History

The Wellman Laboratories of Photomedicine were established in 1974 as a division within the Department of Dermatology at Massachusetts General Hospital, the oldest and largest teaching hospital of Harvard Medical School. The Laboratories grew out of research by Dr. John A. Parrish that led to the development of a treatment for psoriasis using a photoactive drug and ultraviolet light. With the support of a grateful patient, for whom the Laboratories were named, Dr. Parrish established the first academic research center devoted to photomedicine.

Wellman's research program took a major leap forward in the mid-80's when it received a 5-year, $19 million contract from the Department of Defense to develop Medical Applications of Free Electron Laser Technology (MFEL). This funding enabled a rapid expansion of the number of personnel and a significant broadening of the Lab's research expertise. The MFEL research program has continued virtually uninterrupted at Wellman for twenty years, and still remains an important, though no longer principal, source of research support.

During the ensuing twenty years, Wellman has recruited a multi-disciplinary faculty of biological scientists, physical scientists and clinicians who have contributed to extending its original focus on photobiology to encompass programs in optical diagnostics, microscopy, laser surgery, and photodynamic therapy.

In 2003, Wellman underwent a significant transition. It was designated as one of five new Thematic Centers at MGH. The thematic centers are the core of a initiative at MGH to create cross-departmental, interdisciplinary research entities to address the complex biomedical challenges of the 21st century. Each center is charged with assembling multi-disciplinary teams of researchers, developing creative approaches to biomedical problems in their thematic area, and accelerating the transition of their research to clinical applications.

Upon Wellman's thematic center designation, Dr. Parrish stepped down as Director of the Center and Dr. R. Rox Anderson assumed this position. Dr. Parrish remains a valued advisor to the Wellman Center.