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Spring 2001 Edition: Volume 2, Issue 1
- Editor: Vasant Oswal

Newsletter distribution: courtesy of
Springer, publishers of Lasers in Medical Science

Inside this issue

Thank you Frank and welcome Sean...
New Editor of Lasers in Medical Science...Sean Lanigan
BMLA Core of Knowledge Video
Meetings
Societies and Associations

New Editor for Lasers in Medical science -
Thank you Frank and welcome Sean…

It is sometimes hard to separate people from an institution, as they are the institution: Frank Cross and the Journal have been synonymous. It will be hard to accept that Frank will not be editing the journal any longer. Editing the journal is hard work. There are deadlines to meet, articles to invite, ensure the quality of publication, constantly look at the ways to increase the impact factor, a tall order indeed for anyone, even for a year or two. But Frank undertook this challenge for very many years and made such a success of it, with increase in circulation and impact factor. Now he wishes to give up the editorship of the Journal, and pass on this task to someone else - Sean Lanigan has kindly accepted to fill the vacancy. We say thank you to Frank, wish him all the best for the future, and welcome Sean Lanigan as the new Editor of the journal. We invite Sean to say a few words about his new role in this issue…

Vasant Oswal

Have you got news? Write to the editor at
'Far Shirby, Upleatham, Redcar, Cleveland TS11 8AG

The new editor of
Lasers in Medical Science...Sean Lanigan

Sean Lanigan

Sean Lanigan

I was both pleased and a little nervous when Frank Cross invited me to take over as editor of Lasers in Medical Science. Even down the phone line I could hear Frank's barely suppressed glee and relief when I accepted. This is the first time I have been involved in editing a journal and I am now greatly looking forward to the task. Because of the wide range of papers submitted to the journal I know I will be relying heavily on the Editorial Board and reviewers for assistance. Frank Cross leaves the journal in very good shape with an increase in circulation, impact factor and meeting its publication deadlines. My aim will be to continue this good work to maintain and enhance the standing of the journal and I would encourage all readers to submit research papers and invited reviews for peer review.

I have been a subscriber to Lasers in Medical Science since its launch in 1986 and a member of the BMLA for 14 years. I am a Consultant Dermatologist in Bridgend, South Wales with a particular interest in clinical research involving laser treatment. I first became interested in lasers working with Steve Bown at University College Hospital and then moved to Leeds as Senior Registrar with John Cotterill. The Dermatology Department at Leeds was undoubtedly the leading UK department for the laser treatment of skin disease and I learned a great deal under John's tutoring.

I moved to Bridgend in 1989 and established a large dermatological laser service there. Doreen and Peter Trust at the Disfigurement Guidance Centre kindly donated my first laser in Wales and this provided the foundation to develop a facility of which I am justifiably proud.

In addition to research, I am particularly interested in trying to address the educational aspects of laser training and qualification and I am a member of the Executive Committees of both the British Medical Laser Association and British Society for Dermatological Surgery which advises the British Association of Dermatologist. I am also part of the Steering Committee at Loughborough College responsible for the highly successful BTEC award in Skin Laser Technology, Application and Treatment. I am also currently chairman of the British Skin Laser Research Group. All of these organisations are striving to improve communications and training in cutaneous laser therapy and I would be happy to discuss these activities with interested readers.

Dr S W Lanigan MD FRCP DCH
Consultant Dermatologist
Princess of Wales Hospital
Coity Road
Bridgend
CF31 1 RQ
E.mail: sean.lanigan@bromor-tr.wales.nhs.uk

BMLA Core of Knowledge Video

The education video is now ready. Please send your order to - BMLA Video, The Photobiology Unit, University of Dundee, Ninewells Hospital & Medical School, Dundee, DD1 9SY, along with a cheque for £75/- made payable to University of Dundee. Please print your name and delivery address clearly on your order.

Find out more by clicking here: BMLA Video page

Meetings

Want yours published? Write to the editor (address above)

BMLA Annual Scientific Meeting - May 2001
Laser 2001 - Annual Scientific Meeting of the BMLA will be held at Goole from 9 -11th May 2001. BMLA will award educational grants for winners of free paper section. Further particulars of the meeting and BMLA awards from:

Kate Dixon
Yorkshire Laser Centre
Goole & District Hospital
Goole, DN14 6RX

Update on Joint meeting - 2002:
Between the BMLA, the Europeal Laser Association and the American Society of Laser Medicine and Surgery.

Discussions are under way to study the feasibility to hold a joint meeting as above. Edinburgh as a possible venue for the meeting during third or the last weekend in September 2002 is being considered.

Societies and Associations

In this section we collate information on sister societies and associations for the benefit of our readers.

IMLAS- President: Martin Knight, FRCS
The International Musculoskeletal Laser Society was founded on April 23rd 1993 in Paris as a non-profit association of physicians, engineers and industrial technicians wishing to develop laser, radio frequency, ultrasound, coblation, photo-dynamic therapy and other electromagnetic techniques for the treatment of the musculoskeletal system.

The next IMLAS conference will be held in Cartgena, Columbia, South America, May 23rd - 26th, 2001. Further information from:

Mrs Sheila Bentley,
IMLAS Office,
Arbury Centre,
Manchester Road,
Rochdale,
Lancashire,
England
Tel +44 1706 358229,
Fax +44 1706 353166,
e-mail: imlas@imlas.org
Web page: http://www.imlas.org

IALMS- President: Leonardo Longo, MD
The International Academy for Laser Medicine and Surgery will hold its next conference # LASER FLORENCE - 2001 # will be held in Florence, Italy November 7th - 11th, 2001. For further information:

Organising Secretary, I.L.M.
Phone/Fax +39 055 2260619
E-mail info@laserflorence.org
http://www.laserflorence.org