Awards

What does receiving this award mean to you? 
It is a great honor and a token of appreciation for many years of contribution to laser in dermatology.

You will deliver your award presentation, “Choosing the Right Technology. How?” at the conference. Can you share some of the highlights of your talk?
The presentation will focus on proper considerations when choosing new equipment, in light of the abundance of technologies we are flooded with and the aggressive marketing to which we are exposed in the era of social networks and increasing competition.

What highlights in your background have contributed to who you are today? 
The fact that today the world is one global village and the ability to travel and learn from the best teachers in the world, along with the fact that the country I come from is a startup nation and I was able to be exposed to innovative technologies in development stages, brought me to where I am.

How has your involvement with ASLMS contributed to your career? 
There is no doubt that ASLMS, as a non-profit organization bringing together the best people in the world in the field of laser, has contributed greatly to my professional knowledge.

Why should young researchers and clinicians become involved with ASLMS?
To learn from the best and most experienced and get creative ideas for research and ongoing work.

What is something members may not know about you?
I've also been an expert in wood turning and road cycling for many years.

What does receiving this award mean to you? 
</strongReceiving the Horace Furumoto award is an immense honor as it signifies recognition of my contribution from esteemed peers and experts in the medical laser field.

You will deliver your award presentation, “A 40-Year Journey from Blackwood to Rosewood” at the conference. Can you share some of the highlights of your talk?
Starting with a small New Jersey college with an innovative laser program, and now with the company that brought cryolipolysis-based fat reduction into clinics around the world, I’ll share highlights of my journey, with special focus on development of fractional laser treatment with the Reliant team.

What highlights in your background have contributed to who you are today?
Aside from the support of family, friends, colleagues, and mentors throughout my career, I need to credit the late Dr. Fred Seeber. As director of the CCC Laser-Photonics Dept., he instilled my deep appreciation of lasers & light. In 1984, I entered the working world at the intersection of biomedical excellence and cutting-edge lasers in a Philadelphia start-up company with some amazing researchers from Univ. of Pennsylvania. The research and lab experience we shared locked me onto the professional path of laser development and applications in medicine. Fast forwarding to 2003, I was a key member of the pivotal Reliant collaboration with the Wellman Group at MGH developing novel fractional laser treatment technology, which has become a standard of care in clinics today.

How has your involvement with ASLMS contributed to your career? 
My participation in ASLMS has been through industry-based R&D in medical devices for dermatology and aesthetics. Society members are leaders in the field, are collaborative, and strive to develop improved treatments using energy-based devices.

Why should young researchers and clinicians become involved with ASLMS?
ASLMS brings together experienced clinicians, university researchers, and experts in technology, industry, and regulatory areas. Members strive to develop and refine energy-based device treatments to improve patient outcomes and experience.

What is something members may not know about you?
My wife and I live in N. California, but back in Philly many years ago I was a Mummer (tenor banjo) for a summer season.

What does receiving this award mean to you? 
Receiving the Dr. Horace Furumoto Innovations Professional Development Distinguished Contributor Award is a deeply meaningful honor. It reflects the collective efforts of my colleagues, mentors, and team who have supported me throughout my journey in laser dermatology. This recognition strengthens my commitment to advancing solutions for diverse skin tones and inspires me to continue innovating in this field. Being based in India and receiving a global award like this is both humbling and encouraging, highlighting the importance of inclusive dermatology on an international stage.

You will deliver your award presentation, “30 Years of Excellence: Advancing Laser Dermatology for Diverse Skin Tones” at the conference. Can you share some of the highlights of your talk?
My talk will focus on the journey of integrating laser technologies into dermatology for patients with diverse skin tones, a historically underserved group. I’ll highlight key advancements in technology, the development of safer treatment protocols, and research addressing unique challenges like post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. I will also emphasize the importance of personalized, evidence-based care. The ultimate goal is to inspire future innovation and collaboration to make laser dermatology accessible to all.

What highlights in your background have contributed to who you are today?
My journey began with a deep curiosity about the intersection of technology and medicine. Training in dermatology during a time when laser treatments were emerging as a transformative tool shaped my career. My commitment to equity and diversity in healthcare inspired me to focus on solutions for skin of color, which was often underrepresented in research and clinical trials. My perspective has been shaped by the mentorship of dermatology pioneers and my experiences with patients. The constant encouragement from my family has also been essential, providing the love and support that has allowed me to reach my goals.

How has your involvement with ASLMS contributed to your career? 
ASLMS has been a cornerstone of my professional development. It has provided me with access to cutting-edge research, networking opportunities with leaders in the field, and a platform to contribute to advancements in laser dermatology. The community’s commitment to innovation and education has been instrumental in fostering collaboration and inspiring me to push boundaries in my own work.

