Medical Laser Safety Officer Excellence

Vangie Dennis is a consultant for Perioperative Consulting, LLC. Professional organizations include the Association of Operating Room Nurses (AORN), American Association for Nursing Leadership (AONL) Laser Institute of America, AORN Specialty Assemblies, and the American Society for Lasers in Medicine and Surgery. She is on the editorial board for the Journal for Clinical Laser Medicine and Surgery, OR Today and Outpatient Surgery. Vangie has been published and cited in publications such as “OR Nurse, American Health, Laparoscopic Update, Surgical Services Management, Infection Control Today, OR Manager, Today’s OR, Outpatient Surgery, and Same Day Surgery. She is also the author for the “Medcom Module: Laparoscopic Approach for Treatment of Urinary Stress Incontinence”, referenced in “The Joint Commission’s National Patient Safety Goals”, co-published the nursing Chapter 9, “The Team-Nursing’s Perspective” in the book Principles of Laparoscopic Surgery, Chapter 20 Laser Risks and Perioperative Safety: Donna Watson’s Perioperative Safety, expert reviewer of the 2011 & 2018 AORN Recommended Practices for Lasers, author for the AORN Laser Study Guide, Module, and video. Published Chapter 14 Lasers in Radiology Nursing: Advanced Practice and Leadership in Radiology Nursing and Chapter 14, Understanding Laser Safety in Dentistry. Ms. Dennis is an independent consultant, and lectures on lasers and nursing practice. Vangie has lectured nationally and internationally for AORN, AORN Chapters, Advanced Technology Specialty Assembly, American Society for Lasers in Medicine and Surgery, The International Laser Safety Conference, Canadian Nurses Association, American Trial Lawyers Association, American Association Gynecological Laparoscopists, MedSun CODA Conference, and Medical Societies and facilities.

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Patti Owens, with her extensive experience in the field of medical safety programs and laser safety, provides valuable consultation services. She has held significant roles, such as the Nursing/Allied Health Chairperson of ASLMS, and has been recognized for her excellence with the Nurse Excellence Award in 1999 and 2014. Patti has also served as the board’s ASLMS Nursing-Allied Health Representative and the Laser Safety Officer. Currently, she is serving as a co-chairman to establish Safety Practice Standards for ASLMS. Patti’s expertise is sought after by various laser companies and professional organizations, including her appointment as the principal medical and aesthetic instructor for Rockwell Laser Industries. She has recently been appointed to the BLS Board of Commissioners – 2025 – 2027 and received the R. James Rockwell Jr. Education Achievement award. She is an active member of the ANSI Z136.3 committee, where she has served for 11 years as the acting secretary. Patti is also a member on the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) TC 76 WG4 and WG12. Patti Owens has been an active member of AORN for 30 years, demonstrating her commitment to the field. Currently, she is serving as Board Member of the eChapter for the 2025 – 2026 term, a testament to her leadership skills. Patti also represents AORN on the ANSI SSC-3 “Safe Use of Lasers in Health Care” and was selected as a Subject Matter Expert for the 2021 AORN “Guideline for Laser Safety.” Her contributions have been recognized with the 2020 AORN Outstanding Achievement in Perioperative Clinical Nursing Practice award. Patti Owens is presently working with a Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon and has acted as a perioperative nurse, aesthetic practitioner, Compliance Officer, Manager and now Administrative Consultant in Rancho Mirage, CA. Patti’s previous employer for 11 years was with a Dermatologist in Olympia, WA, as the Laser Aesthetic Manager, Medical Laser Safety Officer (MLSO) and aesthetic practitioner. Patti’s past employment also includes 15 years as the Laser Manager at Providence St. Peter Hospital in Olympia, WA. Her responsibilities included program development and supervision of 13 laser systems, implementation of the laser perioperative role, development of an aesthetic laser in-house and mobile program, and enforcement of safety policies as the facility’s acting MLSO.

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