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American Society for Mohs Histotechnology

Summer 2025 Newsletter

President's Message

Dear ASMH Members,

I want to take a moment to wish you all a happy summer! Whether you're enjoying time with family, catching up on a well-deserved vacation, or staying busy in the lab, I hope you find time to recharge!

I’m excited to share updates on our ASMH Webinar Series, which continues to grow thanks to your enthusiastic participation. A big thank-you to everyone who attended our June webinar—your engagement and feedback are what make these events so valuable.

Coming up next, we’re thrilled to welcome Lindsey Riggs and Jeanie Wade as our featured speakers for our upcoming ASMH webinar on August 21st at 6:00 p.m. ET, Tipping Your Cap for CAP: Tips on How to Make Inspections Go Smoothly. Additionally, mark your calendars for a special collaborative webinar with ACMS and ASMH, Mastering the Art of Eyelid Tissue Processing on September 16 at 8:00 p.m. ET, an exciting opportunity to connect with our colleagues across the broader Mohs community. These webinars are a convenient and enriching way to earn CEUs, and we’d love to hear your suggestions for future topics. Your input truly shapes the direction of our programming. Plus, they are a FREE resource for ASMH members.

Looking ahead, planning for the 2026 Annual Meeting in Austin, Texas will begin in the coming weeks! If there’s a topic you’re passionate about or an idea you’d like to share, now is the perfect time to start thinking about getting involved. And if you’re considering presenting for the first time but feel a little nervous, consider teaming up with a more seasoned colleague—we’d love to support you in taking that next step. For more information or to express your interest please contact info@mohstech.org.

Wishing you all a wonderful rest of the summer, and I look forward to all the exciting opportunities ahead for ASMH in the coming year.

Warmly,

Camille Pellone-McKay, M.Ed., BSHCA, HTL, CLT
President, American Society for Mohs Histotechnology (ASMH)

From Inspired to Involved: My experience attending the 2025 ASMH conference. 

By Tonette Pressley, ASMH Annual Meeting Scholarship Winner

Greetings! My name is Tonette Pressley, and I was honored to be the recipient of the Annual Meeting Scholarship for the 2025 ASMH Conference in Nashville, TN. This experience was not only educational and inspiring but also a milestone in my professional journey as a Mohs histotechnician. I’ve been working in the Mohs field since 2019 under the leadership and guidance of Drs. Carl Washington and Maren Cotes. I’ve been in the dermatology field since 2006. 

The Gaylord Opryland Resort alone left me in awe; having the conference there was nothing short of incredible. The conference committee was welcoming and well-organized. Despite the vastness of the venue, the layout, combined with the assistance of hotel staff and conference volunteers, made it easy to navigate and check in. Volunteers are truly the heartbeat of this conference, and I was deeply appreciative of them. 

One standout moment for me was volunteering in the Advanced Cryostat Workshop, which deepened my understanding of difficult sections like the “Burrow’s tail,” eyelids, and my personal favorite — cartilage! I also had the opportunity to share with the attendees what works in my lab and gain insight from others on how they manage tricky specimens. Being exposed to different types of cryostats was more eye-opening than I expected. We rarely get that hands-on exposure outside of our own labs. 

Also, no matter how much you think you know about CLIA, the inspectors will find a way to remind you there’s always more to learn. I learn something new about CLIA at every conference — and after every inspection! My logs get better and more complete each time. 

Attending the 2025 ASMH Conference in Nashville was a full-circle moment for me. I was inspired at my first conference in Phoenix, I returned this year not only as a scholarship recipient but also as a panelist on the “New Techs Panel.” Sharing experiences with Julissa and Brittney and engaging in conversations about the Mohs field was both empowering and soul-nourishing. The conference offered valuable education, networking, and a renewed sense of purpose. I’m grateful to the scholarship committee for this opportunity and remain committed to giving back through mentorship and continued professional growth.

Attending My First ASMH Annual Meeting

By Sarah Petit, MS, MLS(ASCP), ASMH Annual Meeting Fist Time Scholarship Winner

My name is Sarah Petit, and I was honored to receive the ASMH scholarship to attend my first Annual Meeting in 2025. I joined the Mohs team at Dermatology Associates, University of Rochester, NY, in October 2024, and it has been a fast-paced and rewarding learning experience as a histotechnician. After learning about the ASMH meeting from my mentors, I was excited and motivated to attend. It was a privilege to connect with fellow histotechs, build a network of peers, and - most importantly - gain valuable knowledge directly from experts in the Mohs field.

Unfortunately, I missed the registration for the workshops this year, as they filled up quickly due to high demand. I would strongly recommend that new histo-techs register for these Mohs workshops as early as possible in the process to ensure they can attend. These sessions are a great opportunity to learn from and gain hands-on experience.

I really enjoyed the variety of panels presented this year. The New Techs Panel was particularly beneficial, as I was able to relate closely to the pros and cons discussed during the training process. Hearing the perspectives of other Mohs trainees like myself—learning about their struggles and, most importantly, the rewarding feeling of clearing cancer—was incredibly validating and inspiring. The Embedding Panel was also highly informative. It was valuable to learn about the different embedding methods used in Mohs, such as the glass slide, heat extractor, freezing bar, and knife block techniques. Comparing these to the method I was trained on—the cryoembedder method—gave me a broader understanding of the various approaches and their practical applications. The Communication Panel was also excellent, highlighting the most effective methods of communication between Mohs surgeons and Mohs histotechnicians.

