Chair President Dana York

  • 25-27 October 2024, Asia Pacific Lasers in Medicine and Surgery, Taiwan
  • 27-28 March 2025, New York PBM course
  • European Medical Laser Association

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    Prof. Dana York DDS, MS, PhD, European Medical Laser Association, President of the New York Agape Foundation Lions Club visit Agape Frontier School in Tanzania

    1. Abstract:European Medical Laser Association - 769d5c91 d10e 44b9 a4f5 f6d70b7a2979 2024
    We went to a school – orphanage (in Tanzania, Cibo Village, Shinyanga ). The rescue children are put in danger of being victims of rape or forced marriage. The target is to make sure they are healthy, assist them, put them through school, and reintegrate them into society.
    Some spend years here in the orphanage until something else happens.
    However, this is not a gift, and life is terribly hard here. Sometimes they have no food. The water pump broke, and the school was interrupted by a lack of funds to pay the teachers. The need for scholarships, the need of love, healing, and just simple survival.
    Keywords: GBV, child rape, PTSD, Violence, scholarship, child safety, education, happiness, survivors, healing.

    2. Introduction:
    By pure coincidence, we found this institution in Africa next to Shinyanga in Cibo Village (north of Tanzania). The police bring the children here after they have been saved from rape, forced marriage, clitoris mutilation. Some of the girls they come already pregnant from rape. In the school, we find boys as well for example 5 years 5-year-old saved from being put in danger by his grandmother for pedophilia prostitution together with his handicapped 6-year-old sister.

    3. Method and Materials:
    European Medical Laser Association - f4348612 b3be 4707 8473 9338adb80386 2024What those children have in common is that they have been victims of Gender Based Violence- that means rape, forced marriage, or physical mutilation. Orphanages have 74 beds but now there are 38 children in now of which 3 are under 1 year old born from rape. Most children are 10 – 12, a few 14, a few 16, the youngest is 4 years old. 3 girls give birth in the orphanage from rape. Of those children, 60% were saved from rape, and 10 % were relatives of the victim also in danger, put in the school ( younger sister usually).
    The little children did not harm anybody and they have been abused each one with its own story, some of them are open to talk, and some are not.
    Need of didactic materials, computers, wall info, books, internet, structure for education curriculum. Simple basic education.
    Anecdote: A grown-up adult may defend themselves. A 6-year-old child, put in pedophilia prostitution by a grandmother, how can they defend themselves?
    The most recent girl arrived in the orphanage pregnant by her brother that raped her for years. Her parents tried to kill her by starvation and poisoning.

    If the youngest victim in the place, 4 years old, forgot all that happened to her and enjoys life, the 13-year-old is closed in her mind and blocked. She does not open to the girls.

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    She is pregnant. A few months later she gave birth to a baby girl and everybody helped her. By the emotion of birth and being busy she is better now. All the children indifferent of age stay together in the same large room with 74 beds. The beds are in stock of 3. By the window is a bucket with water, a cup and soap, and one towel, that is where they wash.
    Getting out and walking about 40 feet we arrive at the bathroom with no running water or shower, … this construction is new
    On the 7 miles of land, they are cultivating vegetables. They made a kitchen that was destroyed using inappropriate construction materials.
    The children wanted “Fanta”. They did not have Fanta ever in the last 3 months ago … I told them that for the teeth this is a good thing. but still, they wanted, it to cost 12 $ at the hotel for 27 bottles of Fanta.

    European Medical Laser Association - IMG 7634 2024The children did not have mosquito nets. and the beds had no bedding.
    The beds had only sponge mattresses. Antimalaria measures are not existent. We put in mosquito nets, bedding, and pillows. All the children were present, and teachers helped with the installation
    The food for August is there but after … never know.
    The TV was taken out completely because the girls would not do the chores.
    There is a foundation for another bedroom, much needed.
    The water pipe stops in a tab next to the building of the bathrooms without having any equipment but a bucket and soap.
    Now that the Cuso took away the teachers because they finished funding, the children joined the local village school. The director does not often, and there is no more stuff, most of the time the children are alone now. The Akos Foundation owner, Rick, also a volunteer with Cuso, comes in on the weekends and helps. Without him, they would have all been dead by starvation. He made a dedication to the children by remaining in Tanzania to help.

