Alberta Comprehensive Network of Excellence in Lymphatic Diseases
Advancing coordinated care, education, and research for lymphatic diseases across Alberta
What We Do
Clinical care. Support multidisciplinary assessment and management, prevention, prospective surveillance, rehabilitation, complete decongestive therapy, compression, exercise, skin care, self-management, pediatric care, virtual outreach, and coordinated pathways for emerging lymphatic surgical services.
Research and innovation. Advance basic science, clinical and translational research, health services research, implementation science, advanced imaging and measurement, digital health, and patient-partnered research.
Education and training. Build interdisciplinary workforce capacity through professional education, mentorship, trainee supervision, knowledge translation.
Community engagement. Partner with the Alberta Lymphedema Association, Canadian Lymphedema Framework, and patient advisors to strengthen education, navigation, advocacy, outreach, and national knowledge mobilization.
In the centre is Patient-centred Care. Then there are three items that intesect the main point and are also connected to each other:
- Patient-oriented Research: Multi-centre Trials; Knowledge Translation; and Technology (and Al) Integration
- Education: Lymphedema & Chronic Edema Course; MLD training Courses; Advanced Competency in Lymphedema
- Cross-Disciplinary Network: Centre of Excellence Designation (Centre of Excellence in Research, Education and Care)
Figure 1: Excellence in Lymphedema Care
Current development priorities
- Coordinated pediatric lymphedema program development
- Education research and workforce capacity building
- Artificial intelligence and digital health integration
- Health research translation and implementation
- Advanced imaging measurement and diagnostic capacity
About
In 2026, the Lymphedema Research and Training Pillar of the Dianne and Irving Kipnes Health Research Institute at the University of Alberta was designated a Comprehensive Network of Excellence in Lymphatic Diseases by the Lymphatic Education & Research Network (LE&RN).
The Lymphedema Research and Training Pillar serve as Alberta’s provincial hub for excellence in lymphedema care, research, and innovation. The Network unites clinicians, researchers, educators, health-system partners, community organizations, and patient advisors to improve care and outcomes for the approximately 130,000 Albertans living with lymphedema. Its work spans cancer-related, non-cancer, primary, and pediatric lymphedema.
What the designation means
LE&RN’s Centers and Networks of Excellence recognize institutions and collaborative networks that demonstrate a strong commitment to multidisciplinary care and services for people affected by lymphatic diseases. The Alberta designation reflects the collective expertise and contributions of partners working to improve coordination, strengthen evidence-informed practice, advance research, and support more equitable access to lymphedema care and information.
Our vision
A future where integrated learning health systems transform lymphedema care and outcomes for all Albertans.
Our mission
To advance integrated clinical care, research, and education that support early detection, effective management, including surgical and non-surgical approaches, and equitable access to high-quality lymphedema services across Alberta (Figure 1).
Our priorities
- Strengthen workforce capacity in lymphedema assessment and management.
- Advance integrated models of care across cancer-related, non-cancer, primary, and pediatric settings.
- Foster collaborative research spanning basic science, clinical research, health services research, and knowledge translation.
- Accelerate the translation of evidence into practice across diverse care settings.
- Develop coordinated referral pathways and improve access across populations and geographic regions.
- Integrate patient perspectives into clinical services, research priorities, education, and knowledge translation.