The Lympha Press Podcast

November’s Lymphedema Patient Roundtable brought together expert guidance, inspiring patient experiences, and timely reminders about the importance of self-care, especially during the busy holiday season. Moderator Brenda Viola welcomed lymphedema specialists Rachel Alonzo of Mayo Clinic and Karen Ashforth, along with patient advocates Angela Jones and Tora Rocha. In recognition of Veterans Month,...

Could GLP-1 medications such as semaglutide do more than support weight loss? Emerging research suggests they may also have a direct effect on how lymphatic vessels function. Dr. Jorge Castorena, recipient of Tulane University's 2025 Rising Star Award, joined Dr. Karen Herbst to discuss his groundbreaking research, published in Microcirculation , and what it could mean for the future of lymphe...

Halloween Fun, Global Advocacy & Practical Tips for Living with Lipedema The October Lipedema Patient Roundtable combined Halloween costumes, laughter, and meaningful conversation as moderator Brenda Viola welcomed special guest Susan O’Hara, President of the American Lipedema Association. Susan shared highlights from the inaugural Lipedema conferences in Ireland and Canada, where hundreds of...

Breast Cancer Awareness Month: Advances, Advocacy & Hope In recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, moderator Brenda Viola welcomed special guest Rochelle Brannon, MPT, OnCS, CLT-LANA , alongside Karen Ashforth and patient advocate Catherine Rosenberg, for an encouraging conversation about breast cancer-related lymphedema, advances in treatment, and the power of patient advocacy. We'...

Fascia, Self-Advocacy & Finding What Helps Your BodyThe September Lipedema Patient Roundtable went “back to school” with new ideas, practical patient wisdom, and encouragement—including a fascinating discussion about fascia health with special guest Kelly Maynard of Wildheart Wellness. Kelly, who lives with Lipedema and Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS), introduced the panel to Block Therapy, a fas...

Research Roundtable: Lymphatics in Spaceflight Featuring Drs. M. Mark Melin and Caroline Fife, moderated by Lympha Press Chief Medical Officer Dr. Karen Herbst What can spaceflight teach us about the lymphatic system here on Earth? In this fascinating Research Roundtable, Drs. M. Mark Melin and Caroline Fife join Dr. Karen Herbst to explore how gravity—or the absence of it—affects fluid movement t...

September’s Research Roundtable explored ModifiedDecongestive Therapy (MDT) , an approach being studied by Mayo Clinic occupational therapist and lymphedema specialist Rachel Alonzo. Complete Decongestive Therapy (CDT) remains the gold standard for lymphedema treatment, but access can be challenging due to limited insurance coverage, shortages of trained therapists, geographic barriers and the int...

The September Lymphedema Patient Roundtable was a “back-to-school” session, with longtime patients and advocates sharing the most important lessons they’ve learned about living with and managing lymphedema. Moderator Brenda Viola was joined by Karen Ashforth, MS, OTR, CLT-LANA, Catherine Rosenberg, Angela Jones and Tora Rocha for a candid conversation about building the right care team, becoming y...

The August edition of the Lipedema Patient Roundtable welcomed registered dietician, Bonnie Newlin, MPA, MS, RD, CDN, CLT (@cravenourishment_thelippyrd), whose personal lipedema journey resulted in an astounding transformation and now a mission to help others manage and thrive with lipedema. The discussion began with the mental strain of lifelong struggles with body weight and the importance of se...

The August Research Roundtable welcomed  Dhruv Singhal, MD , Director of Lymphatic Surgery at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Associate Professor of Surgery at Harvard Medical School, for an in-depth conversation about the rapidly evolving understanding of the lymphatic system. Dr. Singhal joined  Dr. Karen Herbst  to explore why lymphatic anatomy remains far less understood than the arte...

The July Lipedema Patient Roundtable focused on hope, practical strategies, and the importance of community as patients navigate life with lipedema. Featured guest  Rebecca Griffeth , a finalist for the Pattie Cornute “All or Something Award,” shared her inspiring personal journey from years of confusion and frustration to diagnosis, treatment, and advocacy. Rebecca described the discouraging expe...

What can children living with lymphedema teach adults about confidence, community, and embracing life with a chronic condition? In this July Lymphedema Patient Roundtable, special guest  Isabelle “Izzy” Egeling  joins the panel to reflect on volunteering with pediatric lymphedema patients at  Camp Watchme  alongside panelists  Alexa  and  Olivia . They share memorable moments from camp, the emotio...

