Introduction to NAALT

Officers:

President: Dr. Brian R. Bennett

M.B., D.C.H., Lic. Ac. (Eng.) Cert. Ac. (Canada)
Certified IMS Therapy (Canada)

Doctor Brian Bennett has been in Family Practice for 40 years. He has had a long term interest in chronic pain. Since 1977 he has used acupuncture in his practice and over the years added trigger point therapy and IMS technique as other methods for treating musculoskeletal disorders. He purchased his first low level laser equipment in 1992 and as this modality continued to evolve used this therapy more and more in his practice. Since 2004 his practice is devoted to the use of phototherapy in the treatment of chronic pain.

Vice President: Dr. Gerry Ross, DDS

Dr. Gerry Ross has been practicing dentistry for over 30 years in Tottenham, Ontario as a general dentist who specializes in TMJ Treatment. He has been using lasers, both low level and surgical, since 1990 and has lectured extensively in Canada, the United States and Internationally. He holds advanced proficiency status from the Academy of Laser Dentistry (ALD) and a fellowship from the American Society of Laser Medicine and Surgery (ASLMS).

In October 2008, Dr. Ross presented a paper and chaired a dental session at the World Association of Laser Therapy (WALT) Meeting held in South Africa. Dr. Ross has written many articles on the use of Low Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) in Dentistry, which have been published in such journals as Ontario Dentist, Oral Health, the Journal of the ALD and, most recently, the Academy of General Dentistry (AGD). Dr. Ross holds memberships in the ALD, ASLMS, Ontario and Canadian Dental Associations, WALT, and has recently become a board member of the North American Association of Laser Therapy (NAALT).

Secretary: Robin Schumacher

Robin Schumacher began her work with 'light' in 2004 with Quantum Devices, Inc (QDI), Barneveld, WI, where is she is the Director of Sales and Marketing for Quantum BioMedical, Inc (sister company to QDI). Robin quickly became the main contact between QDI and NASA, working closely with their COTR (Contracting Officer's Technical Representative) Helen Stinson. Robin is the coordinator between facilities for clinical trial research. QDI recently completed a Phase III contract with NASA on the Amelioration of Oral Mucositis Pain by NASA Near Infra Red Light Emitting Diodes in Bone Marrow Transplant Patients. She is the point of contact for college and/or other research facilities (Medical College of Wisconsin, University of WI - Milwaukee and Madison, University of Indiana, University of Alabama - Birmingham, University of Ulm, Germany, etc). She is a member of NAALT, American Society of Photobiology (ASP), American Society of Laser Medicine and Surgery, and an Associate Member of Wisconsin Chiropractic Association.

Treasurer: Elaine Walsh, M.Ac., Lic.Ac.,

Elaine Walsh, M.Ac. Lic.Ac. has over 25 years experience in healthcare. She worked as chief medical technologist in the coagulation lab at Children’s Hospital, Boston where she participated in published clinical research and taught at national conferences. Elaine currently practices acupuncture in an integrative medical setting at the Pain and Wellness Center of Peabody, MA and at Salem Hospital. She uses laser therapy in her clinical practice and is an instructor of laser acupuncture at the New England School of Acupuncture. Elaine has recently conducted clinical trials using laser therapy for treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome and light therapy for treatment of alopecia areata.

Board Members:

Praveen R Arany BDS, MDS, PhD

Praveen R Arany is trained as a Dentist and an Oral Pathologist. Following two postdoctoral fellowships in basic sciences at the Indian Institute of Sciences, Bangalore and then at the National Cancer Institute, NIH, Bethesda, he has been exploring the role of Transforming Growth Factor-beta in laser wound healing, tissue regeneration and radiation responses that have resulted in many peer reviewed publications. He has been awarded awards for his scientific achievements such as the NCI Director's Young Investigator Award, NIH Merit award, Wound Healing Society's Young Investigator Award, Indian Academy of Oral Pathologist best paper and poster awards. He has also been invited to speak in various national and international forums.

