Cytotechnologist of the Year Awards

Donna Russell, M.Ed, CFIAC was awarded the 2022 Cytotechnologist of the Year 2022 Award for her Exemplary Record of Teaching, Mentoring and Leading Students and Practitioners in the Evolving Science of Cytology at Local, National and International Levels.

Donna is a graduate of the State University of New York – Upstate Medical Center in Syracuse, NY and has been an employee at the University of Rochester Medical Center for over 35 years. She received her Master’s in Education from the University of Rochester Graduate School of Education and currently is the Education Coordinator of the Cytopathology Resident/Fellow Training program at the University of Rochester. She also is the Program Director of the Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center/Daemen College School of Cytotechnology. She currently is educating the eighth class from this Master’s level program in cytology.

Donna is an active member of numerous cytology organizations. Her special interests are in gynecologic, cell block preparation, ROSE and telecytology. She has published book chapters and many manuscripts in all areas of cytology. Donna has played an active role in teaching within the IAC, ECC, ASC, ASCP, ASCT and CAP. She has presenting numerous workshops, panel luncheons, and teleconferences in diagnostic cytopathology and related topics. She enjoys traveling, gardening, hiking and skiing.

Jen-Sheng Ko, BS, CFIAC was awarded the 2021 Cytotechnologist of the year Award for his Contributions to the Improvement of Techniques for Cancer Detection and for his support of Multi-National Professional Collaborations.

Ko Jen Sheng started training as a cytotechnologist in Japan in 1987. In 1989, he successfully passed the CT(IAC) examination and became a member of IAC. In 1999, he was elevated to Fellow (CFIAC), the only one in Taiwan.

Since his return to Taiwan from Japan in 1990, he has been devoted to clinical practice and teaching in Sun Yat-Sen Cancer Center. During this period, he was elected as a board member in the Taiwan Society of Cytology, in charge of setting up and promoting qualification examinations for Taiwanese cytotechnologists as well as encouraging young cytotechnologists to do research and publish.

He was also the chairman of the subcommittee in the Taiwan Society of Clinical Cytology for establishing regulations to assure quality surveillance for the hospitals in the clinical practice.

Masami Nambu, PhD, CT(IAC) was awarded the 2020 Cytotechnologist of the Year Award for his Leadership in Promoting International Education and Laboratory Practice Opportunities for Cytotechnologists and for Expanding the Morpho-Molecular Understanding of Cancer.

Masami Nambu is a professor at the Department of Medical Technology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Kumamoto Health Science University. He earned his master’s degree in 2005 and a PhD in 2011. He is a specialist in lymphocytic disease and has published 35 papers. He is deeply interested in cell morphometry and continues his research to this day.

He is no stranger to IAC congresses and in the past has made several presentations, he has also greatly contributed to international activities. He is a member of the Council of the Japanese Society of Clinical Cytology and the International Exchange Committee of the Japanese Society of Clinical Cytology. He is a former Chair of the International Committee of the Japanese Society of cytotechnologists.

As well as acting as Chairman of the International Committee of the Japanese Society of cytotechnologists, one of his outstanding achievments was organizing the “Asian Seminar”. For over 15 years the time and effort he invested in this seminar has enabled cytotechnologists of three countries; Taiwan, Korea and Japan to develop strong friendships, and today, this seminar is highly regarded offering good training opportunities to young cytotechnologists aiming for international academic activities.

With his vision that “Faith is the compass of life” Masami Nambu has indeed found his own worthy pathway.