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, April 24, 2025 | 5:00 PM - 6:30 PM EDT
Join us for the 10th 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!
Featured Speaker: Tina S. Alster, MD, FAAD
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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
2025 Recipient: Christine C. Dierickx, MD
Thank you to the 2025 sponsor of this award: Candela Medical
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.
ASLMS Women in Energy-Based Devices Early Career Development Award
2025 Recipient: Harshita Ryali, MBBS, MRCP
Abstract Title: A PROSPECTIVE AUDIT OF FULLY ABLATIVE AND FRACTIONAL ABLATIVE CARBON DIOXIDE LASER ASSISTED PHOTODYNAMIC THERAPY FOR BASAL CELL CARCINOMA
Thank you to the 2025 sponsor of this award: Candela Medical
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
Mentorship
Merete Haedersdal, MD, PhD, DMSc
ASLMS 2019 Recipient of the ASLMS Leadership, Mentorship &
Public Advocacy for Women in Medical Science Award
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."
Kristen M. Kelly, MD
ASLMS PRESIDENT 2016-17
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."