We are committed to bring the best available instructors to you in our training program. In the advanced courses for therapists, the theory lectures are given by lymphologists and physicians who are experts in the field. Our academic faculty changes from course to course, depending on availability and location. Please contact us if you wish to know which instructor will be attending a particular course.
Professor Neil Piller.
Neil is Professor in Lymphology and is the Director of the Lymphoedema Assessment Clinic, in the Department of Surgery, at the Flinders University Medical Centre in Adelaide, South Australia. He is a senior member of a team of clinical and experimental research investigators in the Microcirculation and Microcirculatory Laboratories. Neil is a course coordinator of the Graduate Entry Medical Program in the School of Medicine at Flinders University. He has presented and published over 300 works and is an internationally-renowned lymphologist. Neil is the president of the 22nd International Congress of lymphology to be held in Sydney in 2009, an Executive member of the International Society for Lymphology, a Board Member of the Union Internationale Phlebologie and a member of the consensus committee on lymphoedema and lymphatic malformations and a member of the International Advisory Board Lymphoedema Framework He is Australasian Editor of the Lymphatic Research and Biology (USA), and a member of the editorial boards of The Journal of Lymphoedema (UK), Lymphology (USA) and US-China Journal of Lymphology and Oncology. His commitment to empowering students with a sound understanding of the anatomy, physiology and pathophysiology of lymphatic system and disorders and his energetic and lively classes have inspired many Dr. Vodder therapists. He and his team's widely published clinical trial studies of lymphoedema treatments and literature reviews brings a very wide perspective to the area of lymphoedema.
Dr. Anna Towers.
Anna Towers is a family physician by background who in 1993 re-oriented her career to palliative care. She served for 10 years as Academic Director of the Division of Palliative Care and is Associate Professor in the Department of Oncology, McGill University. Dr. Towers trained in lymphedema management in Australia under Drs. John and Judith Casley-Smith and since 1995 has run a lymphedema clinic at the MUHC. She is Co-Chair of the Canadian Lymphedema Framework, an organization that is working to improve the standards of care for lymphedema patients in Canada. She has been associated with the Lymphedema Association of Quebec (LAQ) since its inception in 1999. In collaboration with the LAQ she is involved in the development and evaluation of a model multidisciplinary program at the MUHC. She continues to provide support in dealings with the Ministry of Health, to try to have lymphedema treatments covered by Medicare (as they presently are not).
Dr. Towers is coordinator of the McGill Lymphedema Research Program. Current research studies are investigating the incidence, risk factors and psychosocial effects of complications of cancer therapies. She is an international presenter and the author of several book chapters and a number of articles on lymphedema management.
Prof. Dr. Horst Weissleder.
A distinguished professor of radiology and physician from Freiburg University, Germany, Professor Weissleder is also a world-renowned lymphologist. He has published and presented more than 350 articles and papers worldwide and is the co-author of the text, Lymphedema Diagnosis and Therapy as well as contributor to many other texts. Professor Weissleder is the past editor of the journal, Lymphologie in Praxis und Forschung (Lymphology in Practice and Research). He has served on the executive of organisations such as the International Society of Lymphology (general secretary) and German Society of Lymphology (president). His calm and patient teaching style, along with a good sense of humor have encouraged many Dr. Vodder therapists to gain an expert understanding of lymphatic anatomy, physiology, pathophysiology and pathology.
Dr. Sara Nelson.
Sara Nelson is a doctor of physical therapy and owner of Therapy Solutions in Richland, Washington. The multi-disciplinary clinic is a culmination of a vision to provide wholistic care to people with physical limitations in her community. Sara has over 15 years of experience applying MLD and CDT to orthopedic, pelvic and pain conditions as well as lymphedema and oncology. She holds a Transitional Doctorate Degree in Physical Therapy from Pacific University in Forest Grove, Oregon, a Masters in Orthopedic Manual Therapy from the Grimsby Institute, in San Diego, California and a Bachelor of Science in Physical Therapy from the University of Utah. She is currently board certified in Women's Health through the American Physical Therapy Association and in lymphedema management through the Lymphology Association of North America and the Dr. Vodder School-International. She has extensive clinical experience from working in the field of Physical Therapy for over 20 years and has advanced training in several fascial release techniques. She has developed classes in advanced clinical decision making and behavioral management for the lymphedema patient, and understanding the universal principles of fascial release for pain management. She has taught these original courses nationally and in Canada.
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