SPC Histologic Technician Students Gain National Exposure at National Histotechnology Conference
October 21, 2026
Three St. Philip’s College Histologic Technician Program students recently gained valuable national exposure to the rapidly evolving field of histotechnology when they attended their first National Society for Histotechnology (NSH) conference in San Antonio.
The conference was held Sept. 26 at the Henry B. González Convention Center, bringing together histology professionals, laboratory leaders, educators, vendors and students from across the country.
Sophomores Hayaa Aziz, Mahali Hernandez and Thaimi Nicol Velasquez-Nico attended the conference alongside SPC Histologic Technician Program Director Aaron Herrera and alumna Casey Needs. For the students, the experience provided an opportunity to expand their understanding of the profession beyond the classroom and connect with professionals working in laboratories across the nation.
Throughout the conference, students met national laboratory leaders and participated in express talks and mini-workshops focused on the latest developments and opportunities in histotechnology. They also explored the conference’s showcase vendor hall, where they were able to see and interact with emerging technologies used in modern laboratories, including digital pathology and multiplex immunohistochemistry (IHC) staining.
The conference also gave students the opportunity to network with potential employers and learn more about career opportunities in histotechnology on a national level.
In addition to the conference experience, SPC’s Histologic Technician Program students connected with Julie Trejo, an advocate for the histology community and founder of Anatomic Insights. Trejo is dedicated to increasing awareness of histotechnology and highlighting the important role laboratory professionals play in the fields of pathology and oncology.
Through these experiences, SPC students are gaining more than technical skills. They are building professional connections, exploring emerging technologies and developing a broader understanding of the critical role histologic technicians play in patient care and the healthcare industry.
The experience reflects the Histologic Technician Program’s commitment to preparing students for the evolving demands of the profession while connecting them with the larger national histotechnology community.