Vivian Pijuan-Thompson, Ph.D., has been named president of the American Society of Cytotechnology (ASCT). She took over the role at the conclusion of the group’s annual meeting on April 21, 2013.
Pijuan-Thompson is the director and associate professor of the cytology program in the Department of Clinical and Diagnostic Sciences at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB). She is the Region 4 Director for ASCT, covering nine states and Puerto Rico. She is also an active member of the American Society of Cytopathology, American Society for Clinical Pathology and the Cytology Association of Alabama.
Under her leadership, the cytology program at UAB transitioned from an undergraduate degree to a graduate degree. She is an avid supporter of expanding the cytotechnologists’ scope of practice to integrate molecular diagnostics and new technologies. Pijuan-Thompson has developed courses in molecular diagnostics for cytotechnology students and online continuing education modules for cytotechnology professionals.
She began her career as a cytotechnologist for Quality Laboratory Association, Inc. in Hollywood, Fla., and held cytotechnologist positions at National Health Laboratories, Inc. and SmithKline Bioscience, both in Florida. Pijuan-Thompson has served as faculty for the cytotechnology program in the School of Health Professions since 1997 and has held the position of program director since 2005.