    4. Results:

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    They all have in common as being victims of GBV. They were surprised that that exists outside of Africa. GBV is present in all populations
    70 % of the children were heavily affected by the trauma. 50 % of them were in shock and did not talk, and 95 % said they were visibly healthy. 5 % pregnant by rape. 2 % boys. The older children had signs of Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome. One classroom for all the children from 1 to 18. None of the children is mutilated. Neither of the children have AIDS. Out of 176 children saved, 19 already went to the University. 25 $ large quantity of vegetables would last the girls for a week. Fruit for 4 days would be about 20 dollars. Tatu and another one, 14 and 15, there are the last girls in, and both are pregnant by rape.
    The paperwork is slow or lost on the way. From local to municipality. Legal help is not there for them. If the water pump broke it took 8 months to fix and the 3000 needed for repair was very difficult to raise. A kitchen is needed.
    5. Conclusion
    The need for a place like this is vivid, unfortunately, violence happens all around the world. Need for people to know about this place that saves children, specifically for GBV. The survivor arrives at the safe house/school/orphanage after they were put in danger most often by a member of their own family by rape, or forced marriage. Society does not include them. The family’s neighbors don’t dream of extending dinner invitations and play parties. Here we are with our hearts for them. The method of treating Post Traumatic Stress Disorder has 5 steps: 1. remove the victim from the place of violence; 2. Secure the victim’s belongings and legal rights; 3. Immediate busts of happiness; 4. Secure a life surrounded by love; 5. Keep busy and forget what happened to you.
    The attention that they have to things shows that they are very smart children. These are good children. Smart. Hardworking and with an impressive attention span.European Medical Laser Association - unnamed16 2024

    Good coordination also.
    For younger children, post-traumatic stress syndrome is less powerful.
    As older the children, the harder the psychological impact on the girls. I think is no worse thing that can happen to a child than to find that people supposed to love them will be there to abuse their trust. Remember again, life is not easy here. Lack of food and comfort is constant. Will repeat the need for scholarships, the need of love, healing, and just simple survival. Even as young adults they might be in danger as well. Adoption programs need to be put in place. Change in legislation on the model of Botswana “ very strict anti-violence rules”.
    In conclusion, we hope that those children … or adults find happiness and forget about what happened to them. We wish them a happy life.
    6. Bibliography
    a. www.emla-medical.com
    b. Akos – Agape Frontier website
    c. Wikipedia
    d. Testimonies locally

    Pictures from the Orphenage Agape for the Victims of Gender-Based Violence in Tanzania.

    1. one ensemble view of the building, the children, and the set-up. European Medical Laser Association - unnamed 8 202474 beds in one room. Nothing on the walls, no school supplies, and very very poor conditions. a bucket for a shower, everybody in one room: youngest Victim is 4 years old, the oldest 17 years old. ay this moment two of the children girls are pregnant by rape. Doto just gave birth at 13. and there are another 2 toddlers born in the orphanage.

    2. Naomi was put in danger by her grandmother and she is 6. European Medical Laser Association - PHOTO 2022 12 19 14 52 28 2024Her brother and herself they came to the orphanage rescued from pedophilia prostitution where they were put in danger by their grandmother.

    3. from the association “The  Voice of Albinos, in Kinshasa a mother, herself a victim of violence because she gave birth to 2 albino children.

    The cause of the albino birth is the lack of Protein P during the pregnancy which leads to a lack of melanin in the child- which leads to skin and eyes problems. The most common cause of death of albinos is skin cancer. Lions Club sent them glasses. We discovered the switest crowd and a need for scholarships.

    European Medical Laser Association - PHOTO 2022 12 19 14 54 10 20244. Dana and the children from the Agape orphanage having a party in the evening in 2022.

    We are glad that the event organized for the Bastille Day at the Copacabana in New York collected 640 USD. Of course much more is needed as the constant need for food, school supply, legal help… and love. 110 – internet and phone voucher, 200 – a trip to the zoo,  10/piece school backpacks, 12/piece school shoes, as long as the money last. There is a donation button on the website. Please use it.

    in August 2024, the water bill puts in danger the building, please donate to be able to save the home of those children.

