Building a Comprehensive Lymphedema Program in a Rural Area

Description:

About the speaker: Dr. Boukovalas is a plastic and reconstructive surgeon in Knoxville, TN. Since joining the University of Tennessee Medical Center, he has led the development of the Comprehensive Lymphedema Service and is co-chair of the TN Chapter of the Lymphatic Education & Research Network. His clinical interests include oncologic and trauma reconstruction, microsurgery, lymphedema surgery, general plastic and cosmetic surgery. His passions involve innovative and cutting-edge surgical techniques, including DIEP and PAP flaps for breast reconstruction, virtual surgical planning (VSP), lymph node transplantation and lymphovenous bypass surgery using super-microsurgery techniques. On the academic side, Dr. Boukovalas has a strong interest in research, surgical education and contributing to scientific societies. He is involved in the American Society of Plastic Surgeons and the American Society of Reconstructive Microsurgery. He also has participated in several national scientific committees and served as a member of task forces contributing to guideline development and patient care quality improvement. His research is focused on clinical outcomes, healthcare disparities and applications of artificial intelligence in surgery. Dr. Boukovalas has published more than 40 peer-reviewed articles along with five individual book chapters and presented research in multiple regional, national and international conferences. He has earned several prestigious research and teaching awards, including the Resident Alpha Omega Alpha, Outstanding Plastic Surgery Resident and the ASRM Outstanding Paper Awards. Dr. Boukovalas was born and raised in Athens, Greece. He earned his medical degree at the University of Athens School of Medicine. After completing his Plastic Surgery Residency at the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston, he moved onto a fellowship in Microsurgery and Complex Reconstruction at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center.