MIDWEST LYMPHEDEMA
SYMPOSIUM 2020

Donald Thomas has been a physical therapist for about 9 years, and a Lymphedema therapist for about 8 years. Throughout his professional career, Donald has been able to treat a wide variety of patients during his time of being a physical therapist who specializes in lymphedema. He was certified as a lymphedema therapist through the Norton School of Lymphatics in 2014, and recently received his official wound care certification from the SAWC in 2021. Currently, Donald works as a Lymphedema and Wound Care therapist with Good Shepherd Penn Partners, treating a multitude of simple and complex patients with lymphedema and potential lymphatic deficits. He also co-hosts a virtual Lymphedema support group, which occurs monthly, covering a plethora of topics relating to lymphedema, treatment, and education for patients and caregivers. Donald thoroughly enjoys what he does, and continues to learn more in the realm of lymphedema to be of service to those he is fortunate enough to treat for their lymphatic dysfunction.

Guenter Klose is the Founder of Klose Training & Consulting, LLC, located in Lafayette, Colorado. Guenter 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 an 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 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.

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.

Linda Roherty is a 1989 graduate of Northwestern University’s School of Physical Therapy. Linda took her initial lymphedema therapy training in 1998 and since then, has amassed additional hours of specialty training in lymphatic disorders. Throughout her career, Linda has focused on patient treatment and educating the medical community on lymphatic disorders and patient treatments. In 1998, she worked at Sherman Hospital for 10 years with an emphasis on lymphedema and wound care. In 2008, she joined Presence St. Joseph Hospital to develop the oncology rehabilitation program with special attention on lymphedema. Linda returned to Advocate Sherman Hospital from 2017-2019, where she focused on standards of care for oncology rehabilitation and lymphedema treatment. In 2019 Linda joined HCA StoneCrest Medical Center’s team of lymphedema and oncology rehabilitation therapists to evolve a center of excellence. Linda joined Klose Norton Training & Consulting, LLC in 2000 as an Associate Instructor for Lymphedema Therapy Certification courses and taught for three years. In 2005, she rejoined Klose Training and continues to teach nationally and internationally. Linda earned her CLT-LANA credentials in May 2001. She was elected to the Lymphology Association of North America’s Board of Directors in 2000, acted as Vice President of LANA from 2002–2005, and served as Secretary from 2010-2014. Linda lectures nationally and internationally on lymphedema and oncology rehabilitation. She is an important resource for many therapists who are setting up lymphedema programs or needing assistance with difficult-to-treat patients. Professional Memberships:

• American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) – 1984 to present
• Acute Care & Oncology Section of the APTA
• National Lymphedema Network (NLN)

Margie has over 25 years of experience educating clinicians on compression for the treatment of venous and lymphatic disease. In addition to working with venous and lymphatic patients, Margie has spent a great deal of time in wound care centers and burn units with an in-depth knowledge of wound dressings. She is involved in creating Webinars and online training for clinicians and fitters.  Currently, she is involved in working with key customers, Jobst Medical Advisors, clinical studies, conference coordination, and special projects. Also, working with the Lymphedema Treatment Act and LEARN to increase lymphedema awareness. Certifications in Lymphedema treatment, Fitting orthotics and compression garments.

John Holland is the Head of Sales at Absolute Medical, Inc. This Chicago-based company provides compression garments to those who struggle with the debilitating effects of advancing lymphedema, chronic venous insufficiency, wounds, and other health conditions causing progressive edema and deformity. For the past ten years, Absolute Medical, Inc. have significantly improved patient satisfaction and compliance by working simultaneously with patients and their lymphedema therapist. For John, the best part of his job is finding the perfectly fitted compression garment that will significantly improve the patient’s quality of life. When he is not working, John enjoys spending as much time as possible with his friends and family, especially his two young sons: Carter and Emmett.