The idea of Lymph Africa Education (LAE) was established in 2012, with the view to introduce much needed higher levels of training and education to all healthcare professionals to be able to care for people with all types of Lymphoedema and chronic Oedema issues in South Africa and all of Africa.
Our Story
At that time, Lymphoedema awareness, prevention education and treatment resources available to South Africans was inadequate, and the quality of care in the public and private sector was and still is not appropriately funded by medical aids (medical insurers). As a result, Lymphoedema care in general has great room for improvement and much needed “Education”.
The founder and CEO of LAE, Suzi Davey OTR/L, CLT-LANA, CLWT, is a renowned Lymphoedema Specialist from the USA and has been specialising in Lymphoedema and Wound Care since 1998 in her own private Lymphoedema Specialty Practice near Miami, Florida.
She has a vision to create an all-encompassing and comprehensive Lymphoedema Training for treatment and management, which allows for the implementation of correct and appropriate Lymphoedema and Wound care principles. Luckily in early 2015, her path crossed with the founder and CEO of the International Lymphoedema and Wound Care Training Institute Robyn Bjork Physio.
The concept of Lymph Africa Education
The concept of Lymph Africa Education was born, developed, and was finally introduced into the South African healthcare practioners market in October 2015. This concept is providing ground-breaking certification training and HPCSA Accredited combining Lymphoedema and Wound Care Education available to all Doctors, Nurses, Physiotherapists, Occupational Therapists, Podiatrists and Orthotists.
In order to provide good Lymphoedema and Wound care across South Africa, it is recognised that we will need to eventually develop “Lymphoedema Centres of Excellence”. The “Centres of Excellence” principle needs to be expanded and discussed. To achieve this, partnerships with various stakeholders are key. These partnerships will facilitate better Lymphoedema and Wound Care Healing outcomes for patients and optimal financial risk management for funders of healthcare.
The Mission of Lymphatic Education Africa is to thoroughly educate all, healthcare professionals with current research-based and clinically proven treatment solutions and techniques based on the International Lymphoedema Consensus model.
Lymphatic Education Africa also offers introductory advanced-level programs and specialized workshops to assist the Lymphoedema clinician in maintaining theoretical and practical expertise in the evolving and ever growing field of Lymphoedema management.
All instructional information is delivered via a superior quality online Learning Management System and then a complete hands-on practical didactic educational model.
Lymphology is a vastly under-studied area of medical specialization. As such, Lymphoedema is one of the most commonly misdiagnosed and under-treated co-morbidities associated with cardiac, orthopaedic, vascular as well as cancer treatment and survivorship. Lymphoedema and other oedema pathologies that involve uncontrolled swelling can and should be safely treated following an accurate diagnosis utilizing the specializpractitionerstic techniques learned in the certification course. The technique of therapy that creates the core of this regimen is based on the International Standards of practice for Complete Decongestive Therapy and Wound Care Management.
As Executive Director, Suzi Davey is present for and instructs portions of every training course. She remains committed to the delivery of an unaltered, uniform educational system regardless of location, class size, or participant background. Additionally, as part of the school’s enduring commitment to its alumni, our instructors are available to consult with practicing Lymphoedema therapists on challenging patient cases, reimbursement issues, and successful business practices.