Joachim E. Zuther, MLD/CDT Certified Instructor
Founder Academy of Lymphatic Studies, Sebastian, FL
Following extensive training in Lymphedema Management, which started in 1984, Joachim Zuther founded the Ulmkolleg/Department of Lymphology (University of Ulm, Germany) in 1990 after he received his degree as a certified instructor for Manual Lymph Drainage (Vodder Technique) and Complete Decongestive Therapy (MLD/CDT) from the German Physical Therapy Association. In 1994 he formed the Academy of Lymphatic Studies, Sebastian, FL - the first school to offer Lymphedema Therapy Certification courses according to the European curriculum in the Continental United States. He was also the first instructor to teach courses in Taiwan and Saudi Arabia. Joachim is an active member of the National Lymphedema Network (NLN), the International Society of Lymphology (ISL), the German Society of Lymphology (DGL), and the German Physical Therapy Association (VPT) as well as a founding member of the Lymphology Association of North America (LANA). In 2005 he authored the textbook “Lymphedema Management”, which was published by Thieme Medical and Scientific Publishers, New York, NY

Trudy Ferguson-Pitters, PT, MHSA, MLD/CDT Instructor
Faculty, Medical Advisor Academy of Lymphatic Studies, Coordinator of the Lymphedema Program at Aventura Hospital, Aventura, FL
Trudy received her BSc in Physical Therapy in 1991 from the University of Toronto, Ontario. She pursued her Master's Degree in Health Services Administration at Nova Southeastern University and is a licensed Physical Therapist in Canada as well as the United States. Trudy coordinates the Lymphedema Management Program at Aventura Hospital in Aventura, FL where her focus has been on the promotion of Lymphedema Care at support groups and facility meetings. Trudy joined the Academy of Lymphatic Studies in 1999 as an Associate Instructor, she is also a faculty member of a private college in Fort Lauderdale, Florida a member of the APTA, FPTA, NLN and the American College of Healthcare Executives.

Julie Jefferson, PT, DPT, MLD/CDT Instructor
Faculty, Medical Advisor Academy of Lymphatic Studies
Dr. Jefferson received her MS in Physical Therapy in 1993 as well as a clinical doctorate in 2003 from the University of Central Arkansas. She received training in Lymphedema Management in 1998 and assisted in the development of a lymphedema clinic at a major hospital in Little Rock, Arkansas. Dr. Jefferson has a variety of clinical experience in a multitude of clinical settings. Currently, she teaches at and is the Director of Clinical Education at Georgia State University. Dr. Jefferson is an active member of the NLN and APTA. She joined the Academy of Lymphatic Studies as an assistant instructor in 2006, and completed her instructor training in 2007.

Alyssa Bryant, MHS, OTR/L, MLD/CDT Instructor
Faculty, Medical Advisor Academy of Lymphatic Studies
Alyssa received her BHS in Rehabilitative Services in 1999 from the University of Florida. She continued on as a post-baccalaureate student receiving her MHS in Occupational Therapy in 2001. She worked as a staff occupational therapist at an outpatient rehabilitation clinic with pediatric and adult neuro populations before receiving her training in CDT/MLD from the Academy of Lymphatic Studies in 2004. Currently she manages the lymphedema program at an Outpatient Rehabilitation clinic in Spring Hill, FL. She is a member of NLN, and AOTA. She joined the Academy of Lymphatic Studies as an assistant instructor in 2006, and completed her instructor training in 2007.

Nicolle Samuels, MSPT, CLT-LANA, MLD/CDT Instructor, CWS
Nicolle received her Masters of Science in Physical Therapy from the University of South Dakota in 2001 with academic honors, and obtained her national lymphedema certification from the Lymphology Association of North America in 2002. Her practice areas have been focused in orthopedics, lymphedema and swelling disorders, wound care, and cancer-related rehabilitation.  In 2006 Nicolle joined the Academy of Lymphatic Studies as an Associate Instructor and Medical Advisor. She frequently lectures to the public and medical audiences regarding lymphedema education and advocacy.  Nicolle has also instructed the physical therapy students of the University of Wisconsin – LaCrosse and medical students of the University of South Dakota in the topics of lymphedema and edema management.  Nicolle recently obtained designation as a Certified Wound Specialist through the American Academy of Wound Management.  She is an active and involved member of the APTA and state chapter as well as the National Lymphedema Network.  She is currently the Director of Rehabilitation Services at Hegg Memorial Health Center in Rock Valley, IA. 

