Board Of Directors

Director

Joan White is the founder of the Lighthouse Lymphedema Network. Ms. White attended Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, Michigan. She has Lymphedema in her left leg, ankle, foot, and abdomen. Joan is a member of the Lymph Science Advocacy Program (LSAP) through the National Lymphedema Network. Her hobbies include bridge, knitting, gardening and riding her wave runner.

Website, Event Registration, Medical Conference

Billie Barron is the Insurance and Claims Analyst at Kennesaw State University in the Insurance & Risk Management Department. Billie serves on the board of Lighthouse Lymphedema Network as our Event Registration Administrator and on the Conference Committee. She is also the Website Assistant. Billie is a Crisis Coordinator at Kennesaw State University and is also a CERT volunteer in Kennesaw. Billie is also on the Board of Directors for the Southern Loss Association. She volunteers in her community through her church, Oak Leaf Church in Canton, Georgia. Billie is an advocate for teen and single mothers in need, and through her church she heads a community outreach program that provides baby showers for these mothers. Billie is very passionate about her volunteering, her church and her family. Her hobbies include crafting with her granddaughter.

Medical Conference

Dr. Dolores Bradley is Associate Professor and Vice-Chair, Psychology Director, RISE Program, Spelman College, Atlanta, Georgia. She is a Research Associate Professor, Division of Sensory-Motor Systems, Yerkes National Primate Research Center of Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia. Dr. Bradley has primary lymphedema in both legs.

Fund Development, Medical Conference, Health and Wellness Fairs

Samantha Cannon-Martin is a graduate, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta, Georgia. She also holds an OT Masters Degree in Occupational Therapy, Belmont University. She obtained a certification in Complex Decongestive Therapy for Lymphedema management, Norton School of Lymphatic Therapy. Mrs Cannon-Martin serves on Gwinnett Medical Center’s Cancer Committee, Community Outreach Committee and Breast Cancer Leadership for Northside Hospital, Cumming/Forsyth, Georgia. She consults with physicians on a regular basis to educate them on the diagnosis of Lymphedema and swelling complications. She is a Certified Lymphedema Therapist independently serving patients in the Gwinnett, Forsythe, and Hall county areas.

Fund Development

Deb Cozzone is a graduate of Dickinson College, Carlisle, Pennsylvania with a BS in Mathematics and German. She has been married to Mike for 20+ years. After 13 years as a technical and business analyst for EDS, Ms. Cozzone changed careers to become a stay at home mom. Now that her children are off to college, she is working as an assistant archivist for the Computer Museum of America, Roswell, GA.

Event Chair, Medical Conference

Vicky Day received her BA from Auburn University thereafter receiving her Master of Speech Communication also from Auburn. Ms. Day is a member of the National Charity League (mother/daughter philanthropic organization). She is affiliated with the Wesleyan School – Grade Parent Representative. She is a Life-on-Life Disciple Leader – Perimeter Church. Ms. Day is the mother of Courtney Blaire Day who has been diagnosed with primary lymphedema. Courtney and her certified lymphedema therapist, Emily A. Smith-Francis, have written a book entitled “A Leg Up on Lymphedema”. The book is a personal account of the experiences of a teenager with primary Lymphedema.

Grant and Fund Development, Medical Conference, Speaker Committee

Shelley Smith Dicecco is a graduate of Clemson University with a BA in Special Education. Dr. Dicecco holds a Master of Physical Therapy from the University of St. Augustine. She completed a Doctor of Philosophy in Physical Therapy from Texas Woman’s University with her dissertation emphasis on Female Genital Lymphedema. Dr. DiCecco is a CLT-LANA certified lymphedema therapist and a certified Casley-Smith International Lymphoedema Instructor. Dr. DiCecco is an Assistant Professor in the Physical Therapy Department at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine Georgia’s campus. She is the Program Director for outpatient pelvic floor and lymphedema services in Atlanta Georgia with the Sports Rehabilitation Center. She is the owner of the lymphedema education company, LymphEd, LLC.

