Dr. Dimitrios Dionysiou is a Professor of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at the Medical School of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece. 

He graduated from the Democritus University of Thrace in 1996, and he certified as a Plastic Surgeon in 2007. He underwent a fellowship at the QVH-UK, a lymphedema fellowship in Paris by the pioneer in lymph node transfer Corrine Becker, he received the postgraduate title: “Postgraduate training in lymphatic diseases for medical doctors” from the European School of Lymphatic Diseases, and he was a Visiting Assistant Professor in lymphedema research at Stanford University, USA. 

He has published a numerous peer review articles including scientific articles for lymphedema, attended more than 150 national and international educational seminars and conferences, while he presented more than 350 scientific works, delivered more than 130 lectures, and edited 2 medical books and authored chapters in medical books related to microsurgery, breast, or lymphedema. He has been involved in organization of national and international scientific meetings, and he is senior instructor of the microsurgical training program of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, and co-instructor at the microsurgical lab in Thessaloniki Greece for the “Reconstructive Microsurgery European School”.  

Prof Dionysiou is a member of national and international medical scientific societies. He has served as the Chair of EURAPS Research Council from 2020 to 2021 and from 2023 till 2024, and as President of the Hellenic Society of Reconstructive Microsurgery for 2020. Since 2023 he runs a postgraduate program in “Advanced Lymphedema Treatment” at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki for health professionals.  

Prof Dionysiou serves as the coordinator of the lymphedema section of the Department of Plastic Surgery AUTH at the Papageorgiou General Hospital. The lymphedema team of the hospital received the prestigious title “Network of Excellence’ of LE&RN and became the first Center of Excellence of the country.  

The vision of Dr Dionysiou, to become an advocate and raise awareness for the lymphedema treatment, was synchronized with the Greek chapter’s co-founders, to create an open and easily accessible community network between health care professionals and patients with easy communication with similar international networks. 

Triantafyllou Evripidis, Physiotherapist MSc 

Graduated Physiotherapist from Athens in 2004 and now he is a dedicated lymphedema therapist and instructor.
Since 2009 he is the director of the Specialized Physical Therapy Center “BIOANADRASIS” and he is in charge of the Lymphedema department.
Completed his training on the Vodder method for the Oedema Management and he is a member and certified instructor of the German School for Lymphedema of ZML Pritschow.
Since 2023 he runs his own school: O.Ed.E.M.A, Academy providing the MLD/CDT certification and courses for edema management.
He is a member of Greek, German and International Society of Lymphology.  

Since 2016 he is one of the founding members of the Scientific Group for Lymphedema (APLESO) of the Greek Physiotherapists Association which serves till now from the position of the president of the board. He was the president of the scientific board of the 1st and 2nd Lymphological Conferences organized by the association in Athens in March 2018 and March 2022 respectively.
Specialist and instructor of courses for compression garment measurement. He is the first physiotherapist member of the scientific board of the association for women with breast cancer “Alma Zois”.
Acquired and MSc in Sports Physiotherapy from the University of Novi Sad, Serbia. Cooperates with the company Lohmann & Rauscher as a Key Opinion Leader and teaches all over Europe for Lymphedema management.  

Erica developed unexplained swelling in her right leg about ten years ago at the age of 36. It took many years and multiple doctors before receiving a diagnosis of primary lymphedema. Even with the diagnosis, it was difficult to find help. She credits resources from LE&RN in finding proper care and support, first in NYC and then again when she moved to Greece.

She understands the needs of patients dealing with the condition, and with this knowledge wants to be of service to her community. She hopes to assist in efforts to bring awareness to patients, doctors and caregivers; keep up to date on latest research and participate in education programs; and most importantly, advocate for patients’ needs.