About - LymphCast Network

About Us

Healing the mind, body, and spirit of
lymphatic disease patients through
the power of conversation.

RESOURCE. THINK TANK.

Our Vision.

Living with a chronic disease is a daunting reality endured by millions of people all over the world. Knowing there is no cure can be both discouraging and frustrating. We at LymphCast are working hard to give real hope to those suffering from chronic swelling of all kinds.
LymphCast’s vision is to serve as a resource and think tank for chronic lymphedema sufferers, and the greater healthcare community. Together, we can bring the mystery of lymphatic disease out of the shadows and help patients live a fulfilling life.

EDUCATION. DISCOVERY.

Our Mission.

The LymphCast program is a conversation aimed at education and discovery. Our world-class experts, and their guests, aim to enlighten patients and healthcare professionals in understanding these chronic and challenging diseases.
Our ultimate goal is to help people suffering from lymphatic disorders of all kinds to achieve their personal best quality of life through greater awareness, understanding, and treatment. Take a deep dive with us as we discuss and explore the latest in lymphatic research and management. We provide patients with solutions-based approaches as well as a community and a conversation.

OUR EXPERTS TEAM

Our LymphCast Hosts.

John A. Chuback

MD, FACS, RPVI, RVT, RPhS

Dr. Chuback is a Board Certified Cardiovascular Surgeon and a Diplomate of the American Board of Venous and Lymphatic Medicine. Dr. Chuback has been in private practice in the New York metro area for the past 20 years and his clinical expertise is focused on caring for patients with venous and lymphatic disorders.

Monika Gloviczki

MD, Ph.D.

Dr. Gloviczki’s professional legacy includes extensive clinical research of Micronized Purified Flavonoid Fraction (MPFF) and the development of new drugs for venous and lymphatic disorders. She has also led numerous international studies on venous insufficiency, venous ulcers and lymphedema.

Emily Iker, MD

Doctor of Medicine

Surviving cancer and developing lymphedema in her right leg as a result inspired Dr. Iker to change her medical specialty to physical medicine and rehabilitation. Today, she is the Founder & Director of The Lymphedema Center in Santa Monica where she helps those suffering from lymphatic disorders including lymphedema, Dercum’s disease and lipedema.

Paul Reeves

Doctorate in Education

Dr. Reeves lends LymphCast his technical and professional insight in producing our online radio show and podcast. Paul is the Founder and Owner of Impact Radio USA. He is also the host of Dr. Paul’s Family Talk.

Diane Chuback | Maria Hughes

PhD, MBA, Executive Producer, LymphCast | MBA, CCS-P, Communications Executive, LymphCast

OUR GUESTS

Our LymphCast Guests.

Ingrid Weddig

COTA/L, CLT

About
Ingrid Weddig, COTA/L, CLT, has been working in hand therapy since 2000. In 2010, she started a scar management/breast cancer rehabilitation program. She still enjoys treating multiple hand injuries but her main focus now is with the breast cancer patients and lymphedema. Her program involves assisting breast cancer patients with proper scar management techniques, swelling, range of motion, and eventually strengthening. She is also a certified Lymphedema therapist and can assist measuring patients for proper upper and lower extremity compression garments. Her goal is to assist breast cancer and lymphedema patients in making a full recovery. Ingrid also has extensive knowledge and training in scar tissue. She has treated many difficult scars in multiple locations of the body including knees from total knee surgery, chest wall scars from transition surgery, abdominal scars from hernias, C-sections and ear scars from reconstruction. Ingrid enjoys learning new techniques and reading research articles in her areas of practice, time on her hobby farm, her teen kids, hiking, painting and grilling.

Education
Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Occupational Therapist Assistant, Anoka Hennepin Technical College (2000)
Certified Lymphedema Therapist (CLT) U of Milwaukee (2019)

Professional Affiliations
Minnesota Occupational Therapy Association (MOTA)
National Board of Certification of Occupational Therapy (NBCOT)

Achievements & Awards
Occupational Therapist of the Year (2005)
Paper online submission: Scar Management of the Breast Cancer Patient. The missing Piece of the Puzzle.

Amanda Sobey

Certified Personal Trainer, Certified Nutritionist, and Lymphie Coach

Since 2001, I have been battling an incurable illness known as Lymphedema in my right leg. When I was diagnosed, I was devastated to learn there was nothing I could do, besides wear compression and receive MLD (Manual Lymph Drainage).