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    Organizing Committee

    Glen Carlderhard

    Dr R Glen Calderhead MSc PhD DrMedSci FRSM
    Life-Time Honorary President

    Dana York

    Prof Dana York President of EMLA 2024

    Israel, France Romania USA

    Rene Jean Bensadoun

    Prof. Rene-Jean Bensadoun
    Vice President of EMLA 2024

    France

    Stefan Andersson-Engels

    Stefan Andersson-Engels

    Sweden

    Carlo Sweering

    Carlo Sweering
    IT Director

    France

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    Dr Renita Widianto Chairman of the Asian Chapter
    Executive Officer

    Lewis Clayman

    Prof. Lewis Clayman
    President of the EMLA congress 2023

    San Francisco, USA

    EMLA Conference 2024 Laser MeetingEuropean Medical Laser Association - light wave length 300x225 1 2024

    Dearest colleagues and laser family,  What an incredible meeting we had! The tremendous response to the call for papers demonstrates a genuine thirst for communication among scientists and the need to showcase their research. We extended our invitation and congratulated each one of the lecturers who responded.  We would also like to acknowledge the presence of Professor Vasant Oswal, who was honored this year for his lifetime achievement. This meeting was conducted with utmost courtesy and respect.

    A great Thank you to our President of the Congress. Professor Lewis Clayman, celebrating joy, good health, and happiness together. I am confident that the Laser Family will gain even more converted friends after our most significant event ever.

    Sincere gratitude to all the students, doctors, and lecturers who made E.M.L.A. 2023 an absolute success.

    EMLA’s HUMANITARIAN WORK

    1. Fighting against Malaria in schools and institutions in Africa by installation of nets
    2. Creating infrastructure for children to guide them into study and learning for a better future
    3. Creating PBM treatment installation to prevent and cure African Exotic diseases that become resistant to antibiotics
    4. Protect and secure the future of victims of Gender Base Violence by creating a loving setting of development and reintegrating in society with no stigma and no post-traumatic shock.
    1. Building medical “mobile” – Bass hospital structure with volunteer staff for rural African areas to make prophylaxis of disease, contraceptive care, surgical and medical care in mobile build busses hospitals
    2. Scholarships for children’s victims of gender-based violence
    3. Proposal support for African governments to change legislation to prevent crime and violence against children concerning GBV
    4.  Biotechnology development into getting cheaper and better equipment for poor areas of the world where doctors cannot afford expensive equipment

    9. Emergency Immediate relief is necessary in an incredibly poor Africa that has no homes, no showers, no electricity, no running water no school supplies, and reduced or no safety for girls. We advise people to come and see for themselves. Immediate medication needed for public health: anti-tuberculosis, HTA, diabetes, Aids
    10. Conserve respect for the traditions of native beautiful tribes (Himba tribe, for example)
    11. Developing centers of research excellence in advanced medicine in local universities around the world, India, Africa, Asia, USA, and South America to spread the word about Lasers in Medicine and Surgery

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    with the children from Shynianga Agape Foundation, saved from gender-based violence

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    The beds in the orphanage for the Survivor of Gender-Based Violence, Campagne against Paludism with next against Moskidos
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    before and after

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    ART Expo caRitative for paraplegic FRANKY

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    President-Elect 2024

    Professor Doctor Dana York, DDS, MS, PhD

    She received her education at The Academy of Distinguished Educators, affiliated with New York University, where she specialized in clinical teaching. Previously, she was a Clinical Assistant Professor at the University of New York. Her academic journey includes a Ph.D. in Lasers in Periodontology, preceded by a Master of Science degree in Biophysics and Bio-Cellular Technology. In addition to her academic pursuits, Professor York actively contributes to the field of phototherapy as a Board of Editors member for the International Phototherapy Association in Japan. She is also recognized as a Fellow of the Royal Society of Medicine.

