Not long ago, it occurred to Quentin Whitmore, a histotechnician at Saint Mary’s Hospital, that he and his colleagues might be a dying breed. After nearly two decades at Saint Mary’s and three decades in the profession, he has noticed that there is little interest in the field. “Looking further down the line, I wondered,” shared Quentin, “Who is going to be doing these tests for me?”
Quentin Whitmore, a histotechnician at Saint Mary's Hospital, lobbied to make Histology Professionals Day a reality.
Part of the problem and opportunity, he believes, is awareness. So, he wrote Connecticut State Governor Ned Lamont a letter requesting a proclamation from the state to have histotechnicians officially recognized as medical professionals. His letter included a description of the job title, how many laboratories in the state include histotechnologists and the value of their role in health care. Whitmore did in fact hear back from the Governor’s Office - there would be a Histotechnology Professionals Day!
“Quentin’s pride in his profession is evident in everything he does and securing this proclamation is another example of his efforts in going above and beyond for his team,” said Margaret Jenkins, BS, MT, (ASCP)cm, Laboratory Manager, Saint Mary’s Hospital.
The official statement from Governor Lamont states, “Whereas, Histotechnology professionals play an essential role in the health care system by preparing and analyzing tissue specimens that are critical to accurate diagnosis, disease prevention and effective patient treatment; and whereas, their expertise supports physicians and pathologists in delivering high-quality medical care; and whereas, recognition of this day honors their dedication, technical skill and significant contributions to public health and medical science; now therefore, I, Ned Lamont, Governor of the State of Connecticut, in recognition of the Histotechnologists throughout the State, herby proclaim March 10, 2026 Histotechnology Professional Day.”
“This is a wonderful testament to the dedication of Quentin and his team,” said Robert Roose, MD, MPH, President, Saint Mary’s. “The important work they provide for the community speaks to who we are and how we live our Mission.”
The small, but mighty Histology team at Saint Mary’s all share Quentin’s pride for their work. Cat Johnson, who has been with Saint Mary’s for 20 years says she has loved every minute of her job, “I love all aspects of the job and providing the slides, all nice and neat, for the pathologists is satisfying. We have a great team.”
“We make the diagnosis,” stated Matthew Curran, MD, pathologist, Saint Mary’s Hospital. “But they put the samples on the slide. So, without them we can’t make the diagnosis.”
“Histology is the bridge to diagnosis,” said Quentin. “There is no true diagnosis without histology.”
Histotechnology Professional Day is marked March 10.
Saint Mary's Hospital Laboratory leaders join colleagues in the Histotechnology Department to mark Histology Professionals Day.
Saint Francis Hospital's Histotechnology Department celebrates Histology Professionals Day.