ASLMS Mentorship Program

Emilee A. Herringshaw, MD, MBA, shares her experience with her mentor, Catherine M. DiGiorgio, MD

I am deeply grateful for the guidance and mentorship of Dr. Catherine DiGiorgio through the ASLMS Mentorship Program. Through our project investigating laser purchasing patterns, I was challenged to think critically about real-world decision making in the selection of lasers and energy-based devices. This prompted me to examine existing resources that guide the acquisition process and to consider how clinical needs, operational and financial considerations, and organizational structures inform how practices are equipped.                                                              

Under Dr. DiGiorgio’s mentorship, I engaged directly with the laser community through the development and dissemination of a survey designed to capture firsthand experiences with device selection. Creating this instrument required careful consideration of clinical indications, available technologies, and practice composition, particularly in an area that remains relatively underexplored in the literature. I valued the iterative process of refining the survey and am grateful for Dr. DiGiorgio’s thoughtful engagement in shaping questions that meaningfully captured various decision-making domains. Using the collected data, we performed statistical analyses to stratify purchasing patterns and identify factors influencing decision making across diverse practice settings. 

Engaging in mentor–mentee research within the ASLMS framework broadened my exposure to the evolving landscape of lasers and energy-based devices while providing a unique and meaningful mentorship experience. This work deepened my interest in exploring laser applications and understanding the use of energy-based devices. I was curious to discover how  training background, experience, and available resources influence the ability to serve patients.   

I am sincerely thankful for the mentorship, encouragement, critical analysis fostered through this experience. The ASLMS Mentorship Program has been invaluable in shaping how I approach research and project design, and these lessons will continue to guide my work throughout my career. I highly encourage other ASLMS members to apply to this program, which offers exceptional mentorship, meaningful engagement with the laser community, and excellent exposure to laser applications in clinical practice.

Utilization and Purchase Patterns of Energy-Based Devices for the Treatment of Cutaneous Conditions in Practice | Selected as an ePoster for ASLMS 2026

Lily Park, DO shares her experience with her mentor, Swati Kannan, MD

I had the privilege of working with Dr. Swati Kannan on a book chapter focused on nonsurgical periorbital rejuvenation through the ASLMS mentorship program. Dr. Kannan met me on Zoom and reviewed my drafts multiple times, offering insightful teaching points and constructive feedback. Through this process, she encouraged me to explore articles on laser treatments and regenerative medicine, which deepened my understanding of various lasers and energy-based devices for skin rejuvenation. I also developed valuable skills in organizing and writing a comprehensive review paper covering lasers, energy-based devices, injectables, and regenerative medicine. I am incredibly grateful for this experience that allowed me to grow. I highly recommend that interested trainees take advantage of the ASLMS mentorship program.

Bobak Pousti, MD, MBA shares his experience with his mentor, Peter R. Shumaker, MD 

Engaging in the mentor‑mentee research under the guidance of Dr. Shumaker has significantly enhanced my critical thinking skills and refined my research capabilities. Dr. Shumaker's exemplary mentorship, coupled with his remarkable expertise as a physician, positions him as a distinguished advocate for patients on both national and international fronts. The privilege of learning under his tutelage has been a source of immense gratification and honor. Reflecting on my involvement in this project, I am deeply appreciative of the invaluable lessons garnered, which I am poised to carry forward into my professional journey as a fervent advocate for patients' rights and well-being.

Working alongside Dr. Shumaker has provided me with a profound opportunity to delve into the intricacies of research methodology and analysis. His guidance has instilled in me a deeper understanding of how to approach complex problems with analytical rigor and precision. Through his mentorship, I have cultivated the ability to critically evaluate information, discern patterns, and draw meaningful conclusions—a skill set that will undoubtedly serve as a cornerstone in my future endeavors.

Beyond his role as a mentor, Dr. Shumaker embodies the essence of a compassionate and dedicated physician. His unwavering commitment to advocating for the best interests of patients transcends geographical boundaries, manifesting in impactful contributions to healthcare both nationally and internationally. Witnessing his fervent advocacy has been not only inspiring but also instrumental in shaping my own aspirations as a future healthcare professional.

As I reflect on the culmination of this project, I am filled with gratitude for the mentorship and guidance provided by Dr. Shumaker. His mentorship has not only enriched my academic pursuits but has also left an indelible mark on my personal and professional growth. I am immensely grateful for the privilege of learning from such a distinguished mentor, and I am confident that the lessons imbibed during this journey will continue to resonate throughout my career.