Why should young researchers and clinicians become involved with ASLMS?
ASLMS offers an unparalleled opportunity to learn, grow, and innovate. For young researchers and clinicians, it is a platform to connect with leading experts, access the latest advancements, and share their own work. Society has a strong emphasis on mentorship, inclusivity, and education makes it a supportive environment for anyone looking to make an impact in dermatology and laser medicine.

What is something members may not know about you?
Beyond my work in dermatology, I have a strong passion for yoga and swimming, both of which promote overall wellness. My deep interest in women’s wellness, especially menopause in the skin of color, drives my focus on clinical research in this area. Understanding the intersection of hormonal changes and skin health is a key aspect of my work, and I’m dedicated to advancing research that addresses these challenges.

What does receiving this award mean to you? 
Receiving this award reinforces my belief in the power of nursing and acknowledges the vital role that nurses play within the healthcare system, particularly in specialized fields such as laser medicine. By implementing the advanced laser treatments learned at ASLMS, I have witnessed the profound impact of combining expert knowledge with compassionate care. These treatments help patients regain confidence and enhance their quality of life, inspiring my commitment to excellence in my practice.

You will deliver your award presentation, “Transforming Lives Through Compassion and Collaborative Care” at the conference. Can you share some of the highlights of your talk?
In my presentation, I will discuss how, as healthcare professionals, we are invited guests in our patients' lives, and it is a privilege to be part of their story. We have the responsibility to use our expertise to enhance their quality of life. Seeing how our work can change the trajectory of their lives and transform sad stories into positive ones is one of my greatest rewards.

What highlights in your background have contributed to who you are today? 
I have been honored to be mentored by two of the world’s leading dermatologists, Dr. Kent Remington – who opened the first laser clinic in Canada – and his son, Dr. Todd Remington, for over 20 years. They shared not only their knowledge but also their passion for lasers, and they both supported my growth, development, and expertise. This solid foundation prepared me to be part of the international group that developed consensus guidelines for the treatment of vascular birthmarks in a collaborative project with ASLMS and the Vascular Birthmark Foundation (VBF) in 2023. I believe that my experience and background in nursing brought a unique and important perspective to this project.

How has your involvement with ASLMS contributed to your career? 
Experts within ASLMS are not only willing, but also eager to share their knowledge with all members, including nursing professionals, medical students, new graduates, and seasoned experts in their fields. Rather than fostering a competitive mindset, we collaborate to develop the best treatment plans and outcomes for our patients.

Why should young researchers and clinicians become involved with ASLMS?
ASLMS offers young researchers and clinicians free membership and discounted conference fees, providing an invaluable opportunity to engage with cutting-edge laser technology and learn from leading experts worldwide. In my opinion, this is one of the best investments for anyone, especially in the early stages of their career.

What is something members may not know about you?
After marrying a widower 12 years ago, I am proud to have a blended family that includes seven children and fifteen grandchildren, with a sixteenth grandchild on the way next month. Family is my utmost priority, and I view my membership in ASLMS as an extension of that family.

What does receiving this award mean to you?
It’s an honor to get this award, and it’s a reminder of how important mentors and mentoring can be for all of us. The award is named after Ken Arndt, a long-time mentor whose friendly advice helped steer my early career choices, and whose advice I still seek and value today. Mentoring goes well beyond teaching and friendship. It includes a mutual commitment to care about each other no matter what, while growing and going through all the changes that life entails.

You will deliver your award presentation, “What a Long, Strange Trip It’s Been (and Continues To Be),” at the conference. Can you share some of the highlights of your talk?
Well, I stole this talk’s title from the Grateful Dead, of course. Coming up with new laser treatments and diagnostics has indeed been a long, strange trip, and probably will continue to be, led by a combination of unsolved clinical problems, new technology, and sheer curiosity. When we built the first pulsed dye laser aimed at treating children with portwine stains, it was totally unclear what would happen – would skin simply die when its microcirculation was attacked this way? As I worked on “selective photothermolysis” for other things (pigmented lesions, tattoos, hair removal, cancer), we solved many problems, but every time new questions and opportunities are posed. Not only does skin survive thousands of little targeted injuries, it gets stimulated, and it survives thousands of little random injuries. Thus was born, fractional laser treatment and its many cousins. Right now, I’m working on other applications, new technologies, and laser treatments that have nothing to do with heating tissue. The long, strange trip keeps going.

What highlights in your background have contributed to who you are today?
My background amounts to a patchwork of physics, biology, teaching, and medicine. I was never “pre-med”, studying physics and biology at MIT sheerly from interest. After college, I was a jack of all trades just to pay the rent. I directed a summer camp, welded pipe, built music synthesizers, taught high school, and worked in a lab. It was not just any lab, but the one at Mass General Hospital that later became the Wellman Center. My career now uses most of that “patchwork”; I am still studying physics and biology, I still take care of children, I still teach, and even play music. I am just plain lucky to have found an area – laser biomedical research – that combines it all.

