October 12, 2021
Meet Crystal Idleburg, HT(ASCP)
Lead Research Specialist Histology
Where are you from?
St. Louis, MO.
What brought you to Washington University Orthopedics?
I started as a Barnes-Jewish Hospital employee. I was employed in different departments of the hospital until I worked as a gross room and accessioning technician in surgical pathology -- and that is where my passion for histotechnology began. I became a certified histotechnician by the American Society of Clinical Pathology, and left clinical histology to become a research specialist in histology for the Musculoskeletal Research Core.
What is histology?
Histotechnology is a science centering on the microscopic detection of tissue abnormalities for disease diagnosis and the treatment of diseases. Utilizing specific reagents, chemicals, and dyes. This knowledge of chemical reactions, combined with an understanding of tissue composition, allows the histotechnologist to stain the tissue in a way that distinguishes distinct tissue and cellular structures. The difference in appearance of these tissue cells under a microscope allows a pathologist or researcher to ultimately render a diagnosis and guides treatment options.
What aspect of your work do you find most interesting or rewarding?
The most interesting part of being a histology technician is the art and skill to perform thin microtomy sections of various tissue structures (muscles, bone, cartilage, etc.) and components for microscopic viewing. Histology is one of the integral components utilized by principal investigators, post docs and graduate students to differentiate the tissue cellular details for research in the Musculoskeletal Research Core.
What is your favorite thing to do outside of work?
I like spending time with family (my husband, three sons, daughter-in-law and two-year-old grandson) and friends, reading, listening to all genres of music (specifically gospel and jazz), watching movies, designing crafts, learning how to play the piano. I'm thinking of taking voice lessons, too!
What’s the best advice you ever received?
Stay humble, thankful and grateful. No matter what job you have or have to do, do it to the best of your abilities and give it your all. Sometimes you may have to go above and beyond what is asked of you.
If you weren’t in health care, what would you like to be doing?
An event planner and caterer. I have planned weddings, birthday parties, social gatherings and catered the events as well in the past.
Crystal's office is located in the BJC Institute of Health on the 11th floor. Learn more about Washington University Orthopedics, and why patients choose us for their care.