IHL taps cytotechnologist as black history honoree

Associate professor Zelma Cason started her career at the Medical Center and she says she’ll end it here, too.

Cason, who serves as director of the cytotechnology program, was named a 2009 Black History Honoree by the Mississippi Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning in a presentation during the board’s Feb. 19 meeting. She was among 11 other educators around the state recognized by the board.

A native of Meadville, Cason arrived at UMMC as a student in 1966, receiving her certificate in the Cytotechnology Training Program at the end of that year. “I loved it here from the start,” she said.

Cason has been teaching students since 1970 and in 2004 earned a master’s degree in Clinical Health Sciences at the Medical Center.

As head of the cytotechnology program in the Department of Diagnostic and Clinical Health Sciences in the School of Health Related Professions, it’s her responsibility to see that all aspects of the program are carried out, including overseeing accreditation matters, student activities and admissions. She also handles all the scheduling for the students in her department. But when asked, she says teaching is where her heart is.

“I think that students come first,” she said. “They’re going to be in a position to save lives, and we can’t shortchange them.”

Of those who have graduated from the program during her time as director, 40 percent have been African-American. Cason also participates in the SHRP Multicultural Summer Outreach Program, designed to get minority high school and college students interested in health-care careers.

Student Anita White says Cason is like an encyclopedia.

“We call her the mother of cytotechnology. She gets excited about it, so you get excited about it.”

-Matt Westerfield

 

2009-03-17 00:00:00 3520