Dawn Brinkman is an experienced occupational therapist and certified lymphedema therapist with over 32 years of experience in patient assessment and treatment. Throughout her career, she has worked in various settings, including Orlando Health and Florida Hospital (now Advent Health), where she developed her expertise in lymphatic and wound management techniques.
She earned her Bachelor of Health Science in Occupational Therapy from the University of Florida in 1993. Dawn furthered her education by obtaining a Master of Health Science in Occupational Therapy from Mount Mary University in 2022 and a Post-Professional Doctorate in Occupational Therapy from the same institution in 2024. For the last 25 years, she has specialized in lymphedema treatment and education. She has recently expanded her focus to include interventions for lipedema.
In addition to her clinical practice, Dawn has been a part-time primary instructor at the Norton School of Lymphatic Therapy. She currently holds the Director of Clinical Education and Certification Programs position at the American Academy of Lymphatic and Wound Care, where she oversees lymphatic and wound management courses for healthcare professionals in Florida. Dawn is passionate about upholding the standards for lymphedema certification through education and training programs. She aims to bridge direct patient care with academia, inspiring the next generation of certified lymphedema therapists.
Dawn is dedicated to developing innovative classroom strategies that motivate students and enhance meaningful learning experiences to become lymphedema therapists. She also values establishing trusting relationships with her patients, students, and colleagues, creating a nurturing environment that supports personal and professional growth.
Jean LaMantia, RD is a Registered Dietitian in Canada and the U.S. with over 20 years’ experience helping people to achieve their nutrition goals. She has researched and written three books on nutrition for cancer, lymphedema and intermittent fasting entitled: The Essential Cancer Treatment Nutrition Guide and Cookbook, The Complete Lymphedema Management and Nutrition Guide, and Complete Intermittent Fasting. She also created The Cancer Risk Reduction Guide, a food and lifestyle resource to help cancer survivors reduce their risk of recurrence. Jean speaks and blogs extensively on nutrition for cancer, lymphedema, lipedema and intermittent fasting and is the founder of the Lymphedema Nutrition School for patients and professionals.
Susan Allen is a 1995 graduate of the University of Southern California with a Bachelor of Science in Occupational Therapy. She received her lymphedema training in 1998 from the Lerner Academy of Lymphatic Studies. In 2001 she became LANA certified. She went on to help expand the existing outpatient lymphedema program at Florida Hospital and helped transition lymphedema treatment into the inpatient setting. In 2001, while still working at Florida Hospital she expanded lymphedema treatment into the Home Care setting making it the first agency to utilize complete decongestive therapy in Central Florida. Ms. Allen began organizing lymphedema certification courses for the hospital and had the opportunity to assist Steve Norton & Gunter Klose beginning in 2002 and eventually becoming an adjunct instructor for the Norton School of Lymphatic Therapy. She has participated in advanced training for lymphedema management including a visit to the Lympho-Opt clinic in Hirschbach, Germany in 2005.
Ms. Allen has conducted research on the cost effectiveness of lymphedema treatment in the Home Care setting and was selected to present her findings at the National Association of Home Care Conference in 2004. In addition, she has had articles published in the National Lymphedema Network’s newsletter and contributed to Lymphedema Management, 4th addition.
Ms. Allen currently works in private practice focusing on treating Lymphedema patients. She contributed to program development for AALWM’s Lymphedema Certification Class, helping to shape a comprehensive and impactful curriculum. With her extensive expertise and dedication, she is enthusiastic being an adjunct instructor for the certification class. Her commitment to education and improving lymphedema care reflects her belief in empowering others through learning and fostering excellence in the field. about teaching lymphedema certification classes, and providing clinical consultation services.
