ASLMS Women in Energy-Based Devices

Bringing together the extraordinary mix of women that are a part of ASLMS

ASLMS recognizes and honors women in energy-based devices. Our focus is women from all specialties involved in ASLMS, including scientists, clinicians, allied health practitioners, and industry partners.

Celebration of ASLMS Women in Energy-Based Devices

Thursday, May 7, 2026 | 4:30 PM - 6:30 PM EDT | Chatham BC

Join us for the 11th Annual Celebration of ASLMS Women in Energy-Based Devices (WEBD) to enjoy networking and inspiration. Enjoy complimentary light hors d'oeuvres, beverages, outstanding speakers, great conversations, and more. All attendees are welcome!

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Event and awards sponsored by:

Melanie C. Grossman, MD Award for Leadership, Mentorship, and Advocacy for Women in Medical Science

The ASLMS Leadership, Mentorship & Public Advocacy for Women in Medical Science Award was established in 2015 to honor an individual who has significantly promoted the professional development of women in specialties using lasers and/or energy-based devices through teaching, mentoring, organizational leadership, or public advocacy.

In 2021, the award was renamed to honor Melanie C. Grossman, MD, a long-standing ASLMS member, who passed away early in the year. Dr. Grossman's contributions to lasers and energy-based devices were significant, and she was a good friend to many of our members. Her contributions to our Society and her brilliance in her field will continue to be remembered through this annual award.

The award is presented each year during the Celebration of ASLMS Women in Energy-Based Devices Event.

Melanie C. Grossman, MD Award for Leadership, Mentorship, and Advocacy for Women in Medical Science

2026 Recipient: Fernanda H. Sakamoto, MD, PhD

Thank you to the 2026 sponsor of this award: Candela

ASLMS Women in Energy-Based Devices Early Career Development Award

This award is given in recognition of a high-quality abstract study, submitted by the abstract deadline, by an Early Career author, and accepted to an abstract session for the current ASLMS Annual Conference.

The selected awardee receives an award plaque and $500. The award is presented each year during the Celebration of ASLMS Women in Energy-Based Devices Event.

About ASLMS Women in Energy-Based Devices

Juanita J. Anders, PhD founded the ASLMS Women in Energy-Based Devices group in 2015. Dr. Anders is affiliated with the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences as a Professor of Anatomy, Physiology, and Genetics, and Professor of Neuroscience. She served as ASLMS President from 2014-2015.

The goals of this group are to:

Highlight the excellence of women involved in ASLMS
Address the challenges women may confront in academic and other professional settings
Advance networking and training opportunities for ASLMS women
Educate ASLMS members about gender-bias
Encourage young women to choose STEM careers, especially those involving energy-based technologies

Juanita J. Anders, PhD
ASLMS PRESIDENT 2014‑15

Mentorship

Dr. Merete Haedersdal reflects on the importance of mentorship

"Mentorship is the key to how we can support our younger colleagues. It is about academic guidance. You have to teach colleagues how to do high-quality research, how to write a scientific paper, how to deliver lectures, and so on. But it is also about mental guidance, determining what drives them, what motivates them. The best mentors not only act as relatable role models, but also take steps to identify what drives the individual, where their strengths lie, and how far each would like to go."

Merete Haedersdal, MD, PhD, DMSc
ASLMS 2019 Recipient of the ASLMS Leadership, Mentorship & Public Advocacy for Women in Medical Science Award

Dr. Kristen Kelly reflects on ASLMS & the mentorship she received

"I attended my first ASLMS meeting in San Diego in 1998. I presented a multi-center study in the Cutaneous session. At the time, the audience seemed quite large. Ken Arndt and Jeff Dover were running the session and helped me feel welcome on the podium. My mentor for the project was J. Stuart Nelson and working on this project allowed me to work with other prominent laser surgeons including Gary Lask and Roy Geronemus. I loved the meeting and the science that was presented. I made sure to ask questions and to attend the events so I could interact with some of the leadership. Each year after 1998, I became a little more involved in the Society until last year when I had the honor of serving as the Society president. The ASLMS has given me many opportunities and has provided me mentors and colleagues that I consult throughout the year. My career would not be the same without the ASLMS."

Kristen M. Kelly, MD
ASLMS PRESIDENT 2016-17