elsie Carruthers
1990 - Pat Ashton

Warren R. Lang Awards

Arguably, the most anticipated awards presented by the ASCT are for the student case presentations given every year at our Annual Conference. Originally presented to a single graduate of an accredited School of Cytotechnology, the Warren R. Lang Award was established in 1989 by the ASCT Executive Council in memory of Dr. Warren R. Lang. 

Dr. Lang was professor of Cytotechnology and Medical Director of the School of Cytotechnology in the College of Allied Health Sciences of the Thomas Jefferson University in the 1970’s, and was later promoted to Chair of the Department of Pathology in 1983.  He was a relentless advocate for cytotechnologists, cytology students, and pathology residents and enjoyed teaching immensely. Dr. Lang was supportive of the formation of the ASCT and believed it was a Cytotechnologists’ right, if not their responsibility, to have a strong influence in their profession.

Currently, students who give case presentations at the Annual Scientifc Conference are eligible for this award. The first place winner of this award receives $150 and a one year membership to the ASCT.  The second and third place winners receive $100 and $50, respectively.
 

2013
1st - Donald Hughes, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Arkansas
 “It’s Rare It’s Scary, It’s Medullary Thyroid Carcinoma”

2nd - Jennifer Albert, University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
“Lung Cancer in a young patient accompanied by FISH for diagnosis”

3rd - Elaine Smith, UCLA School of Cytotechnology, Los Angeles, California
"Hide in Plain Sight:  Metastatic Cancer in a Lymph Node"

2012
1st - Roxanna Abrines of UCLA for:
Bladder Invasion: When Small Cell Carcinoma Attacks!

2nd - Julie Vickery of MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston for:
Patient with History of Diffuse Large B-cell Lymphoma Develops Lymphoid Depleted Hodgkin Lymphoma

3rd - Lindsey Floyd of University of Arkansas for: 
A Tue Unknown: Combined Squamous Cell Carcinoma and Neuroendocrine Carcinoma of the Lung

2011
1st - Danica Rose Manabat of UCLA for:
The Spread of Deadly Aggressive Malignant Melanoma Invades Multiple Systems

2nd - Bailey Trahan of Fletcher Allen for:
Recurrent Metastic Granulosa Cell Tumor

3rd -  Maleah Summerville of the University of Arkansas for:
Primary Carcinoid Tumor of the Lung in a Female Smoker

Computer Presenter - Binita Thapa of ACPHS for:
Anaplastic large cell lymphoma in plural fluid

2010
1st - Zane Roberton of MD Anderson Cancer Center
2nd - Marvell Seymour-Major of MD Anderson Cancer Center
3rd - Lindsey Towlen  of Fletcher Allen
Computer Presenter - Sierra Kovar of ACPHS

2009
1st - Akewa-Bah Korotoumou of MD Anderson Cancer Center
2nd - Mayra Sanchez of MD Anderson Cancer Center
3rd - Apryll Minnis of Fletcher Allen
Computer presenters - Fatimah Abdullah of MD Anderson Cancer Center and Sarah Friend of Fletcher Allen

2008
1st Place – Yahong Lin, MD Anderson Cancer Center School of Cytotechnology
2nd Place – Chris Hall, Albany College of Pharmacy Cytotechnology Program
3rd Place – Nicole Bailey, SUNY Upstate School of Health
Computer case presentation winners- Svetlana Biggs & Jamie Lynn Pastor, SUNY Upstate School of Health

2007
1st  - Patricia Torres, MD Anderson Cancer Center
2nd - Michelle Douty, Brooks Army Medical Center
3rd - Katherine Mycek, Fletcher Allen

2006
1st place – Teresa Kologinczak
2nd place – Andrea Black
3rd place – Luis Carpio

2005
1st place – Samantha Witt
2nd place – Amy Jo Kuffarnus
3rd place – Mandy Ziegler

2003
1st place - Amy Wong
2nd place – Huiying Wang
3rd place – Melanie Reno

2002
1st – Constance Glinton
2nd – Libby Evans
3rd – Kelly Bonn

2000
1st – Robert Wright
2nd – Shannon Hans
3rd – Lisa Troncoso

1999
1st place – Kelly Ann Stealey
2nd place –Maryellen Edwards
3rd place – Jody Maxwell

1996*
1st place – Arthur Pollock
2nd place – Rachael Wade
3rd place – Kevin Trent
(*poster contest)

1994 - Susan Cunningham
1992 - Beverlee Hart
1990 - Maryanna Albana Sigmund
1989 - Marcella Dawson

President’s Award
The President’s Award, originally called the Presidential Prerogative Award, was established in 1991 and is presented to an outstanding member of the ASCT by our president in recognition of outstanding service during his or her term.   The Recipient of this award is presented a commemorative plaque.

President’s Award Recipients

2013 - Joan Rossi
2012 - Lynnette Savaloja
2011 - Eliza Enstine and Karen Chau
2010 - Sandy Giroux
2009 - Sandy Giroux
2008 - Sandy Giroux and Joan Rossi
2007 - Janie Roberson
2006 - Nancy and David Yockel
2005 - Fern Miller, John Shalkham and Debbie Hillsdon-Smith
2004 - Not Presented
2003 - Sue Zaleski
2002 - Fern Miller
2000 - Claire Eklund
1999 - Mary Reilly
1998 - Brent Brewerton
1997 - Deanna Iverson
1996 - Not Presented
1995 - Not Presented
1994 - Sue Zaleski
1993 - Roger Wall
1992 - Jean Hand Triol
1991 - Tom Eells

Allen Achievement in Writing Award

The newest Award that is granted by the ASCT Foundation is the Allen Achievement in Writing Award.   This award is named after Karen Allen, who was the 2002-2003 President of the ASCT and served as the editor of the ASCT NEWS from 1996 to 2004.  She established this award in 2004 to acknowledge and encourage individuals for excellence in writing.  All articles with a byline published in ASCT Voice are eligible for the annual award with no application necessary.  Selection by a panel will be made based on the quality of writing and the subject matter. 

Winners of this award receive $100 and a commemorative plaque.

Allen Achievement in Writing Award Recipients

2013 - Matt Riding for his article, "Summary of the New Screening Guidelines for the Prevention and Early Detection of Cervical Cancer” The Voice, July 2012.
 

2012 - Tim Feit 
2011 - Carol Colasacco
2010 - Katherine Mycek
2009 - Michele Smith
2008 - Barbara McGahey-Frain
2007 - Mary Ann Friedlander
2006 - Thomas Scherbl
2005 - Beverly Haigler

Student Annual Scientific Conference Grants
Although not formal awards, the ASCT Foundation also subsidizes the registration fees for all students who attend the ASCT Annual Scientific Conference, which allows students to attend the meeting at a substantially reduced rate.