July’s Research Roundtable featured an engaging discussion between  Dr. Karen Herbst  and  Melissa Seaton, MSN, FNP-C , of  the Roxbury Institute , exploring how lifestyle medicine can improve outcomes for people living with lipedema, lymphedema, chronic venous insufficiency, and related fat disorders. Melissa shared her personal journey from struggling with obesity as a child to becoming a nurse...

The June Lipedema Patient Roundtable celebrated Lipedema Awareness Month with an evening focused on advocacy, visibility, and the power of community. A highlight of the discussion was the presentation of the inaugural  Pattie Cornute  “All or Something” Award to  Kasi Grosvenor . Reflecting on her diagnosis five years ago, Kasi shared how Pattie’s encouragement and unwavering belief in the lipedem...

The June Lymphedema Patient Roundtable brought together patients, advocates, and clinicians for an engaging conversation in recognition of Wound Care Awareness Month. Special guest  Dr. M. Mark Melin , vascular surgeon and wound care specialist at Mayo Clinic, joined the panel to explore a topic that doesn’t receive nearly enough attention: the critical role the lymphatic system plays in wound hea...

During Lipedema Awareness Month,  Dr. Karen Herbst  sat down with  Dr. Patrick Greaney , a double board-certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon specializing in lipedema, lymphedema, microsurgery, and complex reconstruction. The discussion explored current surgical approaches, the emerging role of GLP-1 medications, and exciting developments shaping the future of care. Dr. Greaney reflected on...

American Lipedema Association  Board Member  Bailey Rotenberry-Maddox , a certified lymphedema therapist and nationally recognized lipedema educator, joined the May Lipedema Patient Roundtable as a special guest to share expert insights on improving awareness, support, and visibility for those living with lipedema. May is also Ehlers-Danlos Syndromes (EDS) and Hypermobility Spectrum Disorders (HSD...

Mental health is an often-overlooked aspect of living with lymphedema, despite the profound emotional impact chronic swelling, daily treatment, and medical complications can have on patients’ everyday lives. In recognition of Mental Health Awareness Month, this month’s Lymphedema Patient Roundtable explored the complex intersection of mental and emotional well-being with life alongside lymphedema....

The May Research Roundtable featured internationally recognized microsurgeon  Dr. Antonio Forte , whose work at Mayo Clinic is advancing lymphedema treatment through surgical innovation and emerging technologies. Patients from across the U.S. and around the world seek his expertise, particularly for lymphovenous bypass (LVB), a minimally invasive outpatient procedure that is redefining what’s poss...

The April 2026 Lipedema Patient Roundtable focused on one of the most important—and often overlooked—aspects of living with lipedema: adapting as your needs evolve, without guilt or shame. Panelists shared personal experiences of recognizing when conservative therapies were no longer enough, when surgery became the right choice, or when non-surgical management remained the best path. The overarchi...

The April Lymphedema Patient Roundtable was a full-on “compression session,” focusing on one of the most important (and sometimes most frustrating) parts of managing lymphedema: compression. Featuring special guest  Suzie Ehmann, DPT, CLWT, CWS, CLT–LANA , co-author of the S.T.R.I.D.E. algorithm, this conversation breaks down the different types of compression garments and how to choose the right...

The April Research Roundtable explored the complex relationship between lymphedema, peripheral arterial disease (PAD), and chronic wound healing, highlighting why clinicians need to look beyond the surface when evaluating a wound. Special guest  Dr. M. Mark Melin  joined host  Dr. Karen Herbst  to discuss how lymphatic dysfunction is present in nearly every chronic wound, particularly in the surro...

The March Lipedema Patient Roundtable brought together a dynamic group of experts and advocates to share education, updates, and practical strategies in recognition of Lymphedema Awareness Month. The discussion featured  Kathleen Lisson, CMT, CLT —a certified lymphedema therapist and contributor to  the U.S. Standard of Care for Lipedema . A key focus of the conversation was clarifying the distinc...

In recognition of Lymphedema Awareness Month, this Lymphedema Patient Roundtable explored the latest developments in lymphedema and lymphatic research. Joined by special guests  Maureen McBeth ,  Amy Rivera , and  Tora Rocha , the panel discussed exciting advancements in bioimpedance spectroscopy and advanced imaging, AI, pediatric treatment research, and new projects through the NIH and ARPA-H. T...

In honor of Lymphedema Awareness Month, the March Research Roundtable featured  Dr. Philip Brazio , Co-Director of the LE&RN Comprehensive Lymphedema Center of Excellence at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, CA, in conversation with  Dr. Karen Herbst  on advances in lymphedema treatment and the expanding role of surgical and comprehensive care. Dr. Brazio began by clarifying what lym...