POWER Lymphatics Speakers

Paula Donahue, PT, DPT, MBA, CLT-LANA is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at Vanderbilt University Medical Center and Physical Therapist Level IV at Vanderbilt Dayani Center for Health and Wellness. She received her training at Duke University (BS), Northwestern University Physical Therapy and Human Movement Sciences (DPT), The Johns Hopkins Carey Business School (MBA), and The Academy of Lymphatic Studies (CLT), and she has obtained Lymphology Association of North America (LANA) certification. She specializes in the treatment of lymphedema, lipedema and oncology rehabilitation and engages in related clinical care and research.

Gabriele Erbacher has been treating cancer patients, including patients with secondary lymphedema, since 1995. In her private practice, opened in 2007, Gabriele practices psychotherapy and supervises therapists from several professions. Since 2013, she has been a psychologist at the Foeldi Clinic – European Center of Lymphology where she specializes in the treatment of patients with lipedema and the psychological assessment and treatment of obese patients within the obesity program.

Gabriele is also passionate about using an integrative and holistic approach during rehabilitation treatment of cancer patients. She first formalized her interest during her last year of studies at the University of Freiburg, when she carried out a study at the Tumor Biology Center Freiburg (Germany) that explored the efficacy of this approach. The results were presented by Senior Psychologist Dr. Joachim Weis at the 3rd World Congress of Psycho-Oncology in New York in 1997.

Gabriele started her career at the Institute for Rehabilitation Research and Quality Management Scheidegg and the Oncology Department at Paracelsus Clinic in Scheidegg (Germany) where she offered psychotherapy to cancer patients and supervised lymph therapists and other physiotherapists. Gabriele then worked in several other oncological clinics, including the Biomed Clinic, Friedenweiler, which uses an integrative approach that combines complementary methods with conservative cancer treatment. While working in a psychosomatic clinic, Gabriele organized a therapy group for patients dealing with chronic pain.

Gabriele has lectured at several German lymphology conferences and organized workshops for patient support groups and for therapists. Gabriele is the co-author of “Lipedema – Myths and Facts,” a series of articles she published together with Dr. Tobias Bertsch of the Foeldi Clinic.

Gabriele’s certifications in psychotherapy include:

• European Certificate of Psychotherapy (EAP)
• Psycho-Oncology (ZIST)
• Systemic Therapy and Family Therapy (IGST and SG)
• Clinical Hypnosis (M.E.G.), International Certificate of Hypnosis (ESH)
• EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) (EMDRIA)
• PEP® (Process- and Embodiment-Focused Psychology) by Dr. M. Bohne
• Supervision (HSI)

Dr. Gordon is an Associate Professor and Consultant Physician in Dermatology & Lymphovascular Medicine. She is Clinical Lead of the Lymphoedema Service at St. George’s Hospital, London where her team cares for thousands of patients with primary and secondary lymphoedema. She is also a certified lymphoedema therapist.

Dr. Gordon has completed a doctorate in the genetics of primary lymphoedema and imaging of the lymphatic system. She continues to pursue her research interests within the rapidly developing field of lymphovascular medicine.

Guenter Klose received his initial Manual Lymph Drainage (MLD) and Complete Decongestive Therapy (CDT) training in 1984 at the Foeldi Clinic in Hinterzarten, Germany. Specializing in the treatment of Lymphedema, he became certified in 1987 as an instructor for MLD/CDT by the German Massage Therapy and Physical Therapy Association and continued working as instructor at the Foeldi Schools in Freiburg and Munich, Germany.

In 1990, Guenter came to the United States to assist Dr. Robert Lerner in establishing the first CDT treatment center for lymphedema patients located in New York City. Guenter’s work was instrumental in establishing the field of lymphedema therapy and training in the U.S. He assisted in opening numerous lymphedema treatment centers on the East Coast.

In 2003, Guenter established his own lymphedema training and consulting company, an organization dedicated to providing the highest quality lymphedema therapy training available. Guenter has facilitated the training of hundreds of lymphedema therapists from across the country and abroad.

Guenter has lectured extensively in the United States, Europe, and South America. His activities include presentations at the National Lymphedema Network Conferences, lecturing at physicians’ meetings in a large number of hospitals, as well as numerous lymphedema support groups across the country. He is the Program Director of the biannual Klose Training & Consulting Lymphedema Conference. Here in the U.S., Guenter actively treats lymphedema patients and teaches classes for MLD/CDT several times a year.

Guenter was a founding member of the Lymphology Association of North America (LANA) and served on the LANA Board of Directors from 1999-2004.

Dr. Marston is a graduate of Harvard University and received his medical degree from the University of Virginia School of Medicine. He completed a general surgical residency and fellowship in vascular surgery at the University of North Carolina Hospitals in Chapel Hill, NC. His research interests include the diagnosis and management of chronic venous insufficiency, the treatment of critical limb ischemia, and advanced therapies for healing chronic wounds. He has been a clinical investigator on more than 50 clinical trials in the areas listed above, both on the local and national level and has experience in the design and conduct of clinical trials at all levels of the approval process. He currently serves on the Editorial Board of the Journal of Vascular Surgery and Wound Repair and Regeneration and on the Executive Council of the American Venous Forum. He is the President-Elect of the Southern Association for Vascular Surgery.

Heidi Miranda-Walsh is a graduate of Towson University in Maryland with more than 20 years of experience as an occupational therapist. She acquired her hand-therapy specialty certification in 1991 and was trained as a lymphedema therapist at the former Lerner Lymphedema Services Academy of Lymphatic Studies in 1997.

Heidi balances her therapy practice between two specialties developing hand therapy and lymphedema therapy programs. She has developed special expertise in treating head and neck oncology patients and has lectured extensively on the subject of Lymphedema of the Head & Neck at conferences for patients, therapists, and doctors across the U.S.

Heidi serves as an instructor with Klose Training & Consulting sharing her special interest, skills, and experience in working with patients with lymphedema of the head and neck.

Dr. Murphy is a medical oncologist who specializes in head and neck cancer as well as in pain and symptom management control. She is the director of the Head and Neck Oncology Program, which has achieved national recognition for its expertise in combined modality therapy. Her clinical interests for head and neck cancer include identifying new and more effective treatments. Dr. Murphy studies patients who have been diagnosed with head and neck cancer that has either spread throughout the body or has returned after initial treatment with surgery or radiation. Although several chemotherapy drugs are effective in the treatment of metastatic or recurrent head and neck cancer, these agents are unable to provide a cure and are associated with side effects.

Dr. Murphy recently developed a new Pain & Symptom Management Program, which is dedicated to providing our patients with a comprehensive and integrative approach to their health care. She serves as the program director and works with a multidisciplinary team of healthcare professionals to address specific problems facing cancer patients and their families and to ensure a coordinated plan of care. The program is committed to improving the quality of life of patients and families by helping to identify and resolve physical, emotional and spiritual issues.