**2020 Symposium/Convention Basics Package

  • Registration Closed

Brush up on the basics!  All five of these popular sessions from the 2020 NSH Symposium/Convention are perfect for anyone looking to train, or re-train on basic histology topics.  

Sessions Included in this Package: 

  • Basic IHC: Understanding The Process To Improve Your Results
  • Choosing the Correct Fixation
  • Crash Course In Histology: Recognize 20 Tissues In 60 Minutes – Can It Be Done?
  • The Basics of Histologic Techniques: Processing and Embedding of Tissue Samples
  • Troubleshooting Microtomy
  • Includes Credits Recorded On: 10/15/2020

    This workshop dives back down to the basics of what is really happening on the slide: from tissue preparation to the sequential application of primary antibody, linking antibodies, enzyme complex, chromogen and counterstain.

    Immunohistochemical staining is now so commonly performed by instruments or robots that the actual staining process is lost in the barcodes and software, bottles and vials. This workshop dives back down to the basics of what is really happening on the slide: from tissue preparation to the sequential application of primary antibody, linking antibodies, enzyme complex, chromogen and counterstain. We will discuss the effects that pre-analytical events such as fixation, processing and microtomy have on the staining process as well as the results. Multiple staining methods will be examined including avidin-biotin, polymer and other biotin-free systems, as well as newer amplification techniques. And as we examine the process we will discuss how each step leads to the success or failure of the final product. A strong foundation of such basic understanding leads to ease in troubleshooting any unexpected staining results.

    CEUs: This histology course is worth 1 continuing education credit. Course is available for 365 days from date of purchase. 

    Beth Roche, HTL(ASCP)

    Until her retirement in April 2019, Beth Roche, HTL (ASCP) was a senior technical consultant at Roche Diagnostics with 40 years’ experience in the field of histotechnology. Experience in clinical and research laboratories with the University of Florida, Baxter Healthcare, WL Gore & Associates, and Ventana Medical Systems/ Roche Diagnostics gives her a hands-on background in the field. Additionally, she has trained technologists from labs across the world. Blending a background in basic histotechnology with cutting edge technology and equipment and more recent applications in immunohistochemistry, she brings both breadth and depth of experience to her seminars and presentations. A frequent presenter at national and state meetings, she enjoys the opportunity to discuss a wide variety of applications and situations with her audiences. 

    Her strength is in breaking down topics into simple, easy-to-follow steps; in encouraging the exchange of information among attendees; and in seeing when her students and attendees reach that “Aha!” moment of understanding.

  • Includes Credits Recorded On: 10/15/2020

    This lecture will explore many of the common fixatives, their uses and the importance of making sure that you fix tissues well in order to achieve good results for the type of staining that you are doing.

    There are many fixation choices within the histology laboratory depending on the type of stain that you are developing.  With so many choices how do you know what fixation type to use?  This lecture will explore many of the common fixatives, their uses and the importance of making sure that you fix tissues well in order to achieve good results for the type of staining that you are doing. It is also important to follow the guidance for some types of staining assays to make sure that these assays remain complaint for regulatory purposes.

    CEUs: This histology course is worth 1 continuing education credit. Course is available for 365 days from date of purchase. 


    Traci DeGeer, HT(ASCP)HTL, QIHC(ASCP)

    Director- Advanced Staining Innovation

    Leica Biosystems

    Traci DeGeer is the Product Innovation Manager for the BOND RX platform and Advanced Staining Business Unit at Leica Biosystems. In this capacity she helps access new technologies for the Life Science research business, manages relationships with partners, works with legal partners to put agreements in place and liaises with Business Units to meet partner/customer needs as technologies are being developed. Traci holds a Bachelor of Science, in Biology, an HT, HTL, and QIHC for the anatomic pathology lab and recently graduated the HBx core program. Traci also holds a patent in small molecule detection for PDL-1 and has spoken at over one hundred state, regional and global symposia on various topics. Traci also sits on the ASCP Board of Certification (HT, HTL and QIHC Exam) and is the current Education Chair for the National Society of Histotechnology.

  • Includes Credits Recorded On: 10/15/2020

    The workshop will cover the basic concepts of fixation and their relation to the processing of tissue samples and the importance of correct orientation of tissue samples during embedding.

    This workshop is designed for individuals that are just starting to train in the field of histotechnology or preparing for a certification or licensure exam. We will cover the basic concepts of fixation and their relation to the processing of tissue samples and the importance of correct orientation of tissue samples during embedding. This workshop will be presented at an educational level based on teaching experience and published literature.

    CEUs: This histology course is worth 1 continuing education credit. Course is available for 365 days from date of purchase. 

    Jerry Santiago, PhD, HTL(ASCP)QIHC

    Professor of Histology/HT Program Director

    Florida State College at Jacksonville

    Jerry Santiago is currenlty the Program Director and a Professor of Histology for Florida State College at Jacksonville Histologic Technology Program. He has been involved with the National Society in several key volunteer roles including sitting on the Board of Directors, leading NSH Committees as a Chair and serving in the House of Delegates. He has participated in committees for the College of American Pathologist and has presented numerous workshops at the local, state, national and international level both in English and Spanish.

  • Includes Credits Recorded On: 10/15/2020

    This session will cover all the challenges a histotech might face during microtomy including chatter, compression, divets and more.

    This session will cover all the challenges a histotech might face during microtomy including chatter, compression, divets and more.

    CEUs: This histology course is worth 1 continuing education credit. Course is available for 365 days from date of purchase. 

    Jamie Pert, BS, HTL(ASCP)cm, MBcm, QIHCcm

    Education Programs Manager/Lab Director

    Corewell Health

    Jamie is the Program Director of an HT and HTL programs as well as a Lab Director for the histology and IHC lab in Royal Oak, Michigan. Previous to that she worked as a bench histotechnologist in the immunohistochemistry/molecular lab of anatomic pathology at Beaumont Hospital, and in that time she also worked as a contingent histotechnologist in private GI and Dermatopathology laboratories. Jamie completed her B.S. at Grand Valley State University and she is certified as a histotechnologist (HTL), molecular biologist (MB), and also has her Qualification in Immunohistochemistry (QIHC) through ASCP.