Lipedema Resources – Southwest US

I keep a list of resources in the southwest United States, where I live, to include lists of physicians, surgeons, therapists and other support in the states of Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, Utah, and Texas.

Do you know of a practitioner who’s not listed here? Do you have other information to add as a resource? Please email me, and I’ll be happy to include that info on this page.

Index of Resources in the Southwestern US

Arizona Practitioners and Surgeons
Arizona Therapists
California Practitioners and Surgeons
California Therapists
Colorado Practitioners and Surgeons
Colorado Therapists
Mexico Practitioners and Surgeons
Nevada Practitioners and Surgeons
Nevada Therapists
New Mexico Practitioners and Surgeons
New Mexico Therapists
Texas Practitioners and Surgeons
Texas Therapists
Utah Practitioners and Surgeons
Utah Therapists
Support Groups in Southwestern States

Practitioners and Surgeons

Finding Lipedema Practitioners

Most in our community understand that locating a practitioner who is knowledgeable about lipedema is nearly an impossibility.

Ways to Search for Practitioners

There are several methods to use to look for a physician or other practitioners who is knowledgeable about lipedema. Those specialties which usually are good places to look are: cardiologists, vascular/vein doctors, dermatologists and lymphedema clinics.

The American Board of Venous and Lymphatic Medicine offers a physician locator for Certified Vein Specialists.

The American Vein and Lymphatic Society (formerly the American College of Phlebology) offers a member locator.

The Ehlers-Danlos Society offers the Ehlers Danlos Healthcare Professionals Directory for physicians and therapists.

The Lipedema Foundation also offers tips for finding a lipedema specialist.

Arizona Practitioners

Cardiology

Marc Joshua Berkowitz MD Cardiology | Gilbert, Mesa
Jenna Edwards FNP Cardiology | Tucson
Koushik Nag DO Cardiology | Avondale, Buckeye, Quartzsite

Chiropractic Medicine

Aaron Halle DC Chiropractic Care | Tucson

Complementary & Alternative Medicine

Kyle Cronin ND Naturopathy | Scottsdale

Endocrinology

Karen Herbst PHD MD Endocrinology | Tucson

Family Medicine

Michelle Cator FNP-C Family Medicine | Mesa
John Fuhrman II MD Family Medicine | Phoenix
David Galbreath MD Family Medicine | Chandler
Clifford Gazda MD Family Medicine | Phoenix
Veronica Green DNP FNP-C Family Medicine | Tucson
David Kahan DO Family Medicine | Tucson
April Lam FNP-C Family Medicine | Phoenix
Doug Maready MD Primary Care, Integrative Medicine, Weight Management | Arcadia, Gilbert, Mesa, Paradise Valley, Phoenix, Scottsdale, Tempe
Adam Nally DO Family Medicine | Surprise
Jennifer Schenne DO Family Medicine | Tucson
Jessica Williams MD Family Medicine | Phoenix

Internal Medicine

Podiatry

Bradley Whitaker DPM Podiatry | Tucson

Regenerative Medicine

Carrie Martinson NP Wound Care, Diabetes & Thyroid Management, Medical Weight Loss, IV Hydration Therapy | Gilbert
Sabrina Solt NMD Regenerative Medicine | Scottsdale
Carla Whorton NP Hormone Management | Scottsdale

Vascular Medicine

Lauren Beliveau MD Vascular Surgery | Benson, Tucson
Eric Berens MD Vascular Surgery | Tucson
Jeffrey Braxton MD Vascular Medicine, Lymphatic Medicine | Flagstaff, Paradise Valley, Sun City, Tempe
Jennifer Clark PA-C Vascular Medicine | Gallup, Mesa, Peoria, Phoenix, Prescott, Tucson
Mai Doan MD Vascular Surgery | Peoria
Kelly Favata MD Vascular Medicine | Gilbert, Gooyear, Paradise Valley, Peoria, Phoenix
Karen Garby MD Vascular Medicine | Scottsdale, Tempe
Ryan Jones MD Vascular Surgery | Ahwatukee Foothills, Litchfield Park, Mesa, Phoenix, Surprise
Layla Lucas MD Vascular Medicine, Wound Healing | Benson, Green Valley, Nogales, Tucson
Samantha Martin FNP-C Vascular Medicine | Avondale, Gilbert, Phoenix, Sun City
Dawn Olsen DO Vascular Surgery | Phoenix
Kenneth Osorio MD Vascular Medicine | Mesa
…….Nicole Cascella PA-C Vascular Medicine | Mesa
…….Eric Johnson PA-C Vascular Medicine | Mesa
…….Karah Norton ANP-C Vascular Medicine | Mesa
…….Jacqueline Welker PA-C Vascular Medicine | Mesa
The Vein Center At Dignity Health Vascular Medicine | Prescott
Federico Yanquez MD Vascular Surgery | Tucson
Sammy Zakhary MD Vascular Surgery | Glendale

