Transforming Cancer Care with Bioimpedance Spectroscopy Technology (ANZ)

Dr. Ward is Honorary Reader in Metabolic and Nutritional Biochemistry at the University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia having previously been a full-time member of academic staff. Dr. Ward led the development of a leading research groups in the bioimpedance field. This research group were one of the first to apply bioimpedance spectroscopy (BIS) to the study of body composition. This work pioneered the use of BIS for lymphoedema early detection and assessment with a highly cited paper in Lymphology (Early diagnosis of lymphedema using multiple frequency bioimpedance) establishing BIS as the standard for lymphoedema detection.

Catherine joined ImpediMed in 2007 bringing with her over 20 years of global clinical experience with medical devices. Prior to joining ImpediMed, Catherine worked as a Cardiac Scientist at several world-class medical institutions including St. Andrew’s War Memorial Hospital, The Prince Charles Hospital, and Royal Brompton Hospital. She has studied at Queensland University of Technology (Australia) and University of London (UK).

Joann is the Senior Director of Marketing for ImpediMed. She has worked in medical device and life science marketing for over ten years with a passion for delivering products and therapies that improve patients’ lives. Her experience includes departmental leadership, strategic planning, new product development, and commercialization. Joann joined ImpediMed in March 2019 and spearheaded development of the Lymphedema Prevention Program with the goal of applying ImpediMed’s technology to end cancer-related lymphedema. She holds a B.S. in Bioengineering from the University of California San Diego and a Masters in Business Administration from the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) Anderson School of Business.

Jen McKenzie is a Lymphoedema Physiotherapist and ESSA Accredited Exercise Physiologist. Jen runs her own private allied health clinic, The McKenzie Clinic, on the Sunshine Coast in Queensland, Australia. Jen specialises in treating patients with or following Breast Cancer and those with or at risk of lymphoedema. Jen is passionate about improving referral pathways to Allied Health following a Breast Cancer diagnosis. Jen is Co-Founder of the Breast Cancer Thrivership Program (www.thrivership.com.au) and has set up a Breast Cancer Support Group on the Sunshine Coast.

Kate Perkins is a passionate Cancer Rehabilitation Occupational Therapist (OT), certified Pinc and Steel cancer rehab therapist, Lymphoedema Therapist and founder of Cancer Rehabilitation and Lymphatic Solutions, and the Bounce Back from Breast Cancer Exercise Rehab Program. Kate has helped countless women diagnosed with breast cancer to improve their quality of life and assists recovery through individualised, evidence-based, exercise rehab programs, as well as providing detailed patient education and hands-on treatment. She has a strong focus on the Prospective Surveillance model of practice in the early monitoring for Breast Cancer Related Lymphoedema (BCRL).

Maree is a physiotherapist and established the Victorian Lymphoedema Practice (VLP) in 1992. She has close to 30 years of experience in the area of lymphoedema and also physiotherapy following breast cancer management. She has worked in both the private and public sectors and has always embraced change in lymphoedema management based on evidence-based practice. Her involvement in lymphoedema has not only been from a clinical perspective. She was part of the steering committee that established the Australasian Lymphology Association (ALA) and served as their first president. She has also been on numerous committees and working parties concerning lymphoedema both internationally and nationally at a state and federal level. Maree established Lymphoedema Education Solutions (LES) which delivers lymphoedema courses for health professionals. There are over 1000 health professionals that receive monthly information from LES. She enjoys teaching and making it an authentic learning experience as well as speaking at health professional and public seminars.

Dr Elizabeth (Liz) Dylke is a Senior Lecturer in the Discipline of Physiotherapy at the University of Sydney. She completed her undergraduate degree at the University of British Columbia, Canada in Human Kinetics, before undertaking her Masters of Physiotherapy at the University of Sydney. She completed her PhD in 2013, with a focus on the diagnosis of upper limb lymphoedema. Since then, Dr Dylke’s focus has continued to be on understanding and improving the assessment and measurement of lymphoedema, in the upper limb, breast and lower limb.

Louise Koelmeyer has over 28 years of clinical experience in both public and private hospital and clinic settings specializing in breast cancer rehabilitation and lymphoedema management in all areas of assessment, education, early detection and treatment. As Lymphoedema Program Manager & Senior Lecturer in the Australian Lymphoedema Education, Research and Treatment (ALERT) program at Macquarie University, Louise is involved in strategically managing and developing the education, research and treatment arms of the innovative multidisciplinary program. Louise’s clinical interests and expertise are in developing a therapeutic relationship with individuals and personalising treatment programs that support the patient’s needs and goals to achieve positive outcomes.

Richelle received a PhD in the field of bioimpedance spectroscopy from Queensland University of Technology and holds a Bachelor of Engineering in Aerospace Avionics with a minor in Systems Engineering from the Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia. Through her work to study and test device prototypes, Richelle’s focus is to support the research community and advance the use of bioimpedance for clinical use.

Brent Collier has worked as a Health Professional since 1996 in positions ranging from High Performance Sports Science/Coaching, Health Science and Massage Therapy. Brent completed further studies in 2001 when he graduated from University of Wollongong with a degree in Exercise Science and Clinical Rehabilitation. Brent is the Director at Peak Health, one of Sydney’s leading Exercise Physiology and Allied Health Practices. Brent’s unique approach to treatment has helped improve his patients’ outcomes by applying evidence-based rehabilitation to all walks of life.

Joanna is an Accredited Exercise Physiologist with 15 years of clinical experience delivering exercise interventions to patients presenting with a wide range of chronic and complex medical conditions including cardiometabolic, musculoskeletal, neurological and psychological conditions; cancer; and chronic pain. Joanna has worked extensively in university-based, multidisciplinary health clinics and the private sector. She is a sessional lecturer in the Master of Clinical Exercise Physiology program at the Australian Catholic University, and has a keen interest in clinical research. In her role as Exercise Physiologist at MQ Health, Joanna aims to provide her patients with individualised and tailored exercise programs – complementing other medical, dietary and lifestyle interventions – to improve health and wellbeing.

Robyn graduated from the University of Queensland in 1982 and has over 30 years’ experience working in Cancer care. Having completed her PhD in 2000 investigating the effects of Physiotherapy for Breast Cancer Rehabilitation and Early Detection of Lymphoedema which was initially introduced in 1993, Robyn has worked in public and private health care settings committed to providing individual focused evidence-based best practice to optimize outcomes for patients. Promoting change in patients and health professionals, Robyn has participated in many non-clinical and research activities with education and advisory roles. Robyn has a number of publications, presented at National and International conferences and been a reviewer for a number of journals and research grant bodies. Opening her private practice in 2005 translating her prospective surveillance model into clinical care, Robyn provides physiotherapy rehabilitation and exercise prescription following a cancer diagnosis within individual treatment plans. While lymphoedema awareness, early detection and management are targeted, optimizing health and well-being for patients diagnosed with cancer and/or lymphoedema is integral to the “MOVES for Life” programme offered through the practice.