Mayo Clinic's histology technician training facilities were designed specifically for the program and are in close proximity to the histology-based laboratories. The facilities provide an excellent training environment, and each area has state-of-the-art equipment.

Teaching faculty

The Histology Technician Program is coordinated and taught by the clinical, scientific, and technical staff of Mayo Clinic. Faculty members are chosen for their commitment to teaching, as well as clinical practice and research. Many have published and lectured extensively and are highly regarded in their fields.

Students have direct access to these individuals throughout their training. This gives students the opportunity to learn directly from some of today's best histology practitioners.

Current teaching faculty includes:

Kelly Klein-Wallace, M.S., HTL(ASCP)^CM

Kelly Klein-Wallace graduated from Upper Iowa University in 2001 with a B.S. in Sports Science. She joined Mayo Clinic in 2005 and later completed the MCSHS Histology Technician Program in 2010, earning her HTL certification. Following completion of the program, she transitioned into a histology technologist role within the Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology. In 2019, she earned a master's degree in higher education, integrative studies from Capella University. She holds academic rank as an Instructor of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology within Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science.

Ms. Klein-Wallace has served as a faculty member in the MCSHS Histology Technician Program since 2015 and was appointed Program Director in 2025. In this role, she provides oversight of program operations and student progress while delivering a substantial portion of the curriculum. Her additional responsibilities include providing continuing education for allied health staff within the Division of Anatomic Pathology, supporting resident training, and mentoring clinical laboratory staff. Ms. Klein-Wallace is active in professional organizations, including the Minnesota Society for Histotechnology (MSH), where she serves as a board member and previously held the role of treasurer, and the National Society for Histotechnology (NSH).

Andrea Greer, HTL(ASCP)^CM

Andrea Greer graduated from the College of Saint Benedict in 2018 with a B.A. in Biology. She holds academic rank within Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science as an Instructor of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology. Ms. Greer completed the MCSHS Histology Technician Program in 2019, earning her HTL certification, and subsequently joined the Mayo Clinic histology laboratory. Within the laboratory, Ms. Greer served as a Technical Advisor and contributed as a trainer and clinical instructor in microtomy. In 2023, she advanced to the role of Senior Histotechnologist.

In 2025, Ms. Greer joined the MCSHS Histology Technician Program as an Education Specialist I. She supports student laboratory learning by fostering the development of foundational technical skills and teaches microanatomy coursework within the histology curriculum. She contributes to the training of first-year residents in histologic techniques, serves as the primary liaison to the MCSHS HT Program Advisory Committee, and assists the Program Director with overall program operations.

Naomi Hensman

Naomi Hensman graduated from Carthage College in Kenosha, WI with a B.A. in Math. She holds academic rank within Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science as an Instructor of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology. Ms. Hensman began her career at Mayo Clinic as a Pathology Reporting Specialist in Anatomic Pathology. This is where she discovered the exciting, amazing, and evolving world of microscope tissue examination.  

Ms. Hensman began her current role as Education Specialist and became a core faculty member of the MCSHS Histology Technician Program in 2022. Her responsibilities within the Histology Technician Program focus on teaching the Professional Development I and II courses. The content in these courses focus on the RICH TIES values of Mayo Clinic to help students grow good professional habits, develop better self-awareness to recognize their strengths, and discuss topics that encourage optimal interactions with colleagues and leadership. She also supports the division of Anatomic Pathology in developing, implementing, and facilitating continuing education for allied health staff, residents, fellow, and consultants, and organizing orientation training sessions for new residents and employees.

Clinical instructors

Each of our clinical laboratories on all three campuses has dedicated clinical instructors who participate in the education of the students. They are board-certified histology technicians and technologists with a wealth of experience in the field of histotechnology.

