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 Host.

John A. Chuback
MD, FACS, RPVI, RVT, RPhS

Monika Gloviczki
MD, Ph.D.

Emily Iker
Doctor of Medicine

Paul Reeves
Doctorate in Education

Diane Chuback | Maria Hughes
PhD, MBA, Executive Producer, LymphCast | MBA, CCS-P, Communications Executive, LymphCast

Jacqueline Sasek
B.S., RVT, RPhS
OUR GUESTS
Our LymphCast Guests.

Ingrid Weddig
COTA/L, CLT
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
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

Amy Rivera
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
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
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
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

Alan Hargens
PhD., Emeritus Professor at the University of California, San Diego
Recent awards include the Nello Pace Award for Outstanding Leadership and Contributions to the Field of Gravitational Physiology. a Citation Award from the American College of Sports Medicine, the Distinguished Public Service Metal, NASA’s highest award, the Nicolas Andry Lifetime Achievement Award from the Association of Bone and Joint Surgeons (given for nearly a half-century of research and clinical progress in compartment syndromes and intracompartmental pressure measurement and the American Society for Gravitational and Space Research Founders Award, the highest honor given by the Society (given to a member of the Society for distinguished scientific contributions to and leadership in the field of gravitational research). Honorary Professor and Keynote Speaker at Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.

Frank Aviles Jr
PT, CWS, FACCWS, CLT-LANA, ALM, AWCC, MAPWCA
Recent awards include the Nello Pace Award for Outstanding Leadership and Contributions to the Field of Gravitational Physiology. a Citation Award from the American College of Sports Medicine, the Distinguished Public Service Metal, NASA’s highest award, the Nicolas Andry Lifetime Achievement Award from the Association of Bone and Joint Surgeons (given for nearly a half-century of research and clinical progress in compartment syndromes and intracompartmental pressure measurement and the American Society for Gravitational and Space Research Founders Award, the highest honor given by the Society (given to a member of the Society for distinguished scientific contributions to and leadership in the field of gravitational research). Honorary Professor and Keynote Speaker at Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.

Sunny Narayana
Research Professor

Annika Karineimi
FNP-C

Dr. Desmond Bell
Founder and President of “The Save A Leg, Save A Life” Foundation
He also serves as Chief Medical Officer of Omeza, an evidence based medical technology company and consumer healthcare products company initially focused on healing chronic wounds and preventing their recurrence.
In 2020, he joined MD Coaches as an Executive Physician Coach, serving as a peer to peer mentor.
Dr. Bell was awarded the Frist Humanitarian Award by Specialty Hospital Jacksonville for 2009 and Memorial Hospital Jacksonville in 2018. He is a Board Certified Wound Specialist (CWS) having served on the Board of Directors of the American Board of Wound Management for 6 years and presently serving on the Board of the American Board of Wound Management Foundation.
He has also been elected as a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow and is a member of the CLI Global Society.
Dr. Bell has published numerous articles primarily pertaining to wound management and lower extremity amputation prevention and has served as an Editorial Board Member for the publication “Today’s Wound Clinic” since its inception. He is nationally recognized speaker, with regular faculty roles at AMP, ASCENT and Modern Wound Care Management.
SOMETHING TO SHARE?
Be our next Guest!
Want to share your Story?
Everyone living with a chronic disease has a story to tell. Managing lifestyle, working with doctors and therapists, managing personal relationships, or just finding the best way to stay active and healthy are all topics other listeners might love!
Or – if you are a medical professional or a research scientist and you feel that your story can help educate and inspire – let us hear from you! Our medical community still needs more awareness of proper diagnosis, management, and innovative approaches to Lymphatic disorders.