How has your involvement with ASLMS contributed to your career?
ASLMS was itself an influence in my career, especially when the annual meeting was a robust mix of diverse specialties. It wasn’t clear at all where lasers would best be used in medicine and surgery. That mystery was infectious. Later, as president of ASLMS, I invited Charles Townes, whose Nobel in 1964 was for discovery of lasers. Well into his 90’s, Dr. Townes was still sharp, and he was truly fascinated with my work. Spending days with him at the ASLMS annual meeting, I will never forget.

Why should young researchers and clinicians become involved with ASLMS?
Young scientists and physicians/clinicians should come to ASLMS because this field needs them, and vice versa. There is a robust interplay between emerging optical/energy technologies, emerging biomedical technologies, and unmet clinical needs. The scientists and the clinicians truly need each other, but would rarely intersect without ASLMS and some of its cousins. The future of this field is in their hands, not mine.

What is something members may not know about you?
Hmmmm… what might ASLMS members not know about me? Well, I’m a 74-year-old man with a 3-year-old son, among others. That means I still know how to play, in every sense of the word.

What does receiving this award mean to you?
I'm deeply honored to receive the Leon Goldman Memorial Award at our upcoming meeting. It's particularly meaningful as it's given in memory of Dr. Leon Goldman, the "Father of Laser Medicine". To receive this recognition feels wonderful, but ultimately, it is more a reflection on the excellent mentors and teachers I have been fortunate to have had throughout the years.

You will deliver your award presentation, “Laser Photons for the Soul,” at the conference. Can you share some of the highlights of your talk?
One of the most rewarding feelings for me is taking care of a patient and improving their quality of life. I am going to share a few patient stories and how having the opportunity for me to care for them has helped provide me with a fulfilling career.

What highlights in your background have contributed to who you are today?
I grew up the children of immigrants and a product of the New York City public school system. My parents raised me to value education, and that hard and honest work will take you a long way. I may not look like the prototypical American, but I've been fortunate enough to live the American dream in many ways.

How has your involvement with ASLMS contributed to your career?
I have been attending ASLMS since I was a resident, and the Society has felt like home for many reasons. It’s a wonderful multidisciplinary society, and as an MD-PhD, I love that basic scientists, engineers, and clinicians all work together to find ways to benefit human health. I've found as an early career member that many of the leaders of ASLMS were kind and curious individuals who shared their passion for excellence with newcomers. The relationships I forged allowed me to tap into many mentors and folks who helped guide my career even to the current day.

Why should young researchers and clinicians become involved with ASLMS?
I strongly encourage young researchers and clinicians to become involved with ASLMS because it offers unique opportunities to interact with leaders in the energy-based world, including clinicians, scientists, and industry representatives. The Society provides leadership opportunities for individuals at all career stages, and we are well aware that youth are indeed our future. Our annual meeting offers many opportunities to learn about the latest treatments and devices, as well as meeting the key opinion leaders of the industry.

What is something members may not know about you?
A LONG time ago, I wrestled competitively in high school and undergrad.

What does receiving this award mean to you?
Receiving the Melanie C. Grossman, MD Award means a lot to me. It recognizes my efforts in mentoring and supporting women in medical science. This award is extra special because I worked with Melanie at Wellman Labs on the hair removal project, making this recognition very personal.

You will deliver your award presentation, “Inspiring the Next Generation: My Path to Leadership in Medicine,” at the conference. Can you share some of the highlights of your talk?
Certainly! In my talk, I'll cover key moments and decisions that shaped my career. I'll talk about the challenges I faced, the mentors who helped me, and the lessons I learned. I'll also share tips on developing leadership skills and the importance of perseverance and resilience.

What highlights in your background have contributed to who you are today?
My journey is full of diverse experiences. Early in my career, I worked mainly as a clinician, which taught me empathy and patient-centered care. Later, academic training and research emphasized the importance of evidence-based medicine. Mentorship from esteemed colleagues has been crucial in shaping my professional identity.

How has your involvement with ASLMS contributed to your career?
Being part of ASLMS has been transformative for my career. It has provided opportunities to collaborate with experts, stay updated on the latest advancements, and contribute to groundbreaking research. The supportive community and resources from ASLMS have been invaluable in my professional growth.

Why should young researchers and clinicians become involved with ASLMS?
ASLMS is a vibrant and inclusive community that offers many benefits to young researchers and clinicians. It provides access to cutting-edge research, networking opportunities with industry leaders, and platforms to showcase their work. Being part of ASLMS supports professional growth, encourages collaboration, and offers crucial mentorship opportunities.

What is something members may not know about you?
Outside of my professional life, I love hiking and exploring nature. It helps me recharge and find inspiration. I also enjoy growing various flowers in my terrace garden. The process of planting, nurturing, and watching them bloom brings me great satisfaction and peace. Flowers remind me of the beauty of nature.