AVAVA CTO Jay Bhawalker, PhD, ​Announced as 2023 Honorary Award Recipient

Each year at the American Society for Laser Medicine & Surgery (ASLMS) Annual Conference, a number of prestigious awards are presented to individuals whose achievements have made a significant contribution to the field of lasers and energy-based devices for medicine. 
   
AVAVA congratulates our CTO, Jay Bhawalker, PhD as the 2023 winner of the Dr. Horace Furumoto Innovations Professional Development Distinguished Contributor Award.

About the Distinguished Contributor Award
This award was established in 2007 by Candela Corporation, Cynosure, and DEKA to recognize an individual who has played a significant role in industry with multiple accomplishments. It is given in memory of the genius, leadership, and commitment of Dr. Horace Furumoto.

This award may be given to either ASLMS members or non-members, but It is a requirement that nominations be made by ASLMS members only. The award recipient will receive a plaque and $1,000 at the Annual Conference and will be required to present a brief lecture during the Plenary Session at the conference highlighting their accomplishments.

Candidates must meet the following criteria:

1. Demonstrated extensive experience (20+ years) with the innovative application of lasers and/or related technologies in health care
2. Emulate innovation, leadership, and commitment as characterized by Dr. Horace Furumoto
3. Non-clinical professionals, particularly those who work in industry, are especially encouraged to apply and will receive special consideration
4. Good verbal communication skills to allow for an informative appropriate lecture

​About the ​Dr. Horace Furumoto Innovations Professional Development Awards
Horace Furumoto, PhD was born in Hawaii in 1933. Dr. Furumoto began his career in the sixties at AVCO in the laser weapons division, and then moved to NASA. He is credited with developing the worlds first practical dye laser.

In 1971, he founded Candela Laser Corporation and developed the extremely versatile flashlamp – excited dye laser (FEDL).

In 1992 in collaboration with Wellman Laboratories at Massachusetts General Hospital, Dr. Furumoto developed selective photothermolysis. Using this technology, he created devices that were used to treat birthmarks, kidney stones and glaucoma.

In 1991, Dr. Furumoto founded Cynosure, Inc. He introduced what became the Photo-Genica series of lasers, and spearheaded the use of the long pulse alexandrite lasers for hair removal. Dr. Furumoto retired in 2003.

Physics was Dr. Furumoto’s passion. He loved the process of thinking, calculating, designing, drawing, building, and testing ideas. During his career, Dr. Furumoto was awarded twenty-six U.S. patents and twenty-one international patents. He is considered a pioneer in medical laser technology innovation.

In multi million dollar contracts and individual promises, Dr. Furumoto always delivered, contributing to his lasting reputation as a faithful, sincere, and trustworthy colleague, mentor and partner.