ASC Z136 Update

Welcome Accredited Standards Committee (ASC) Z136 new members! A membership ballot was conducted this summer and the following applicants were overwhelmingly approved for membership:

 Dr. Brian Biesman – the Director of the Nashville Center for Laser and Facial Surgery, Nashville, Tenn., Dr. Biesman will be replacing Dr. Jerome Garden as the alternate representative for the American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery (ASLMS).

 Dr. Hong Chen – Assistant Researcher at the Institute of Laser Engineering, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing, Dr. Chen is responsible for the education of laser safety for graduate students. Her application to the committee was fully supported by the University. Dr. Chen is also involved in the work of the National Technical Committee 284 on Optical Radiation Safety and Laser Equipment of Standardization Administration of China.

 Mr. Mark Festenstein, CLSO – currently with BE Meyers Company, Bellevue, Wash., Mark has worked with lasers/electro-optics for over 13 years and as an LSO since 2005. He is responsible for training all employees on laser safety and clean room protocol. Mark earned his CLSO in March, 2009.

 Ms. Patti Owens, RN, MHA, CMLSO – Patti is the manager of the laser/aesthetic program at Olympic Dermatology and Laser Clinic, Olympia, Wash., as well as owner/consultant of Northwest Laser Aesthetics LLC. She has been a member of SSC-3 for the last 11 years, board member of ASLMS for the last 4 years, a member on the initial BLS committee for CMLSO development and a CMLSO for the last 8 years, and recently approved to IEC TC76 WG4.

 Additionally, the committee approved the appointment of Dr. James Sheehy as SSC-7 chair. SSC-7, the standards subcommittee responsible for the development and maintenance of the Z136.7 American National Standard for Testing and Labeling of Laser Protective Equipment is being re-established to initiate the revision of this document.

 If you are interested in participating on ASC Z136 or any of its subcommittees, please contact Barbara Sams at 407.380.1553 or email bsams@lia.org. To view committee activities or apply online, go to www.z136.org.