AMHERST, N.Y. – Three graduate students in Daemen College’s specialized cytotechnology program were recognized at a white coat ceremony held at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, the educational partner for the program.

Honored at the white coat ceremony were Lia Harmon of Tonawanda, Jessica Pillard of Silver Creek, and Samantha Wozniak of Lancaster. The white coat ceremony is a symbolic rite of passage that officially recognizes cytotechnology students for their professional commitment to health care and clinical excellence in their field.

"We are proud of these exceptional cytotechnology students, who are now completing their training at Roswell Park,” said Dr. Diane Ramos, chair and associate professor of natural sciences. “Through this unique educational partnership, our students are learning from Roswell Park’s senior cytotechnologists and pathologists to develop the hands-on skills and knowledge needed to provide the highest quality patient care.”

Cytotechnology is a specialty within the spectrum of medical care that involves the microscopic interpretation of cells to detect cancer and other abnormalities. Daemen’s 4+1 program offers students the opportunity to earn in five years a bachelor’s degree in biology and a master’s degree in cytotechnology in partnership with Roswell Park, where the final year of the program involves intensive, specialized study.

At the end of Daemen’s graduate program, students are eligible to take the national certification exam given by the Board of Registry of the American Society for Clinical Pathology. To date, the college’s cytotechnology students have had a 100 percent pass rate on the certification exam and a 100 percent job placement rate.

According to the U.S. Bureau for Labor Statistics, the job outlook for clinical laboratory technologists and technicians, including cytotechnologists, is projected to grow 11 percent from 2018 to 2028, much faster than the average for all occupations. An increase in the aging population is expected to lead to a greater need to diagnose medical conditions, such as cancer, through laboratory procedures.

Additional information on Daemen’s cytotechnology program is available by contacting Dr. Diane Ramos at 839-8560 or dramos@daemen.edu.