The Troubleshooting Forum was both informative and engaging. As an interactive discussion, it encouraged participation from histotechnicians who shared valuable tips, tricks, and techniques useful to professionals at all experience levels. I especially appreciated that attendees had the opportunity to submit their questions in advance—either at the registration desk or prior to the sessions—which was an excellent approach to ensure a wide range of topics were addressed while allowing for anonymous contributions.

I greatly enjoyed the presentation on Reconstruction, which covered various methods for repairing defects following Mohs surgery. As a new tech in a Mohs laboratory, I often hear surgeons and nurses discussing flaps, grafts, side-to-side closures, healing by secondary intent, and more—terms I hadn’t fully visualized or understood before. This session significantly broadened my understanding, especially through the helpful photos that clearly illustrated these surgical techniques. It also gave me valuable insight into a side of Mohs surgery that I don’t typically observe from the lab perspective.

Attending my first annual ASMH meeting in Nashville, TN, as a scholarship recipient was an incredible and truly memorable experience. Over the course of two days, I gained invaluable knowledge and connected with many inspiring individuals. It is deeply rewarding to know that the quality of our work as histotechnicians plays a vital role in saving the lives of skin cancer patients. This opportunity was both an honor and a privilege, and it has further fueled my passion and commitment to this meaningful field. I look forward to attending future ASMH meetings and continuing to grow both personally and professionally.

New ASMH Webinars

Two new webinars have just been announced! Free to ASMH members, join us on August 21 at 7:00 p.m. ET/6:00 p.m. CT for Tipping Your Cap for CAP: Tips on How to Make Inspections Go Smoothly. Learn how to prepare for inspections, understand the difference between CAP and CLIA, and how they work together while developing a structured format to ensure success. 

Plus, join us on September 16 at 8:00 p.m. ET/7:00 p.m. CT for a joint webinar with the American College of Mohs Surgery. Be on the lookout for more details coming soon about Mastering the Art of Eyelid Tissue Processing. 

Learn more and register for your next webinar at mohstech.org/membership/webinars.

Accommodations in the Mohs Laboratory

By Zipporah Cassidy, B.S.

The Mohs laboratory may sometimes be small but it is mighty, as are the histotechs who work in them. But sometimes even the mighty need assistance from time to time.  Mohs histotechs should not be afraid to ask for accommodations if they feel they could benefit from them to make their work flow more smoothly.  I personally have been a Mohs histotech for almost 10 years, and during that time I have asked for and received the following accommodations: 

  • A bright lamp for grossing
  • A stool for the cryostat to sit on while cutting
  • A padded chair to sit on between cases
  • Padded floor mats in front of the grossing station and the staining rack
  • A phone in the lab to contact the surgeon
  • A laptop computer for Mohs related paperwork
  • Permission to arrive early for extra time to set up the lab
  • Permission to work on the weekend instead of staying late if needed 
  • Help from other staff delivering slides to the surgeon if needed
  • The use of a medical alert service dog
  • Permission to knit between cases if there is no work to be done

This is just a small sample of the possible accommodations you can request and receive while working as a Mohs histotech. Another popular accommodation for those who are hearing impaired is to use a light with a button system for the surgeon to get the histotech’s attention without physically touching them. Computerizing all paperwork can also be a very easy and reasonable accommodation for those working in multiple labs who need more frequent access to the data.

The many possible ways to improve your time and success in the Mohs lab are only limited by your imagination. Do not let small easily fixable issues linger and turn into bigger problems. Ask for accommodations early and try to have a letter from your doctor or therapist requesting the accommodation for best results.

Become a Trainer

ASMH members interested in becoming a trainer with the Mohs Technician Training program are invited to download the application materials. 

In order to be eligible, applicants must have:

  • At least 3 years experience as a Mohs tech
  • Previously trained Mohs techs
  • High-quality slides
  • Approval from their ACMS member surgeon

Applicants with preliminary approval will be required to submit slides for blind evaluation. ASMH staff wiill provide instruction as necessary. Contact info@mohstech.org for additional information.

Individual Trainings

The on-site individualized training is designed as an intensive troubleshooting session, tailored to meet the needs and goals of the trainee. This two-day training is scheduled at the trainee's workplace. After submitting an enrollment form, the ASMH office will match you with a trainer. You and your trainer will determine the dates that work best for you, as well as decide on the curriculum for the upcoming training. This two-day training program is designed to be specific to the areas in which you would like to improve your skills. As the trainee, you or your office is liable for both the training fee and any travel or lodging costs necessary to complete the training in your facility.

Additional information is available here.

Get Involved

Get involved with ASMH! The Newsletter Committee works to bring fresh content, information, and tips to our membership through seasonal e-newsletters. All submissions that work to advance the knowledge of Histologists are welcome and included in the newsletter. Interested in having YOUR work published? Email us at info@mohstech.org.