Marina Maduro, PT, WCC, MLD/CDT Instructor
Faculty, Medical Advisor Academy of Lymphatic Studies
Marina received her BA in Physical Therapy in 1988 from Washington University in St. Louis, MO. She is a licensed Physical Therapist in Miami, FL and coordinated the lymphedema program department at Kendall Regional Medical Center (KRMC) in Miami, FL. She received her certification as a MLD/CDT therapist from the Academy of Lymphatic Studies in 1996 and has been dedicated to lymphedema and wound care since then. Marina has been certified as a wound specialist by the Natl. Alliance of Wound Care (NAWC) in 2004, and has been coordinating the wound-healing center at KRMC. From 1995-2000 she had lectured about lymphedema in South American countries at different congresses and symposiums of phlebology and lymphology. She has also become an instructor for the American Heart Assoc. for BLS. She joined the Academy of Lymphatic Studies as an assistant instructor in 2006, and completed her instructor training in 2007.

John Jordi, PTA, BS, CLT-LANA, MLD/CDT Instructor
Faculty, Medical Advisor Academy of Lymphatic Studies
John received his PTA degree in 1993 from St. Catherine's College in Minneapolis, MN and his certification as an MLD/CDT therapist in 1999 from the Academy of Lymphatic Studies. He has devoted his practice to full time lymphedema treatment since his certification. Since 2002, John has been the lymphedema program coordinator at Siskin Hospital for Physical Rehabilitation Services in Chattanooga, TN. In addition to the outpatient lymphedema program, he developed and manages a specialized inpatient program for stage 3 lymphedema patients. In 2007, John received his BS in Business Administration from Bryan College in Dayton, TN. He also joined the Academy of Lymphatic Studies as an assistant instructor in 2007 and completed instructor training in 2008. John's interest in lymphedema extends to patient advocacy and community education. He organizes and facilitates a bimonthly educational support group, and he initiated an endowment fund to assist patients with the cost of compression garments. John is a member of the NLN and has presented at professional and patient conferences.

Dusty Fiester, MPT, CLT/CDT Instructor
Faculty, Medical Advisor Academy of Lymphatic Studies
Dusty received her Masters in Physical Therapy in 2001 from the University of Evansville with academic honors. She was certified as a CLT by the Academy of Lymphatic Studies in 2003. Dusty has worked as a manager and staff physical therapist. She has experience in outpatient, inpatient, a hospital based SNF and home health care settings. In all settings, her passion is meeting the needs of those with lymphedema. She also presents guest lectures at her alma mater regarding lymphedema management. She joined the Academy of Lymphatic Studies as an assistant instructor in 2008, and completed her instructor training in February of 2009.

Lymphedema program coordinator and lymphedema therapist at King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center, Riyadh, KSA. Medical Advisor for the Academy of Lymphatic Studies
Nouf received her Bachelor degree in Physical therapy from King Saud University, Riyadh, and college of applied medical sciences in 1996. She worked as physical therapist in both in and outpatient neurology and
oncology for 4 years and received her CDT certification in May 2000 at the Academy of Lymphatic Studies. Since then she is working and specializing in that field. Nouf received an advanced course at the Lymphology congress in Genoa, Italy Sept 2001. She is a member of the ISL and the NLN and regularly lectures to medical professionals and PT students on lymphedema management.

Michael King, MD, F.A.C.P., F.A.C.C.
Physician-in-Chief Lymphedema Treatment Services in Ft. Lauderdale, FL, Faculty and Medical Advisor Academy of Lymphatic Studies
Dr. King received his BA in 1961 from Lafayette College in Easton, PA and his M.D. degree in 1965 from the State University of New York; he is Board certified in Internal Medicine and Cardiovascular Disease. His post-graduate training includes a Fellowship in Cardiology at New York University of Medicine. He is Clinical Assistant Professor at the Department of Medicine, University of Miami School of Medicine, Coral Gables, FL (since 1973) and the Physician-in-Chief of Lymphedema Treatment Services of Ft. Lauderdale, FL. Dr. King has extensive experience in the diagnosis and treatment of lymphedema and is one of the leading lymphedema specialists in the country, his affiliation with the Academy of Lymphatic Studies dates back to 1998. Dr. King also serves as Clinical Advisor for the National Lymphedema Network (NLN)

Michael Vogelpohl, MD
Medical Director of the Ulmkolleg/Department of Lymphology in Ulm, Germany, Medical Advisor Academy of Lymphatic Studies