Among his major research interests, Dr. Arany has been exploring the photomolecular mechanisms to direct specific biological processes especially tissue regeneration. His other major area of interest is the fascinating molecular dichotomy of wounds and tumors with emphasis on cell signaling regulatory networks. He is a Harvard Presidential Scholar currently pursuing an inter-disciplinary joint PhD-Residency program across multiple Harvard institutes including the Harvard School of Dental Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Harvard School of Engineering & Applied Sciences and Brigham & Women's Hospital under the auspices of the Harvard Integrated Life Sciences (HILS) program focused on a future career as a clinical-translation researcher. His work is funded by the NIDCR, NIH and HHMI.

Director: Richard "Chip" Godine, DVM

Dr. Richard L. Godine is the owner and hospital director of Ruckersville Animal Hospital and Veterinary Laser Therapy Center, a five doctor practice small animal practice located outside of Charlottesville, Virginia. He has a special interest in laser therapy as it applies to all diseases in veterinary medicine as well as expertise in orthopedic surgery, cardiology, and ultrasonography. Dr. Godine is an adjunct professor of ultrasonography and laser therapy at the Blue Ridge College of Veterinary Technology and a member of the curriculum committee and admissions committee at the Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine. He is a past president of the Virginia Veterinary Medical Association and the current Virginia Delegate to the American Veterinary Medical Association. Dr. Godine is married to fellow veterinarian, Dr. Caroline Godine, and has three sons and one daughter. He enjoys spending time with his family, coaching his sons in lacrosse, playing bluegrass music and getting out on the golf course.

Director: Dr. Jerry True, D.C., FIACN

Chiropractic Neurologist

Dr. Jerry True graduated from Cleveland Chiropractic College in Kansas City, MO with honors. He completed his post-doctorate training in Neurology through New York Chiropractic College and maintained active diplomate status with the American Chiropractic Neurology Board from 1990 to 2006. He has been accepted as a Fellow of the International Academy of Chiropractic Neurology (FIACN), as of 2007. He has written and published on many topics in neurology and musculoskeletal medicine. Dr. True is the co-author of the textbook on neurology titled: Myelopathy, Radiculopathy and Peripheral Entrapment Syndromes published by CRC Press in 2002. He maintains a consulting practice for second opinions and challenging cases. Dr. True's primary practice is located in Stuart, FL.

Alternate Board Members:

Alternate: Larry Miller

Bio to come.

Alternate: Rose M. Ortega Pignataro, PT, DPT, CWS

Rose Pignataro is a Clinical Assistant Professor in the Department of Rehabilitative Sciences, Stony Brook University. Dr. Pignataro has 21 years of clinical experience including specialty certification in wound care through the American Academy of Wound Management and has completed basic and advanced laser therapy training through Meditech, Toronto, Ontario. She completed a doctorate in physical therapy in 2005 and is currently pursuing a PhD in public health through the Department of Community Medicine at West Virginia University.

President Emeritus: Steve Liu

Steve Liu, L.Ac., BSEE, has a BS in Electrical Engineering, San Jose State University, San Jose, CA. He specializes in Laser Acupuncture in Tucson, Arizona and has written articles on Laser Acupuncture, published in the California Journal of Oriental Medicine (CJOM), by the California State Oriental Medical Association (CSOMA), and presented similar topics in the American Association of Oriental Medicine (AAOM) 2006 annual conference. Mr. Liu is also a member of the International Society for Optical Engineering (SPIE). He is President Emeritus of the Arizona Society of Oriental Medicine and Acupuncture (AzSOMA) and the founding member and President of American Society for Laser Acupuncture Therapy (ASLAT).

Conference Coordinator: Jennifer Anderson

Jennifer Anderson is our friendly NAALT representative and normally the first contact you have will be from her.

If you have any concerns about your conference registration, accommodation or general enquires, please contact Jennifer Anderson

Membership Relations Coordinator: Tami Carter

Tami Carter is the contact person for anything pertaining to membership with the NAALT organization. This includes recruiting new members, helping established members renew their memberships, maintaining an up-to-date membership data base, and helping with the distribution of the NAALT newsletter.

Tami joined NAALT part-time in September. She works full-time as an administrator within a large multi-specialty medical group in Brevard County, Florida where she has worked for over 23 years. Tami’s goal is to increase NAALT's membership by getting information about the group out to people in the laser community. She has been married to her husband Bob for 21 years.

For any questions regarding NAALT Membership, please contact Tami Carter