A Look at the Numbers

I would like to start out this column with a 'Thank You' to all of the members of ASCT for allowing me to serve you this past year as your President.  I had a wonderful year supported by a great Executive Council and a fantastic board of Committee Chairs.  The year was capped off with a great annual conference in the beautiful setting of Newport, Rhode Island.  (Did you know that Rhode Island is not an Island but that Newport is?)
At the conference I asked all cytotechnologists present to stand.  Of course most participants fell into that category and the majority of the audience stood up.  Then I asked everyone who would be eligible to retire within the next 5 years to sit down.  Approximately one-third of the audience returned to their seats.  "And now let's have those who will be eligible for retirement in the next 10 years to join the others by sitting down."  After I asked this more than half of the total group was now back in their chairs.  While this method of sampling may not be a scientific based survey it was a great straw poll.  Let's use this straw poll to crunch some numbers.

ASCT members and friends celebrated during the 2008 Annual Conference at the Newport Marriott April 4-6.   Held in conjunction with the Maine Society of Cytology Inc, Massachusetts Cytology Society, Rhode Island Cytology Society and the Vermont/New Hampshire Cytotechnology Association,this year’s meeting boasted over 175 attendees and 13 exhibitors.  Lectures and microscopic workshops on hot topics were held during the 2 ½ day conference.  At night, attendees were able to enjoy the city’s quaint wharves , cobblestone streets, unique shops and galleries all in walking distance of the Marriott.
Special recognition was given at Saturday’s awards luncheon to Bob Gay, BS CT(ASCP) who received the Marion & Nelson Holmquist Achievement Award for his contributions to the field of cytotechnology, and Barbara McGahey-Frain CT(ASCP) who received the Allen Award for Excellence in Writing for her article, “Career Launching Strategies” in the May 2007 issue of the Voice. 

Joan Rossi CT(ASCP) and Sandy Giroux, SCT,CFIAC both accepted the President’s Award for exceptional service to the society.  Sallie Robinson, CT (ASCP), of Thomasville, Georgia (Region 4) won the National Cytotechnology Day design contest for "Moving Cytology into the Molecular Future." 

What is – the ASCT Annual Conference?
By Jill Caudill, Annual Meeting Chair

That’s right; those were just a few of the highlights of the April 4-6 meeting this year in Newport, Rhode Island.

Our new president, Lynnette Savaloja, has created a president’s blog: www.cytotechnologists.blogspot.com I’m sure you’ll want to check in to find out more about the ASCT.

The panel presentation “Transitioning Molecular Pathology Techniques to the Forefront of Cytopathology Practice” taught us that our morphologic skills as cytotechnologists serve us well in molecular testing areas like fluorescent in situ hybridization.

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This year’s annual student interesting case contest once again did not disappoint. The Education Committee received a total of 24 submissions. From these submissions, ten students representing 6 programs were selected to present their case on Saturday, April 5 at the general session of the Annual ASCT Meeting in Newport, Rhode Island. The student presenters included:

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Arizona, Colorado, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, New Mexico, Nebraska, Nevada, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah, Wisconsin, Wyoming

By "Schnitz", Don Schnitzler, Region 2 Director
Edited by Jean Taylor, SCT(ASCP)

Awards and Special Recognitions
More good things have happened to some great ASCT members in Region 2 since the last Spotlight on Region 2 was published.   When you happen to meet them, be sure to congratulate them for receiving these well-deserved awards.

ASCT Holmquist Achievement Award 
The Marion and Nelson Holmquist Award for Outstanding Cytotechnologist is named in honor of two longtime supporters of cytotechnologists and their work. Marion Danos Holmquist, a cytotechnologist, was the first president of the ASCT. She and her husband, pathologist Nelson Holmquist, have encouraged ASCT's mission of improving the profession of cytotechnology. Since the early nineties, the Holmquist Award has been presented to a cytotechnologist who has, in turn, made his or her own significant contribution to ASCT and to the field of cytotechnology. At the 2007 ASCT Meeting at San Antonio, Texas, M. Sue Zaleski, Iowa City, Iowa was named the recipient of the Marion and Nelson Holmquist award.   Then at the ASCT Meeting just held at Newport, Rhode Island, Robert "Bob" Gay was named the 2008 recipient of the same Holmquist award.  Both Sue and Bob have been long-time supporters of the ASCT and are deserving of this recognition.

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by Janie Roberson, Legislative Consultant

On March 17 and 18, over 140 laboratorians joined in our nation’s capital for the 2008 Annual Legislative Symposium. The broad range of participants included several laboratory science students- a great way to engage future laboratorians in advocacy efforts. This year’s event was a joint collaboration of ASCLS, CLMA and ASCP. Key conference organizers were; Don Lavanty, Legislative Counsel ASCLS, Katherine Ayres, Director, Legislative and Regulatory Affairs, CLMA, and Jeff Jacobs, Vice President Public Policy, ASCP.  An ambitious agenda was laid out to update participants on current issues, focusing on the impact of the economy, the federal budget, and the personnel shortage on the laboratory.  A lobbying skills session provided insights for both the first time advocate and those well versed in lobbying.

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Proficiency Testing
Regulatory Activity
The proposed rule to revise existing PT requirements has been written (jointly authored by CMS and CDC) and is now in the Clearance process. Signatures must be obtained from CMS, CDC, HHS Secretary. The rule is then sent to OMB who reviews for impact analysis. The OMB is allowed up to 90 days for this review. We should see this rule issued in the coming months if all goes as expected. The revisions will likely address testing frequency, scoring systems and test configuration although specifics are unknown until the proposed rule is actually published.

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Sallie S. Robinson, CT (ASCP)

Sallie Robinson graduated with a B.S. degree in Zoology from Clemson University in 1972.  Right after college she joined the United States Peace Corps and taught high school biology, science, health education and tropical agriculture in the Western Samoan islands in the South Pacific for two years.  She then returned to her native state of South Carolina teaching science and biology for another two years before going back to school for her cytotechnology certification at the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston, South Carolina.  She received the D. Charles Dixon Award in 1977 for the outstanding cytotechnology student of the year at M.U.S.C. and passed her ASCP CT registration exam that same year.

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Hello Fellow CT’s!

By Connie Erdmann, Voice Editor

Hello fellow CTs, students, MDs, and whoever else might be reading this newsletter!
My name is Connie Erdmann and I live in lovely Springville, Utah due to the fact I married a Springville man. I grew up in Los Alamos, New Mexico and the Land of Enchantment will always have a hold on me. I have recently agreed to be the editor of this informative publication. Please don’t judge me too harshly, I’ve never been an editor before, and it would be easier if we hadn’t got used to Brenda who’s done such a fabulous job with this assignment. I have tough shoes to fill, $750 Pradas, I think

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Wanted:  Experienced cytotechnologist. Experience in molecular diagnostic testing preferred but will train. Southern New Jersey Location. Top Salary and benefits commensurate with experience and quality of work.  Send resumes to sjresumes@hotmail.com”