Course	Credits
Histological Techniques I This course introduces the fundamental safety practices and instrumentation used in the routine histology laboratory and provides knowledge and skills in the histological techniques of tissue collection, accessioning, grossing, decalcification, and fixation. This course focuses on quality and recognizing errors within completed materials. Curriculum is delivered through online learning modules and hands-on experiential learning opportunities within the laboratory setting.	4
Histological Techniques II This course introduces the knowledge and skills in the histological techniques of processing, embedding, microtomy, frozen sectioning with a cryostat, nuclear and cytoplasmic staining, laboratory math and digital pathology. The course focuses on quality and recognizing errors within completed materials. Curriculum is delivered through online learning modules and hands-on experiential learning opportunities within the laboratory setting.	5
Microanatomy I This course provides a comprehensive analysis of the microscopic structure of human anatomy. It focuses on the basic function and microscopic arrangement of healthy human cells, tissues, and organs. Topics include epithelium, connective tissue and muscle, bone and cartilage, integumentary, female and male reproductive, the GI tract and accessory organs (liver, pancreas, and gallbladder), circulatory, nervous, immune, respiratory and urinary systems. Curriculum is delivered through online learning modules and interactive virtual microscope sessions.	2
Professional Development I This interprofessional course is designed to introduce essential skills and principles necessary for professional excellence in the healthcare setting. The curriculum integrates theoretical knowledge with practical applications to prepare students for effective communication, teamwork, and ethical practice. Students will gain foundational skills to develop their professional persona and excel as allied health professionals committed to delivering high-quality patient care. Curriculum is delivered through online learning modules and interactive classroom opportunities. Arizona and Florida students participate through our virtual classroom.	1

Course	Credits
Histochemical Staining This course introduces the fundamental practices of histochemical staining. It provides knowledge and skills in the staining techniques of carbohydrates and amyloid, connective tissue and muscle, nerve, microorganisms, and pigments, minerals, and cytoplasmic granules. Curriculum is delivered through online learning modules and hands-on experiential learning opportunities within the laboratory setting.	3
Histology Clinical Rotation This course provides the opportunity to strengthen technical skills and develop entry-level competency in the areas of small biopsy grossing, embedding, frozen sectioning, and microtomy. Technical skills and troubleshooting ability are expanded upon, and emphasis is placed on quality, productivity, teamwork, and professionalism in the workplace. Curriculum is delivered through online learning modules and hands-on experiential learning opportunities within the laboratory setting.	4
Microanatomy II This course reviews the basic function and microscopic arrangement of healthy human cells, tissues, and organs. It then expands upon this knowledge by exploring the pathology of related disease states and the impact of routine histology procedures on the microscopic quality of patient samples. Curriculum is delivered through online learning modules and interactive virtual microscope sessions.	2
Professional Development II This interprofessional course is a continuation of Professional Development I.  Students will explore a wide range of topics designed to further cultivate professionalism in the healthcare setting, enhance critical thinking, grow as a leader, and prepare them for success in their chosen allied health career. Throughout the course, students will engage in interactive activities and discussions to apply theoretical knowledge to real-world scenarios. Curriculum is delivered through online learning modules and interactive classroom sessions. Arizona and Florida students participate through our virtual classroom.	1
Histology Enrichment This course introduces the fundamental theory and practices of special studies in histotechnology, to include immunohistochemistry, enzyme histochemistry, cytology preparation and electron microscopy. It also serves as a review course in preparation for the national ASCP board of certification exam. Curriculum is delivered through online learning modules and hands-on experiential learning opportunities within the laboratory setting.	2

Professional knowledge (cognitive): Demonstrate an understanding of the foundational principles of histotechnology; Describe the principles of electron microscopy, enzyme histochemistry, immunohistochemistry, and cytology preparation; Identify tissue structures and related pathologic diseases; Analyze tissue structures for quality based on histological technique and staining method; Demonstrate proficiency in the critical reading and assessment of literature; Discuss the need for continued professional growth and development.

Professional skills (psychomotor): Demonstrate the ability to operate the tools and instrumentation in histotechnology; Demonstrate entry-level competency in all routine histological procedures; Demonstrate efficiency and timely completion of assigned responsibilities; Practice the principles of safety as a histology technician within the laboratory setting; Perform quality control measures to improve histologic results; Troubleshoot errors in histotechnology through systematic reasoning and problem resolution; Establish effective working relationships with other health care professionals.

Professional attitudes, behaviors, and cultural competencies (affective): Practice professional and ethical conduct in the laboratory setting; Foster a culture of inclusivity, diversity, equity, and mutual respect; Apply interpersonal communication skills sufficient to meet the needs of the patients and members of the healthcare team; Engage in a service initiative to promote the civic responsibility of healthcare workers in society.