Who We Are

Webb Kempson is the founding member of Southern Medical Lasers.  His story is a classic example of success in American business.  Originally, Webb was an inventory control manager for Southern Anesthesia & Surgical.  However, his passion for  people and his “gift of gab” quickly caught the attention of the senior management:  they had other plans as to how to use Webb’s talents.

One morning in 1996, a large wooden crate was delivered to Webb’s inventory area.  Webb opened the crate and marveled at this strange-looking medical device.  Needless to say, he had no idea what it was.  Minutes later, Webb was informed that he was “going to be renting, specifically to surgeons, a Carbon Dioxide laser!”  “A what?” Webb asked. And that’s how Southern Medical Lasers started.

Webb was one of the first aesthetic laser technicians in the industry, and he received his formal training at Coherent Medical’s headquarters in Palo Alto, California.  Webb gained further training by attending many of the original physician-sponsored preceptorships around the Southeast for aesthetic laser modalities and usage.  With a cargo van, a Yellow Pages directory, and a CO2 laser, Webb single-handedly laid the foundation for what Southern Medical Lasers is today.

John Seal is a West Columbia native who joined our SML team in 1998.  He earned a Bachelor’s degree from Newberry College in 1989.  John was hired as our second technician and has helped expand our business into the North Carolina and Georgia markets.  John also specializes in tattoo removal, reduction of hair-growth, facial rejuvenation, vascular and pigmented lesions/birthmarks, and ablative/non-ablative facial procedures.  In addition, John is our lead trainer for the Sciton Profile and has perfected the art of utilizing the BBL and Profractional applications for severally sun-damaged skin.  John is also our lead trainer and expert for our Lumenis Holmium laser system.

Jonathan Gardner joined Southern Medical Lasers in 1999.  Jonathan is a SC native who graduated from Heathwood Hall Episcopal School in 1994, and he earned a Bachelor’s Degree from Elon University in 1998.  He has decades of clinical experience in the medical laser field.

Jonathan has trained some of the brightest minds in the aesthetic medical community and is highly respected for his laser-based knowledge and clinical experience. He is considered an expert in the removal of professional and home-made tattoos, and he has successfully performed over a thousand laser treatments throughout his career. Jonathan specializes in the following laser treatments: tattoo removal, reduction of hair-growth, facial rejuvenation, vascular and pigmented lesions/birthmarks, and ablative/non-ablative facial procedures.

Corey Porth is a native of Lexington, SC.  He graduated from Lexington High School in 1993 and studied micro electronics at Midlands Technical College.  Corey earned his Electrican’s license in 1995 and worked in the commercial and residential electrical industry until 1997.

Corey began his laser service engineer career with LaserForm & Machine in 1997.  He was responsible for repairing a fleet of industrial-sized carbon dioxide lasers and received some of the most extensive, high tech training from MC Machine in Chicago, IL (Mitsubishi inc).  Corey also trained with Bystronic inc in 2000, and he completed further training with Finn-Power International in 2004.  Corey  joined the team at Southern Medical Lasers in 2005, and he completed extensive training in medical lasers with various manufactures.  When Corey is not repairing lasers, he is spending time in the great outdoors with his wife, Pamela and his two boys Hunter and Tanner.