Surgeons

See listings below for therapists in Arizona.

California Practitioners

Cardiology

Stanley Rockson MD Cardiology | Palo Alto

Dermatology

Timothy Berger MD Dermatology | San Francisco

Internal Medicine

Jennifer Curtin MD Internal Medicine | Mountain View

Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

Emily Iker MD Physical Medicine | Santa Monica

Vascular Medicine

Joel Crawford MD Vascular Surgery | Roseville
Gregory Lukaszewicz MD Vascular Surgery | South San Francisco

Surgeons

See listings below for therapists in California.

Colorado Practitioners

Family Medicine

Julie Jones PA-C Family Medicine | Denver
Pankaj Timsina MD Family Medicine | Denver, Lafayette

Internal Medicine

Adam Palazzari MD Internal Medicine | Lafayette

Nutrition and Dietetics

Jeffery Gerber MD Keto Nutrition | Littleton

Surgeons

Lily Daniali MD | Englewood

See listings below for therapists in Colorado.

Mexico Practitioners & Surgeons

David Gomez Almaguer | Monterrey
Alfonso Vargas Martinez | Tijuana UNVERIFIED
Stefan Welss | Cancun, Mexico City

Nevada Practitioners

Vascular Medicine

Carmel Celestin MD Vascular Medicine | Las Vegas
Eddy Luh MD Vascular Surgery | Las Vegas
Justin Poole PA-C Vascular Medicine | Mesquite

Surgeons

Timothy Katzen MD | Las Vegas, Beverly Hills
Erez Dayan MD | Reno

See listings below for therapists in Nevada.

New Mexico Practitioners

Kristina Sanchez MD Vascular Medicine | Albuquerque

See listings below for therapists in New Mexico.

Texas Practitioners

Endocrinology

Vidhya Illuri MD Endocrinology | San Antonio, The Woodlands
Erin Roe MD Endocrinology | Dallas
Leopoldo Cobos Salinas MD Endocrinology | Laredo NO LONGER ACCEPTING LIPEDEMA PATIENTS

Family Medicine

Afreen Khan DO Family Medicine | Austin
Ashley Lomeli FNP-C Family Medicine | El Paso
Anne Spencer MD Family Medicine | Austin
Wiseman Family Practice Family Medicine | Cedar Park, Central Austin, Corpus Christi, El Paso, San Angelo, San Antonio, Wimberley

Vascular Medicine

Eliza Codd NP Vascular Medicine | Shenandoah
Fort Worth Veins Vascular Medicine | Fort Worth
Aditya Gupta MD Vascular Medicine | Austin
Joel Gotvald MD Vascular Surgery | Austin, Round Rock
Hamilton Vascular Vascular Medicine | Round Rock, Stone Oak
Meghan McMahon PA-C Vascular Medicine | Southlake
Medical Vein Clinic Vascular Medicine | San Antonio
Lori Pounds MD Vascular Surgery | San Antonio
Cynthia Sanchez FNP Vascular Medicine | San Antonio
Southlake Vein Care Vascular Medicine | Southlake
Stridecare Vascular Medicine | Round Rock
Midhat Syed PA-C Wound Care, Vascular Medicine | Arlington
Joshua Trock DPT Vascular Medicine | San Antonio
Vitality Vein Care Vascular Medicine | Prosper

Wound Care

Erik Maus MD | Houston

Surgeons

See listings below for therapists in Texas.