Through my own personal trials of health and wellness, I have managed to significantly reduce my edema and improve my mental health through exercise and nutrition. I have made a total mind & body transformation and enjoy competing as an All-Natural Bodybuilder. Professionally, I am a Certified Personal Trainer, Certified Nutritionist, and Lymphie Coach. I specialize in helping others with Lymphedema, Lipoedema, Diabetes, Hypertension, Arthritis, Obesity, and other injuries. I love to help others easily and safely overcome their health struggles as I truly believe we are stronger together.

Cam Ayala

In 2001, Cam was diagnosed with primary lymphedema that has affected his right leg since he was 11-years old. Despite several bouts of infection and over 17 surgical procedures, Cam continues to fight through the daily challenges that this disease presents even with his recent above-knee-amputation. He was put in the public spotlight in 2019 as a contestant on ABC’s The Bachelorette and Bachelor in Paradise. Despite having his lymphedema testimony edited out from every episode, Cam decided to use this public notoriety to bring awareness to lymphedema and other lymphatic disorders. He is now the Director of Development & Marketing for LE&RN (Lymphatic Education & Research Network).

Amy Rivera

“Amy was born with lymphedema. One side of her whole body was swollen, further evolving into lower limb lymphedema. Her mother was told that it was an issue of fetus development in her womb and that nothing can be done. Amy grew up as a beautiful girl, Miss Junior America at age 16, in 1999. It took her 32 years to find that her swollen leg was caused by congenital deficiency of the lymphatic system, genetically defined condition that she shares in the family with her grandmother and her daughter (somehow the disease spared her mother). In the beginning Amy wasn’t bothered that much, lived undiagnosed and untreated, until more striking changes occurred with extreme swelling doubling the volume of the leg and threatening vision of severe disability. She was bullied as a beauty queen ‘elephant girl’. After long-due diagnosis and many struggles she decided to fight the malady and took the helm of her destiny. She accepted compression therapy, started healthy lifestyle with appropriate diet and exercises. Some years and three surgeries later, she is continuously working to improve her condition and to help other patients with lymphedema through non-profit “Ninjas Fighting Lymphedema Foundation””

About her Foundation:
“Ninjas Fighting Lymphedema Foundation2 is a 501 (c) 3 founded by lymphedema patient and spokesperson, Amy Rivera. Amy was born with primary Lymphedema, and was misdiagnosed for over 30 years, leaving her disabled and isolated. Amy thought she was the only one who was suffering in silence. But, after learning the truth about her condition, Amy realized that this community needed a voice. She established the Ninjas Fighting Lymphedema Foundation to ensure that no one suffers alone. Its daily mission is to bring hope and a voice to everyone fighting Lymphedema. The Foundation represents a growing community of survivors and thrivers who refuse to let a lymphedema diagnosis slow them down. Lymphedema is often under-diagnosed and under-treated, even by seasoned medical professionals. The Foundation’s goal is to turn that around by providing much-needed education and support for those with Lymphedema, their families, and their caregivers.”

Just recently Amy wrote an inspirational book on her story:

Last year Amy was competing in a “bikini” competition and won the third place.

Irene Waldridge

Certified massage and manual lymphatic drainage (MLD) therapist

She is also the founder of two medical device companies. First, she founded Tactile System Technology (dba Tactile Medical), a leader in treating lymphedema and venous insufficiency. In the early days at Tactile, she was the CEO, Chairman of the Board, Chief Technology Officer while designing, developing, and engineering the patented Flexitouch® system to follow the principles of manual lymphatic drainage (MLD) therapy. Ms. Waldridge had the pleasure of working with many lymphedema research experts conducting Flexitouch® clinical trials. During this time, she helped market the Flexitouch through physical therapist/MLD therapists across the US. Now, over 100,000 patients use the Flexitouch system.
Ms. Waldridge retired from Tactile in 2010, then 2 years later, she founded Eva Medtec, Inc, located in Bloomington, MN, where she designed, developed, engineered, and is marketing the patented Neuroglide Pain Relief & Recovery System. It’s a unique Back and Neck Pad that you lay on, and it’s also based on the principles of manual lymphatic drainage (MLD) pressure techniques to alleviate acute/chronic back and neck pain, improving sleep recovery and increasing lymphatic circulation.
A small Neuroglide pilot study has shown improved sleep by tracking heart rate variability, resting heart rate, respiratory rate, and deep/REM sleep recovery. And another small pilot study indicated patients experienced relief from chronic back and neck pain, fibromyalgia, myalgia, and tension headaches. The Neuroglide is an FDA-cleared, Class II, over-the-counter medical device for use at-home, hospitals, and clinics.

