Growing Access to Lymphedema Care Through Expertise and Collaboration

By Andrea Morrow, Outpatient Therapy Program Manager, Rock Creek of Ottawa, KS

In January 2025, Lexi Cheray, OT, and Lindsay Burson, COTA/L, from Rock Creek of Ottawa, completed advanced lymphedema certification training, marking an important step in expanding specialized outpatient therapy services for our community. Since earning their certification, they have played a key role in growing the outpatient lymphedema program and delivering exceptional patient outcomes.

The program has welcomed 13 new lymphedema patients, many of whom required specialized compression garments and pneumatic pumps — resources Lexi and Lindsay helped successfully obtain. Their collaborative approach to care has extended beyond therapy services, as they have worked closely with Ottawa’s wound care clinic to support wound healing while effectively reducing edema in complex cases.

Through consistent, evidence-based treatment and teamwork, patients have experienced remarkable improvements, with lymphedema measurement reductions ranging from 20 centimeters to as much as 60 centimeters. These outcomes highlight the impact of specialized training and coordinated care on patient quality of life.

The success of the program has been so significant that plans are already underway to send an additional therapist for lymphedema certification this spring. This continued investment reflects a strong commitment to expanding access to high-quality lymphedema care and meeting the growing needs of our community.