    During her tenure as a clinical assistant professor in the Cariology and Comprehensive Care Department at New York University, Professor York fostered an engaging and fruitful teaching environment for students. She maintains a collegial and supportive relationship with her colleagues. Professor York has conducted extensive clinical research trials, successfully translating theoretical speculation into evidence-based photo bio modulation (PBM) treatments. She has disseminated her findings through authoring peer-reviewed journal articles and delivering lectures at conferences worldwide. Her outstanding contributions were acknowledged with the Best Research Paper award at the Laser Florence Conference in 2002 and 2015, hosted by the International Academy of Laser Medicine and Surgery. Furthermore, Professor York’s artistic talents extend beyond academia, as she is an awarded glass painter and pianist.

    Currently, she holds the position of President of the European Medical Laser Association. In addition, she serves as a Professor Honoris Causa at PMS College in Kerala Trivandrum, India. Notably, she has established a Diploma Course in Lasers in Medicine at the institution.

    Professor York’s expertise in Cellular Technology and Gene Therapy has fueled her passion for researching and investigating biotechnology and PBM for the past 32 years.

    Former meetings

    Taiwan, New York, France, Dubai, Indonesia, Tanzania, Uganda, Congo, India, Italy, Bucharest

    EMLA to spread knowledge about Lasers in Medicine, Photobiomodulation, treating mercury toxicity, doing humanitarian work

    European Medical Laser Association - Dr Vasant Oswal 2024Prof. Dr. Oswal Vasant

    This year, we honor Prof. Dr. Oswal Vasant, a Pioneer in Laser surgery

    Vasant Oswal is an Emeritus Consultant Otolaryngologist and Head and Neck surgeon at the James Cook University Hospital, Cleveland, England, and a recognized world authority in Lasers in ENT. Regarded as a pioneer in laser surgery in ENT in the UK, Vasant Oswal has written widely, authored and edited three books on lasers in ENT, and trained hundreds of surgeons in Cleveland International Laser Courses for over 28 years. He was also invited worldwide to over forty ENT centers to run laser courses and chair conferences. He was made an Honorary member of many professional organizations. He has been rightly awarded many prestigious honors throughout his long career. Amongst all, an award of FRCS by the Royal College of Surgeons of England by nomination and election, a rare recognition, stands proud.

    Vasant Oswal was born and bred in Pune, a hundred miles southeast of Mumbai, India, in 1934, before the Second World War when there were no cars or buses on the road, and public transport was by horse-drawn carriages called Tonga.

    In 1960, he qualified in Medicine from BJ Medical College in Pune. His post-graduate medical career started in Bombay (now known as Mumbai), where he passed the DORL in 1961 and MS in ENT in 1963. He moved to England for further training and was awarded the DLO (RCS) in England in 1964. An FRCS Edinburgh followed in 1967.
    After he was appointed Consultant in ENT in 1969 to the North Riding Infirmary, Middlesbrough, he initially specialized in otology. He undertook temporal bone dissections exhibited in the Welcome Museum at the RCS and later photographed and published in the Colour Atlas of Anatomy, produced by Prof McMinn and Hutchings. In 1974, he received international acclaim in Toronto, Canada, for his method of managing laryngeal cancer involving a team. He was awarded a scroll: “Team concept in the management of laryngeal cancer,” now routinely practiced by a multi-disciplinary team (MDT) group. He was always interested in innovation. He foresaw the benefits of laser surgery in the larynx in the late 70s and raised funds to buy a CO2 laser for his department in Cleveland in 1982. He developed bespoke instruments for laser surgery in the larynx, including a flexible metal anesthetic tube, marketed as Oswal Hunton flexo-metallic fireproof anesthetic tube. He established the Cleveland International Laser course for 28 years, teaching laser techniques to numerous UK and international surgeons. He also traveled widely at the invitations of ENT centers worldwide and received many honors for his dedication. In 1992, he became Editor in Chief of a bi-monthly publication, ‘ENT News’ and developed it. It is the most-read bimonthly ENT magazine with 18000 copies distributed in 50 countries. Following his formal retirement in 1995, he was appointed as an Honorary Consultant surgeon and continued practice until 2008, when he received an appointment as an Emeritus Consultant surgeon. In his honor, the James Cook University Hospital named a consulting room ‘Oswal Rhinology Lab.’ He continued writing, teaching, and editing three major books regarded as reference books.

    Jean François de Hauteville

    Monsieur Jean François de Hauteville

    Monsieur Jean François de Hauteville

    représentera EMLA à la Comission Européenne.