Tissue is the Issue: No Meat, No Treat

Recorded On: 09/30/2025

Broad molecular profiling to assess biomarkers that drive treatment decisions are now recommended by guidelines for numerous solid tumors. Pathologists, oncologists, radiologists, histologists, and molecular biologists are all key stakeholders in ensuring biomarker testing is performed according to the guidelines. Due to the dearth of tissue available from fine needle aspirates or core needle biopsies, tissue stewardship is necessary to allocate the available tissue appropriately. The histology team should understand and address pre-analytical variables affecting the quality of biomarker testing results and how tissue quantity plays into that. It is important to understand how preanalytical variables that occur during tissue processing affect different technologies and how to work together across disciplines to optimize tissue quality and utilization to drive biomarker testing

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

Cristi L Rigazio

Cristi earned her Bachelor of Science in 2001 and obtained her HT certification in 2004 while working at a pre-clinical research facility. Soon thereafter, Cristi moved to a hospital setting while pursuing a graduate degree. After graduating with a Master in the Science of Administration degree in 2008, she was awarded the opportunity to open a lab for a group of Gastroenterologists. In 2016, Cristi accepted the position of Clinical Specialist for Anatomic Pathology where she is currently both the Operations Manager and Clinical Specialist for the 12 hospital system.

Daniel Sanchez

Daniel earned his Bachelor of Science in Medical Technology in 2013 and entered the workforce as an MLS in the microbiology lab at Sentara Norfolk General. In 2015, Daniel transferred to histology and worked as a lab support technician in the gross room. Over the course of several years, Daniel trained in histology and helped cover all 12 hospitals in the Sentara Healthcare System. In 2022, Daniel obtained his HT certification and accepted a leadership role as Clinical Lab Support Coordinator for the Anatomic Pathology division of Sentara Lab Services. In 2023 Daniel accepted a dual role and began serving as a supervisor for the histology department, overseeing embedding, microtomy, and case distribution.