Lymphatic Education
& Research Network

Dr. Stefanos Boukovalas is a plastic and reconstructive surgeon practicing in Knoxville, Tennessee. He has completed a microvascular fellowship at MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston and his areas of expertise include therapeutic and preventative lymphedema surgery. Dr. Boukovalas was involved in the care of multiple patients with lymphedema throughout his training and based on this experience, became passionate about caring for those struggling with this debilitating disease. He is an Assistant Professor at The University of Tennessee Graduate School of Medicine and is excited to be leading the Comprehensive Lymphedema Center in Knoxville. In addition to his clinical practice, he is also conducting extensive research focusing on the quality of life of lymphedema patients and the financial burden placed on them by battling this illness. His goal for the Tennessee Chapter is to create a place for healthcare providers and patients to connect and collaborate. Educating the public, improving access to care, and advocating for lymphedema research and treatment, will hopefully further promote LE&RN’s vision for a world without lymphatic disease. 

Hanna Crawford is a family nurse practitioner with the University Surgical Oncology group at the University of Tennessee Medical Center in Knoxville, TN.  She works primarily with the breast surgical oncologists.  During her time with the breast surgical oncologists, she has developed an interest in lymphedema and specifically helping the patient population served in this office.  Due to this interest, she has obtained specialized training and knowledge in the diagnosis and management of lymphedema.  In addition, she is inspired to provide complete patient education after walking through the breast cancer journey with her own mother.

Dr. Jesse Smith is a specially trained microsurgeon who performs the full spectrum of surgical procedures designed to treat lymphedema. He has learned firsthand from his patients how severely lymphedema impacts one’s quality of life and strives to make advances in the field of lymphatic surgery through his surgical practice and research endeavors. He enjoys lymphatic surgery because of its technical challenges and, more importantly, because of the potential benefits it provides for patients suffering from lymphedema. His vision for the Tennessee Chapter of LE&RN is to help ensure that patients with lymphedema in the state of Tennessee have access to the information and treatment options available.

Dr. Jillian Lloyd has been in clinical practice as a breast surgical oncologist for about 7 years and has been struck by the need to balance managing breast cancer treatment with quality of life.  Historically, breast cancer has been treated with a radical approach, pushing cure rates without much regard to the patient's long-term quality of life when that cure is achieved.  However, more recently, there are many of us who recognize the physical, mental, and emotional toll that these treatments have in our patients, particularly when we discuss lymphedema.  Her desire as part of this group is to maintain cure rates with a careful eye on reducing complications and driving quality of life for our long-term survivors.