Utah Practitioners

Family Medicine

William Esplin DO Family Medicine | St. George
Seth Hurd NP Family Medicine | St. George
Steve Ruiz PA-C Family Medicine | Orem
Tyson Schwab MD Family Medicine | Salt Lake City

Endocrinology

Juliana Simonetti MD Endocrinology | Salt Lake City UNVERIFIED

Internal Medicine

Brenda Gilgen-Siolo NP Internal Medicine | Salt Lake City RETIRED
Juliana Simonetti MD Internal Medicine | Salt Lake City

Vascular Medicine

Jamison Jones MD Vascular Medicine | St. George
Justin Poole PA-C Vascular Medicine | St. George

Surgeons

David Smart MD | Murray

See listings below for therapists in Utah.

Support Groups

There are several support groups for those living in the southwestern states, both online and in person.

Arizona

Therapists

Finding a therapist who is knowledgeable about lipedema is nearly an impossibility. This resource has been compiled with input from patients in numerous lipedema support groups and is updated as I come across mention of lipedema-aware therapists.

This listing is meant to provide a first step in locating a therapist but is not a recommendation for any particular practitioner. It is recommended to contact any therapist you are considering to ensure that they are still in practice and can help you with lipedema.

Do you know of a practitioner who’s not listed here? Do you have other information to add as a resource? Please email me, and I’ll be happy to include that info on this page.

About Certified Lymphedema Therapists and Certified Manual Lymph Drainage Therapists

There is no single criteria that defines and certifies a “certified lymphedema therapist” (CLT). The National Lymphedema Network (NLN) and the Lymphology Association of North America (LANA) are two organizations which have recommended minimum standards for competency, including 128-135 hours of training in decongestive therapy and hands-on experience with lymphedema patients. LANA also recommends courses in relevant lymphatic network-focused anatomy and physiology and hands-on instruction. The aspiring lymphedema therapist may take the Clinical Lymphedema Therapist-LANA (CLT-LANA) exam upon completion of this course work.

A lymphedema therapist specializes in the treatment of lymphedema — he or she may be a doctor, nurse, physical therapist, occupational therapist, massage therapist, etc. Practitioners who specialize in lymphedema therapy are adept at manual decongestive therapy — the form of specialized massage used to stimulate lymph drainage in affected areas of the body — and at applying compression wraps. There are several schools mentioned below for this type of training.

Klose Training also offers a professional credential in manual lymphatic drainage (MLD) as a “Certified Manual Lymph Drainage Therapist” (CMLDT). Instruction in anatomy and physiology of the lymphatic system is presented, and MLD treatment sequences are demonstrated and practiced. Treatment for mild, medically-uncomplicated upper and lower extremity lymphedema is taught as well as treating traumatic and post-surgical edema.

What is a lymphedema therapist and how can one help you? (n.d.). Lymphedema Products.

Ways to Search for Therapists

The Lymphology Association of North America (LANA) certifies therapists and offers a therapist locator.

There are several different schools and methods of instruction in lymphatic drainage. Use the links below to locate a therapist near you.

Academy of Lymphatic Studies Therapists (ACOLS)
Casley-Smith Therapists
Chikly Therapists
Klose Therapists
Norton Therapists
Vodder Therapists

You can also use the resource map at the American Lymphedema Framework Project to locate therapists in your area.

The Ehlers-Danlos Society offers the Ehlers Danlos Healthcare Professionals Directory for physicians and therapists.

The Lipedema Foundation also offers tips on finding a lipedema specialist.

Lymphatic Education & Research Network (LEARN) also offers tips on finding a lipedema specialist.

Schools for Therapists

Academy of Lymphatic Studies (ACOLS)
Brennan School of Innovative Lymphatic Studies
Casley-Smith International
Chikly Institute
International Lymphedema & Wound Training Institute
Klose Training
LymphEd
Monarch Consulting and Education
Norton School
Pacific Therapy Education
Plastic Surgery Recovery Massage
Vodder School

Arizona Therapists

Benson

Ava Englund PT | Benson

Chandler

Julz Poletti LMT MLD | Chandler
Tara Poloni OTR/L CLT | Chandler
Kathy Porter | Chandler

Chino Valley

Stephanie Porcaro LMT MLD-C MOBILE | Chino Valley, Dewey, Prescott, Prescott Valley, Williamson Valley

Dewey

Stephanie Porcaro LMT MLD-C MOBILE | Chino Valley, Dewey, Prescott, Prescott Valley, Williamson Valley

