Pima Community College has launched a new degree program in histology, the study of human and animal tissues for medical diagnosis, according to a column by David Wichner in the Arizona Daily Star. The course of study offers both a certificate-to-work program and an associate’s degree in applied science.
The histology track is one of a group of initiatives underway at Pima that seek to provide jobs the community while simultaneously addressing Arizona’s biosciences workforce shortfall. Ann Christiansen, acting dean of the math and science division at Pima’s West Campus, told the Star that Pima has also begun offering courses in biotechnology, and hopes to offer biotech certificate and degree programs by next fall.
The program is directed by Sandra King, who recently retired to Tucson from managing an accredited histotech training program at Darton College in Albany, Ga. King told the Star that Pima is building a state-of-the-art program, and that procedures are underway for the program to receive accreditation from the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences.
Pima’s histology program has been supported by Tucson-based Ventana Medical Systems and local hospitals. Ventana is supplying about $100,000 in equipment and chemicals to help Pima’s new histotech lab get off the ground, and plans to offer internships for students in the program. Histologic technology has a particular relevance for Ventana, a company that manufactures automated slide-preparation equipment for pathology labs.
For more information:
“High hopes for histology,” Arizona Daily Star, 12/07/2003