Our Staff

Who we are:

Suzanne Humen Davey, OTR/L, CLT-LANA - Director and Owner

Suzanne Humen Davey, OTR/L, CLT-LANA is a registered/licensed Occupational Therapist, who graduated from Quinnipiac College in Hamden, Connecticut in 1995 with a BS in Occupational Therapy. In 1998, Suzanne was certified by the Dr. Vodder School North America in the method of Manual Lymph Drainage (MLD)/Combined Decongestive Therapy (CDT) and has been practicing MLD/CDT ever since.
Suzanne started Lymphatics in August 1999, when she was still working at Aventura Hospital and Medical Center in Aventura, FL where she developed the first Lymphedema Treatment program in the area. In April 2000, she decided to leave the hospital and venture out on her own. Her passion for Lymphedema Therapy and MLD treatment was overwhelming. She couldn’t believe the misinformation and lack of knowledge in the Medical community about Lymphedema and the therapy available to treat this condition. Most physicians where not recognizing that if an edema is not reducing with conventional treatment such as diuretics and (RICE)-Rest, Ice, Compression and Elevation, after ruling out all other medical possibilities, then it could simply be a “lymphedema”.
As time went on and the business grew, Suzanne decided to rename the business to better suit the growth of the business. In November 2005, the legal business name was changed to Healing Hands of Lymphatics. The current focus is to utilize the knowledge and expertise of all of the therapists certified in the European Method of Manual Lymph Drainage for the purpose of reducing lymphedema/ edema and empowering each patient with the education and information to maintain and improve their own quality of life through the use of treatment techniques and products that are appropriate for their individual needs.
She is a member of the National Lymphedema Network, NAVALT, AOTA, FOTA, the Lymphatic Research Foundation and the City of Hope. She is a certified fitter for custom and ready made compression stockings with Juzo, Mediven, Jobst (Elvarex) Jobst (Elvarex), Reid Sleeve, Circ Aid and Farrow wrap. She has specialized training in Kinesio Taping, Wound Care Techniques, Ortho-Bionomy, Myofascial Release, and Reiki.
Our program is the first Lymphatic Therapy program in the State of Florida to focus on Post-Plastic Surgery edema. Also, our pre-natal and pregnancy massage program is the first comprehensive Lymphatic Therapy program to focus on Moms-to-be.

 

Margaret Glaser, LPN-CLT

Margaret Glaser, LPN-CLT, is a licensed practical nurse with 20 years of nursing experience. Margaret is Vodder certified in MLD/CDT through the Academy of Lymphatic Studies and has been practicing as a lymphatic therapist and wound care specialist since 2001. Margaret is a native of South Florida. Prior to her commitment to work in the field of lymphedema, she practiced as a pediatric nurse in her hometown of Pinecrest, Florida. Margaret’s experience with lymphedema encompasses Kinesio Taping and Wound Care Techniques. She is a certified custom garment fitter for Jobst-Elvarex, Juzo, Mediven, Reid Sleeve, Circ Aid and Farrow wrap. Margaret is currently involved in a Flexi-touch study at Nova Southeastern University with Dr. Harvey Mayrovitz

 

Erin Murphy , LMT-CLT

Erin Murphy is a licensed massage therapist through Florida College of Natural Health where she was introduced to lymphedema treatment. Erin went to the Dr. Vodder School of North America to become certified in Manual Lymphatic Drainage and Combined Decongestive Therapy. She also works with Kinesio Taping, Marnitz Therapy and Pregnancy Massage. Currently working on a degree for Occupational Therapy.

 

 

Kelly Olson, DPT-CLT

Kelly Olson, DPT-CLT received her Bachelor of Science degree in human biology from the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay in 2003, and her Doctorate of Physical Therapy degree from the University of Miami in 2006. She became a Certified Lymphatic Therapist through the Dr. Vodder School of North America in September 2006, and she is a certified fitter for Jobst-Elvarex custom compression garments.

 

 

Elizabeth George MS OTR/L – CLT

Elizabeth George graduated from Salve Regina University in Newport Rhode Island with a Bachelors of Science and Biology. She received a Masters of Science in Occupational Therapy from Barry University in Miami, Florida in 2006. Elizabeth has been trained by the Dr. Vodder School in Manual Lymph Drainage and Combined Decongestive Therapy.

 

 

 

Carmen Albu, MOTR/L, CLT-LANA

Graduated O.T. school with Masters of Occupational Therapy from Nova Southeastern University in Davie, FL in 1998. Started in the "world of lymphedema" in 1997-1998; became certified through Academy of Lymphatic Studies in March of 2000. Became Nationally Board Certified in October of 2001 through Lymphology Association of North America (LANA). Started one of the first lymphedema clinics on the Treasure Coast at Lawnwood Regional Medical Center in Ft. Pierce, FL and headed the clinic through April of 2006. Opened Healthy Lymphatics, Inc. independently on May 1st, 2006. Certified in compression garments fitting by Juzo and Jobst.

 

Tamala Medlin, Director of Operations	Sophia Penagos, Marketing Coordinator	Yolanda Fernandez, Office Staff

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Studies we participated in:

Healing Hands of Lymphatics and Dr. Harvey Mayrovitz from Nova Southeastern University are working together conducting the following studies:

TISSUE FIBROSIS AS A FACTOR INFLUENCING TISSUE BLOOD FLOW AND OXYGENATION IN WOMEN WITH POST MASTECTOMY LYMPHEDEMA. Its goal is to evaluate effects of arm lymphedema on skin microvascular circulation and determine if edema reduction and changes in tissue properties, subsequent to therapy, helps normalize initial circulatory deficits.

MEASURING SUB-BANDAGE STATIC AND DYNAMIC COMPRESSION PRESSURES. The main goal of this study is to provide initial examples and illustrations of some of the clinically relevant features of various bandages and devices under different conditions.

BIOPHYSICAL EFFECTS OF AUTOMATED DIRECTIONAL COMPRESSION IN PATIENTS WITH BILATERAL LOWER EXTREMITY LYMPHEDEMA USING THE FLEXITOUCH. Its goal is to evaluate the benefits and results of using the Flexitouch system on a person with bilateral lower extremity lymphedema.

ASSESSMENT OF STATIC AND DYNAMIC ARM PRESSURES ACHIEVED WITH A THERAPEUTIC COMPRESSION GARMENT AND A SHORT STRETCH BANDAGE. The main goal is to evaluate the benefits of using different types of compression garments and bandages on a lymphedema arm.

We believe that it is very important to maintain high standards in the treatment of Lymphedema. The Lymphatic Association of North America (LANA), is an organization that has designed an exam to ensure that lymphatic therapists have achieved an acceptable level of competency. We encourage anyone seeking treatment to be sure his or her therapist is fully certified. In order to become Vodder certified, a therapist must receive a minimum of 180 hours of instruction. In order to maintain certification, a therapist must be recertified every two years. No other program requires re-certification ensuring high standards and knowledge of the latest research and techniques.

Unfortunately, there are therapists treating lymphedema who claim to have had training in lymphatic therapy but are not fully certified. There are also therapists who have been certified by taking a weekend courses. The LANA certification exam was designed to "weed out" inadequately trained therapists. It is your right to inquire about certification before choosing a treatment facility.

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