Fountain Hills

Norma Ford PT CLT CDN | Fountain Hills

Gilbert

Glendale

Taryn Gomez OTR/L CLT | Glendale (530) 219-1286
Patty Graham | Glendale
Karie Wilson (Rosenthal) CLT-LANA | Glendale

Green Valley

James Trout PT COMT CLT | Green Valley (520) 648-0270

Marana

Sondra Teer CMT PN-C CRT CMLDT | Marana

Mesa

Mount Lemmon

Tami Arthur LMT CLT | Mount Lemmon

Oro Valley

Leslie Drawdy DPT CLT-LANA | Oro Valley (520) 901-3580
Sonda Gilbert | Oro Valley (520) 901-3580
Lynn Keeler | Oro Valley (520) 901-3580

Peoria

Jessica Fostser DPT CLT | Peoria (605) 858-8516
Becky Rader LMT | Peoria
Amanda Sawasky-Rashid RN MLD-C MOBILE | Peoria

Phoenix

Prescott

Cerese Oakley DPT CLT | Prescott
Physical Rehabilitation Services | Prescott UNVERIFIED
Stephanie Porcaro LMT MLD-C MOBILE | Chino Valley, Dewey, Prescott, Prescott Valley, Williamson Valley

Queen Creek

Kelli Cooper OTR/L PTA CLT-LANA | Queen Creek

Scottsdale

Anita Bakke LMT CLT | Scottsdale (623) 223-1277
Kelly Chavez-Allen CLT-LANA | Scottsdale (480) 882-6820
Sarah Cottle MT CST CLT | Scottsdale
Barbara Debi PT CLT-LANA | Scottsdale (480) 227-1056
Holly Durkin DPT CLT | Scottsdale (602) 606-9632
Lorete Feka PT CLT | Scottsdale (480) 551-5436
Liz Foldi LMT CLT | Scottsdale (646) 378-8383
Malonie Gabriel LMT CLT | Scottsdale
Sara Gagliano PT CLT-UE | Scottsdale (480) 860-4298
Rhonda Hill LMT CLT | Scottsdale (623) 223-1277
Midori Homma PT CLT | Scottsdale (480) 212-4889
Christy Kim PT CLT HonorHealth | Scottsdale (480) 323-1100
Jennifer Klaine OTR/L CLT | Scottsdale (513) 265-6344 / (602) 606-9632
Lymphatic Healing Center | Scottsdale
Michelle Meyers | Scottsdale
Pink Ribbon Lymphatic Massage | Mesa, Scottsdale
Jennifer Rojas OTR/L CLT | Scottsdale (480) 800-3900
Samantha Sesso PT CLT | Scottsdale (480) 551-5400
Nancy Sklar OTR/L CLT | Scottsdale (480) 620-7754
Paula Svetlecich LMT CLT | Scottsdale (602) 448-7801
Traci Temple-St. John MT CLT | Scottsdale (480) 694-8650
Crystal Vendrell DPT CLT-LANA | Scottsdale

Show Low

Suzanne Brumfield OTR/L CLT | Show Low (928) 367-5777
Catherine Tatum | Show Low, Sun City West

Sun City

Michelle Mozart PT CLT | Sun City (623) 832-5349
Catherine Tatum | Show Low, Sun City West

Surprise

Michelle Garza PT CLT | Surprise (623) 544-0300
Holly Hussey | Surprise

Tempe

Tucson

Vail

Phillip McCoy | Vail

Waddell

Sharree Woolgar MT CLT | Waddell (602) 550-0858

Williamson Valley

Stephanie Porcaro LMT MLD-C MOBILE | Chino Valley, Dewey, Prescott, Prescott Valley, Williamson Valley

Yuma

Alicia Esparza PT CLT | Yuma (928) 344-1656
Heather Helton OTR/L CLT | Yuma (785) 554-6672
Myrna Monteon LMT CLT | Yuma (928) 581-3048

California Therapists

Colorado Therapists

Nevada Therapists

Lymphatic Therapy | Las Vegas

New Mexico Therapists

Deana Benjamin MS PT CLT | Santa Fe
Gila Regional Medical Center | Silver City
Patricia Huband OTR/L CLT LMT | Albuquerque

Texas Therapists

Utah Therapists