Eric Ansart

Eric Ansart has served the lymphedema community for nearly fifteen years. He began as a compression therapy consultant for Medical Solutions Supplier, a Delaware Valley medical device company. This is where his passion to help those with lymphatic disorders and raise awareness to these conditions was born. When this chapter of his career started, lymphedema was often misdiagnosed or overlooked. He is extremely gratified to see the tremendous strides made in research along with helping patients effectively manage their condition.
Building effective teams, encouraging individuals to fulfill their potential, and removing obstacles that keep them from accomplishing their goals are trademarks of Eric’s professional career. He holds an MS in Organizational Leadership and enjoys a wide network of contacts based on his varied professional and personal interests. A previous Lymphedema Education and Research Network (LE&RN) Impact Award winner, Eric also serves on the Board of Directors for the National Lymphedema Network (NLN) and Foundation for Venous and Lymphatic Disease (FVLD).
An avid bike enthusiast and recreational diver and surfer, his Northern Florida location is perfect to explore these pursuits. What he would view as most important, however, are his roles as husband and father to two children – his favorite companions for every adventure.

Dr. Cynthia Shortel

Professor of Surgery and Associate Professor of Radiology at Duke University Medical Center

She is Executive Vice Chair of the Department of Surgery, and served as Chief of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery from 2005-2022. Her major areas of interest are open and endovascular management of aortic disease, cerebrovascular disease, vascular malformations, and venous disease. Research interests include diagnosis and management of vascular malformations, cerebrovascular disease, outcomes research, and venous disease. Notably, Dr. Shortell was the first academic surgeon to discover genes responsible for pathogenesis and progression of chronic venous insufficiency by evaluating the entire human genome of patients affected by this highly prevalent and often significantly debilitating vascular disorder.

A member of the International Union of Angiography/International Union of Phlebology consensus, she helped develop the international guidelines for diagnosis and treatment of venous malformations. As a member of the Society for Vascular Surgery (SVS), she served in numerous capacities, including Chairing the Committee on Women’s Issues, the Education Council, and the Fellows’ Council. She is Chair of the Diversity Committee for the Southern Association for Vascular Surgery, and is an Editor for the Journal of Vascular Surgery, as well as special features editor for JVS: Venous and Lymphatic Disorders. She established the Duke Multidisciplinary Vascular Anomalies Team, including a database to track clinical outcomes of vascular malformation patients and coordination of research projects. She also created and directed the Duke symposium “From Foam to Filters: What’s New in Venous Disease.” In 2019, she was the recipient of the Duke Faculty Professionalism Award. She has nearly 140 peer-reviewed publications, is the author of four books, and has spoken extensively at national and international venues.

Peter Gloviczki

MD, FACS

Peter Gloviczki, MD, FACS, is the Roberts Emeritus Professor of Surgery, previous Chair, Division of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, at Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN (2000-2010), recent Editor-in-Chief, Journal of Vascular Surgery (2016-2022). He received his Medical Degree at Semmelweis University with distinction (Sub Auspiciis Rei Publicae Popularis), trained in Budapest, in Paris, and at Mayo Clinic. Joined the staff of Mayo Clinic in 1987. His clinical practice included arterial, venous and lymphatic surgery. He is an expert in aortic, carotid and PAD reconstructions, in venous reconstructions, vascular malformations, lymphatic and chylous disorders. At Mayo Clinic he performed over 10,000 operations. He currently is President of the Frank J. Veith International Society, he is Past President of Society for Vascular Surgery, American Venous Forum, International Union of Angiology, World Federation of Vascular Societies, Society for Clinical Vascular Surgery, among others. He is a member of the American Surgical Association, he is Distinguished Fellow of SVS, AVF, Honorary Member of 19 societies. Has 500 peer-reviewed publications, wrote over 250 book-chapters, edited eight textbooks, four Editions of the Handbook of Venous and Lymphatic Disorders, translated to Chinese and Polish. He was Associate Editor of Rutherford’s Vascular Surgery, 5th,6th,7th and 8th Editions. He has given >700 presentations and has 26,373 citations (h-index: 88, Scopus). The University of Washington, Seattle, established the Peter Gloviczki Professorship in Venous and Lymphatic Disorders. His Alma Mater awarded him the “Doctor Honoris Causa” degree and the “Semmelweis “Budapest” Award. He serves on the Board of Trustees of the Semmelweis University. Dr Gloviczki received the Officer’s Cross of the Order of Merit of the Republic of Hungary. His biography “Magic and Medicine” was recently published by Semmelweis University. Dr Gloviczki lives with his wife, Monika Gloviczki, MD, PhD, in Scottsdale, Arizona.

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