Laser Safety Facts and Staff Listing:

The Laser Safety program actively supports all staff, faculty, and residents with the use of lasers across campus.  This includes UT Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, Aston Clinics, Children’s Medical Center, Parkland Memorial Hospital, St. Paul University Hospital, Veteran’s Affairs Medical Center, and Zale-Lipshy University Hospital, as well as all of the outpatient clinics.  The Laser Safety staff evaluates recommendations for the purchase, maintenance, repair, documentation, registration, utilization, disposal, and administration of all medical lasers.  Laser safety is responsible for monitoring operations of all lasers to ensure compliance with national, state, and institutional regulations and policies. 

-In 2004, over 14,000 light-based surgical and therapeutic procedures were performed. 

-There are 164 lasers in labs, clinics, and surgical rooms at UT Southwestern and affiliated hospitals. 

The laser safety team also organizes and supports the Campus Laser Safety committee meetings and plays a significant role in ensuring that national and state regulatory issues are addressed.  UT Southwestern’s Laser Safety Officer (LSO) holds a board position on the American National Standards (ANSI) Z136 committee and a Vice-Chairman appointment to the ANSI Z136.3 “SafeUse of Lasers in Healthcare Facilities,” the national guiding force in patient safety and control.  The laser safety team also plays a significant role in the training and education of the staff, faculty, and residents on the basic physics of lasers and light-tissue interactions.  Being a part of the largest medical laser program in the nation means that the laser safety program is responsible for researching and at times, developing breakthrough new procedures. 

-Laser safety develops 4-6 new procedures every year. 

-The total number of procedures has increased an average of 15% a year over the past 10 years. 

With their academic and developmental involvement in medical laser procedures, the staff has a unique ability to gauge and review most of the new and emerging light and noninvasive technologies being brought to bear in today’s changing surgical and clinical world.  In the past few years, the staff has had the honor and pleasure to be involved with revolutionary new laser and light applications that significantly affected both the quality and duration of patient’s lives.  In constant demand by the medical industry, the Laser Safety staff has a unique ability to bring clear and understandable terms to the most complicated of light procedures and methods in support of UT Southwestern’s faculty and staff. 

STAFF

John Hoopman
Assistant Director, Laser Safety Officer
John.Hoopman@UTSouthwestern.edu
(214) 648-2416
(214) 648-3997 fax

Burt Wenger
Laser Safety Specialist III
Burt.Wenger@UTSouthwestern.edu
(214) 648-2480
(214) 648-3997 fax

Jason Holecek
Laser Safety Specialist I
Jason.Holecek@UTSouthwestern.edu
(214) 648-2480
(214) 648-3997 fax