Growing International Network Helps Connect Patients with Institutions Demonstrating Expertise in Lymphatic Disease Care
NEW YORK, NY (October 6, 2026) — The Lymphatic Education & Research Network (LE&RN) announced its newest designations of Centers of Excellence, recognizing nine institutions in the United States and six internationally for excellence in the diagnosis, treatment, research and management of lymphatic diseases.
The new designations expand LE&RN’s global network to 90 Centers of Excellence across 24 countries. The network helps patients and families identify specialized lymphatic disease care while bringing together leading institutions to advance research, education, multidisciplinary care and collaboration across the field.
“Finding knowledgeable, specialized care remains one of the greatest challenges facing people living with lymphatic diseases,” said William Repicci, president and CEO of LE&RN. “We are proud to welcome the 2026 class to this growing global network. Together, we can help patients find the expertise they need while building a stronger foundation for research, collaboration and continued progress.”
The 2026 designees are:
- Apollo Athenaa Women's Cancer Centres, India — LD Surgery Center of Excellence
- Institute of Applied Dermatology, India — LD Conservative Care Center of Excellence
- Dianne and Irving Kipnes Health Research Institute: Lymphedema Education and Research, Canada — Comprehensive Network Center of Excellence
- Janusz Korczak Provincial Specialist Hospital in Slupsk, Poland — LD Surgery Center of Excellence
- North Estonia Medical Centre: Rehabilitation Centre, Estonia — LD Conservative Care Center of Excellence
- Atlantic Health System, New Jersey, U.S. — Comprehensive Cancer Center of Excellence
- Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU), OR, U.S. — Comprehensive Center of Excellence
- University of California at San Francisco Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, CA, U.S. — Comprehensive Cancer Center of Excellence
- Tampa General Hospital | University of South Florida Health Lymphedema Center, FL, U.S. — Comprehensive Center of Excellence
- University of Virginia Lymphatics Translational Clinical and Research Center, VA, U.S. — Comprehensive Center of Excellence
- University of Washington Medical Center, WA, U.S. — LD Surgery Center of Excellence
- Erie County Medical Center Corporation, NY, U.S. — LD Surgery Network of Excellence
- Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, U.S. — Comprehensive Center of Excellence
- The University of Tennessee Medical Center Knoxville Comprehensive Lymphedema Clinic, TN, U.S. — Referral Network of Excellence
- Lymphatic Disease Program at Balaton Private Clinic, Hungary and Vienna, Austria — LD Surgery Network of Excellence
Lymphatic diseases affect millions of people worldwide yet remain widely underdiagnosed, undertreated and underfunded. Lymphedema alone is estimated to affect approximately 10 million Americans and more than 250 million people worldwide. For many patients, limited access to clinicians and institutions with specialized lymphatic expertise can contribute to delayed diagnosis and gaps in care.
LE&RN’s Centers of Excellence program recognizes institutions that meet rigorous standards for lymphatic disease care and expertise. Depending on their designation, centers are evaluated across areas including diagnosis, conservative management, surgery, clinical assessment, research, education, multidisciplinary collaboration and community involvement. Each institution undergoes a rigorous application and review process overseen by LE&RN’s Global Oversight Committee. Led by Max Itkin, MD, of the University of Pennsylvania, and Melissa Aldrich, PhD, of UTHealth Houston, the committee includes more than 20 lymphatic disease experts from institutions around the world.
ABOUT LE&RN
LE&RN’s mission is to fight lymphatic and related diseases through education, research, and advocacy. We seek to accelerate the prevention, treatments, and cures for lymphedema, lipedema, lymphatic anomalies, and the continuum of lymphatic diseases.