Enhancing Traumatic Scar Management, A Literature Review | Access Presentation

Stephanie von Csiky-Sessoms, MD shares her experience with her mentors, Jeffrey Dover, MD, FRCPC, Thomas Rohrer, MD, and Jessica G. Labadie, MD

The intention of this project was to create easy to use laser safety checklists that can easily be implemented in healthcare facilities in order to improve safety for patients as well as healthcare providers. I worked closely with doctors Labadie, Dover, and Rohrer over the last few months to create this product. The primary goal of our mentorship project was to bridge the gap between theoretical safety guidelines and their practical implementation.

The attendings I worked with brought a wealth of real-world experience, sharing invaluable insights into the day-to-day challenges faced by healthcare practitioners. This firsthand knowledge proved instrumental in drafting checklists that were not only comprehensive but also user-friendly, ensuring that individuals across different expertise levels could easily grasp and implement safety measures. Doctors Labadie, Dover and Rohrer worked with me to fine-tune the language, structure, and content of the checklists. This iterative process ensured that the final product was not only accurate and thorough but also aligned with the practical needs and preferences of end-users.

Device-Specific Checklists for Laser Safety | Access Document

Jonathan Kentley, MBBS, MSc shares his experience with his mentor, Anthony Rossi, MD, FAAD

The ASLMS mentorship has been a hugely beneficial experience, which I have no doubt will positively impact my future career. As a UK-based dermatology resident, we receive very little exposure to lasers during our training and the mentorship has allowed me to build a baseline knowledge of the different types of energy-based devices employed in dermatology and their indications.
 
Working with Dr. Anthony Rossi afforded me an unparalleled opportunity to learn from one of the leaders in the field, and he drew my attention to a number of principles I had not come across in my reading. Furthermore, I have a particular interest in setting up a local laser unit to manage chronic radiation dermatitis, and Dr. Rossi has been tremendously supportive in providing advice to allow me to achieve my long-term career goals.
 
Writing the primer allowed me to take an extensive “deep dive” into the literature, increasing my understanding of physics, tissue interactions, and the many different types of laser available. I was surprised to find how many cutaneous lesions are suitable for treatment with energy-based devices and enjoyed reviewing the images of clinical response to treatment in the many papers that I read.
 
The mentorship has allowed me to build a foundation knowledge of energy-based devices, and I hope to build on this in the future through more hands-on training to put this into practice.

Laser Primer: Vascular Lesions, Pigmented Lesions & Resurfacing | Access Document

Kavya Desai, MD, MPH shares her experience with her mentors, Nazanin Saedi, MD, and Mara Weinstein, MD

I was fortunate to learn about and participate in the ASLMS mentorship program during residency. I have an interest in treating skin of color conditions, and one of the projects really caught my eye. I loved the idea of building a primer to help educate other residents on important considerations when treating skin of color patients with laser devices.

I had a great time learning from my mentors, Dr. Nazanin Saedi and Dr. Mara Weinstein. They gave me such wonderful feedback based on their real world knowledge, experience, and review of the evidence-based practices. This experience definitely helped prepare me for clinical practice after residency.

Skin of Color Laser Primer | Access Document

Jay Chittoor, DO shares his experience with his mentor, Nazanin Saedi, MD

I am extremely grateful to ASLMS and Dr. Nazanin Saedi for the opportunity to work on the skin laxity project. Skin laxity is a widely prevalent concern for patients entering dermatology clinics, and the last three decades of research have provided us with several new technologies. The use of both energy-based devices and micro-coring have provided safe and effective, minimally invasive treatment options with rapid recovery time. In this review article, I dove deep into the mechanisms of action behind each device and highlighted salient clinical studies. Being a military resident who works with active duty members and veterans, I am particularly interested in collagen remodeling in the setting of scars and burns. Through this project, I have a much better understanding how to maximize my results safely and effectively.

Working with Dr. Saedi is inspiring, as she is at the frontier of innovation in dermatology. I’ve really enjoyed attending her lectures at ASLMS and other major conferences, and I appreciate the virtual reviews sessions she has organized for resident in-service exams. As a mentor for this project, she has provided personal insight into the benefits and drawbacks of each device and shared with me some common settings she uses in clinic.

Since my introduction into ASLMS, I’m more passionate than ever to become an expert in energy-based devices and micro-coring. Additionally, I’m excited to see what the future holds as these devices continue to revolutionize cosmetic and medical dermatology.

Minimally Invasive Procedural Treatments for Skin Laxity | Access Document