Penelope Sanderson appointed leader in Lymphoedema

Mercy Health's Penelope Sanderson, the newly appointed Australasian Lymphology Association President, with Mercy Health Lymphoedema Clinic patient, Meg Schofield.

Following over a decade of experience working with lymphoedema, a swelling caused by a compromised lymphatic system, Mercy Health Lymphoedema Clinic Manager, Penelope Sanderson was appointed the Australasian Lymphology Association (ALA) President on 29 May.

"With lymphoedema affecting around 300,000 Australians, I was pleased to be asked to lead the peak professional organisation promoting best practice in lymphoedema management, research and education in Australasia," said Penelope. "This appointment provides me with an opportunity to advocate for further development of research and services in an area that is growing quite significantly. "While at this stage lymphoedema is not curable, it can be managed with education and specialised treatment provided by lymphoedema therapists which the ALA continues to promote," said Penelope. The ALA has recently launched the National Lymphoedema Practitioners Register which provides a listing of all lymphoedema practitioners across Australia who have fulfilled the accreditation and registration requirements of the ALA.

Penelope has been a member of the ALA for the past 12 years and continues to be passionate about improving services and delivering best practice in lymphology. She has also coordinated the Lymphoedema Compression Garment Program, a state funded aids and equipment program, and has driven improved best mark standards in the area of compression garment supply.

"There are exciting new challenges every day - this continues to keep me inspired, even after 12 years," said Penelope. Penelope recently spoke at a UK International Framework Conference on paediatric lymphoedema and hopes to contribute internationally to this area of research. She was officially acknowledged at the Australasian Lymphology Association Conference in Melbourne which ran from 27-29 May. Mercy Health Lymphoedema Clinic employees presented five papers and two posters at the conference and provided a booth which was a collaborative venture with Mercy Health Foundation. The new appointment will span two years and Penelope will continue managing Mercy Health Lymphodema Clinic throughout this period.