Organising committee members
Tonny Karlsmark
Tonny Karlsmark, MD, Assoc. Professor
Tonny Karlsmark is consultant and associated professor in Dermato-venereology working at Bispebjerg Hospital, University of Copenhagen. As former head of the department for 15 years, he has experience as well as a diploma in National Health Service Management. He has held Honorary positions such as chairman of the Danish Dermatological Society 2003-2005 and chairman of the Danish Lymphoedema Framework (DLF) from 2010.
His main research areas include wound healing and treatment of chronic oedema. In 1990 he defended
his thesis about “Electrically induced dermal changes” – a morphologic study of porcine skin after transfer of low-moderate amount of electrically energy.
He has published more than 115 articles in international journals and acts as advisor for more than 10 Ph.D. degrees and made opposition (acting as critic) for 1 doctoral thesis and 9 Ph.D. degrees.
Tonny joined the ILF Board in June 2018.
Anna Kennedy
Anna Kennedy
Anna spent 30 years in corporate senior management, working in the areas of training and communications for international companies like Thomas Cook and American Express. Her last business role was Vice-President with Indigo-Chapters, Canada’s largest retail book store, before she transitioned to the charitable sector in 2006.
Anna is now well entrenched within the lymphedema community on multiple levels. She is a Founding Director of the Canadian Lymphedema Framework and provides leadership in her role as both the CLF’s Executive Director and Editor of Pathways – Canada`s lymphedema magazine. She was appointed in 2012 to the Board of the International Lymphoedema Framework and since 2015 has been serving in her role on the ILF Executive Committee as Executive Secretary. Her contributions to the ILF include communications and conference organization. She was responsible for organizing the first International Lymphoedema Framework conference outside of England – (2011 Canada) and has been on the organizing committees of all the ILF subsequent conferences.
In 2012, Anna was awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal in recognition of her leadership and contribution to the lives of Canadians. As a cancer survivor, living with lymphedema, Anna advocates healthy living and a positive attitude to help manage her life-long condition. She has presented on patient advocacy initiatives at numerous national and international conferences.
Bonnie Lasinski
Bonnie Lasinski, MA, PT, CI-CS, CLT-LANA, is Clinical Director of the Boris/Lasinski School, teaching the Casley-Smith Method of CLT, and former Clinical Director of Lymphedema Therapy in Woodbury, Long Island, NY (retired 2016). She graduated from the SUNY Downstate Medical Center Physical Therapy program (1976) and Columbia University's program in Motor Learning (1981). Ms. Lasinski studied Lymphology and lymphedema treatment with the Casley-Smiths (1992) and was certified as a Casley-Smith instructor (1995). She has presented 135-hour courses in Lymphedema Management (University of Vermont); Sacred Heart University (Connecticut); and in collaboration with the Lymphoedema Association of Quebec and McGill University (Montreal, Canada). She has extensively presented about managing lymphatic system disorders. She has co-authored three clinical studies on lymphedema treatment published in Oncology and Lymphology; contributed case studies to Modern Treatment for Lymphoedema (Casley-Smith, 1997); and authored the Lymphatic System chapter in "Pathology: Implications for the Physical Therapist" (Saunders. 2002, 2009, 2015). Ms. Lasinski is an active member of the International Society of Lymphology; Lymphology Association of North America; Casley-Smith International; International Lymphoedema Framework; and American Lymphedema Framework Project.
Julia Rodrick
Julia Rodrick, OTR/L; CLT-LANA; WCC, is a Registered Occupational Therapist recognized as an international mentor and lecturer in the treatment of Lymphedema. She specializes in areas of oncology rehabilitation, orthopedics and wound care. As owner and director of Essential Therapy Education, LLC Julia strives to advocate for lymphedema awareness and clinical education, committing her skills to the development of effective lymphedema treatment through her practice in central Illinois. She received advanced training of Manual Lymph Drainage and Complete Decongestive Therapies (MLD/CDT) through the Foeldi Clinic and The National Alliance of Wound Care and has taught the principles of MLD/CDT as an instructor with The Norton School of Lymphatic Studies (2016-present) and through Klose Training and Consulting, LCC. (2006-2014). Julia has served on the Lymphology Assoc. of North America, Board of Directors from 2004-2011 and as a long-standing patient educator for the National Lymphedema Network. Currently, she serves on the steering committee for the American Lymphedema Framework Project, contributing to the adaptation of the International Best Practice Document, (2006 and 2013) in association with the ILS. Over the years, she has collaborated with fellow colleagues on several published works intended to promote the provision of quality care to those who struggle with the condition of lymphedema.
Kathryn Thrift
KATHRYN McKILLIP THRIFT
Kathryn was certified as a therapist in the Dr. Vodder Method of Manual Lymph Drainage/Combined Decongestive Therapy in 1987. She received her certification as a Dr. Vodder Basic Instructor in 1992 and was certified as a Therapy I Instructor in 1997. She has received additional training in lymphedema management in Australia with the Casley-Smiths (1994) and in Germany at the Földi School (1998).
From 1997 until 1999, she served on the Board of Directors of the National Lymphedema Network (NLN). From 1998 until 2017, she served on the Medical Advisory Committee of the NLN. She is an original and current member of the Board of Directors of the Lymphology Association of North America (LANA), which has instituted a national certification for lymphedema therapists.
She joined the American Lymphedema Framework Project Steering Committee in 2009. In 2012, she was appointed a Courtesy Adjunct Faculty, Sinclair School of Nursing, University of Missouri-Columbia.
Kathryn has a B.S. degree from Central Missouri State University. She currently lives in Dallas TX with her husband, Clem.
Joan White
Biography
Joan P. White
Joan White is the founder and director of the Lighthouse Lymphedema Network of Greater Atlanta, Georgia. She has been a lymphedema patient since 1988. The LLN began around a kitchen table 25 years ago and has grown to be recognized as one of the elite organizations for education and awareness for lymphatic disease in the USA. The LLN sponsors an annual all-day medical conference bringing some of the top experts in lymphology to the Atlanta area. In addition to educating patients, caregivers and the medical professionals at the annual conference, the LLN has sponsored nurse’s intensive conferences and conferences specific for physicians.
Over the years, Joan has been recognized for her service in educating, advocating, and creating awareness for lymphatic disease. Joan is a member of the Lymph Science Advocacy Program (LSAP) through the National Lymphedema Network. In 2008, she was selected as an 11 Alive Community Service Award Honoree.
