ASLMS Mentorship Program
The ASLMS Mentorship Program (AMP) is designed to connect residents and early career members with more senior members of our society to work on a specific project over a one-year period and build relationships. The projects may be chosen from a list of board directed initiatives or created by the mentee, and should benefit the ASLMS membership in some way.
The AMP program will be virtual and can adapt based on the mentor and mentee’s schedules. Because this is a project-based program, you will work with your mentor to clearly define the project’s goals and objectives.
Best of all, AMP is available to all ASLMS members that play a role in lasers and energy-based devices. All positions and specialties are welcome to participate.
Interested?
Step 1: Complete an application
Step 2: Identify a project from either the suggested list or create one of your own
Step 3: Ask ASLMS to find a mentor or identify one you've already selected
Step 4: Submit a completed application
(let the magic happen!)
Step 5: Complete your project!
Participation Requirements
ASLMS members who are early in their careers, new to the practice of lasers, lights, and energy based devices, or students (resident, fellow, post-doctorate) will have the opportunity to work with an established ASLMS member to complete a project either recommended by ASLMS or of personal interest. Projects are limited to those relative to ASLMS’ mission and vision.
Student and non-student applicants are welcomed to participate but membership is required. If you are not an ASLMS member, you may apply for membership by visiting Membership | Join. Special student rates are available.
Application
Applications for mentorships are being accepted. Mentor and mentee will work together to determine project completion dates. Projects should be completed within one year of the start date. No funding is available for this program.
- Choose a project from the list provided by ASLMS or submit a project of your choice. You may ask ASLMS to assign a mentor or you may coordinate a mentor in advance. Participation is subject to the availability of mentors.
- It is the responsibility of each mentor and mentee to coordinate the duration of the project.
To apply use the printable application. Work with your mentor to complete application and obtain necessary signatures.
The following documents must be attached:
- Current curriculum vitae.
- Essay (1,000 words or less) outlining career goals, educational goals and how the mentorship program will impact the applicant’s future or current practice of using lasers and other related technologies in medical and surgical applications.
- Signed and dated Mentee Release Form and Mentor Release Form
Applications should be emailed to information@aslms.org
Approval Process
The ASLMS Early Career Mentorship Committee is responsible for the final decision on approving applications for a mentorship.
Mentee applicants will be accepted based upon the merit of:
- Career and educational goals.
- How the project will impact future or current practice of using lasers and other related technologies in medical and surgical applications.
Post-Project Mentee Requirements
Upon completion of mentorship project, mentees must submit to ASLMS:
- Project results submitted in coordination with the mentor.
- Information-based projects will reside on the ASLMS website and will be accessible by members and potentially non-members. Please follow the guidelines for presentations. By submitting this project, you are giving ASLMS permission to update information provided in order to keep it accurate and current with the industry.
- Research-based projects will submit an abstract and will follow all abstract submission instructions and requirements. Research should be submitted as an abstract within two Annual Conferences to ensure project is completed in a timely fashion. While funding is not available through the ALSMS Mentorship Program, refer to the educational grant information within the Annual Conference abstract section to consider applying for funds if needed.
- Timesheet and evaluation (using the forms provided by ASLMS).
- A brief report (1,000 words or less) outlining the experience. Reports are to be submitted via email to information@aslms.org. Mentee reports may be shared in member newsletter, on the website, and in other marketing materials.
High resolution (300 dpi or greater) color photograph/headshot in .png, .pdf, .eps, .tiff or .jpg format.
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Stephanie von Csiky-Sessoms, MD
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.
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Kavya Desai, MD, MPH
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.
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Jonathan Kentley, MBBS, MSc
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.
Additional Information
Please contact us with any questions or concerns.