Health & Wellness – Conference

Jacqueline is a graduate of Texas Woman’s University with a B.S. in Occupational Therapy, Minor in Social Works and Psychology. She has worked in various settings Acute Care, Outpatient, Home Health, Skilled Nursing Facility and Shepherd Center. Jacqueline is employed at Piedmont Atlanta Hospital in Outpatient Lymphedema Therapy. She is certified in Casley-Smith Lymphedema Therapy since 2005.

Ellen graduated from Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio with a degree in psychology. After having 3 children she worked in the insurance industry as a claims adjuster for 30 years. When Ellen retired she began a career as a volunteer. She presently works many hours with The Assistance League of Atlanta.. Ellen developed lymphedema in the left leg in May 2019, cause unknown.

Newsletter Chair, Database Administrator, Medical Conference, Fund Raising, Legislation

Elaine Gunter is a graduate of the University of South Carolina with a BS in Biology. Ms. Gunter completed a number of post-graduate courses in microbiology at Georgia State University, Atlanta, Georgia. She was chief of the NHANES Laboratory at the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention and Deputy Director of the Division of Laboratory Sciences at CDC. In 2006 she retired from the CDC and created her consulting company, Specimen Solutions, LLC providing expertise in specimen banking and laboratory management. She continues to work in a number of public health areas. Elaine is the president of the CDC Chapter of the National Association for Active and Retired Federal Employees (NARFE). Ms. Gunter is the Newsletter editor and serves on 3 committees for the International Society for Biological & Environmental Repositories (ISBER).

Website, Newsletter, Fund Raising, Medical Conference, Legislation

Gary Gunter is a graduate of the University of South Carolina with a BS in Biology. Mr. Gunter completed his medical technology training at Watts Hospital, Durham, North Carolina. Mr. Gunter holds a Master’s Degree in Laboratory Management, Georgia State University, Atlanta, Georgia. He was Chief of the Grady Hospital clinical laboratory and worked in the Division of Laboratory Sciences at the Center for Disease Control and Prevention until he retired in 2004. Mr. Gunter is Secretary and newsletter editor for the CDC NARFE chapter.

Co-Administrator Bandages & Garment Fund – Fund Development – LTA Committee

Rebecca Hammad is a graduate of the University of Georgia with a B.S.Ed. in Health Promotion and Education. She earned her Master of Health Science in Occupational Therapy from the Medical College of Georgia. Ms. Hammad is a Certified Lymphedema Therapist with the Casley-Smith school. She works at the Shepherd Center serving individuals after spinal cord injury, brain injury, and other neurological conditions, including multiple sclerosis. Rebecca started a lymphedema program at the Shepherd Center to offer complete decongestive therapy interventions to individuals experiencing acute and chronic edema after injury or illness. Personally, Ms. Hammad has primary lymphedema and serves on the Board of the LLN to be an advocate and offer support.

Insurance Advisor, Health & Wellness

Laura Hoffman is a graduate of Hope College, Holland, Michigan with a BA in Psychology and Sociology and a Minor in Dance. Ms. Hoffman is certified in Compression Fitting and is a Insurance Specialist. She is Coordinator of Compression Therapy at Piedmont Hospital, Atlanta, Georgia.

Secretary, Parent Networking, Medical Conference

Debbie Labarthe received her BA degree in Secondary Business Education from the University of Central Florida in 1984 and her M.Ed degree in Inclusive Education from Kennesaw State University in 2011. She has over 25 years of teaching experience, primarily at the middle school level.

In 2003 her grandson, Carson Sollenberger, was born with primary lymphedema in his right leg and pelvis. She was instrumental in having his case reviewed and diagnosed by the Vascular Anomalies Center at the Children’s Hospital of Boston. She joined the LLN Board of Directors in 2004, has served as Secretary since 2006, and is also the LLN’s primary representative for Parent Networking.

Medical Conference - Special Events

Peggy received her BS in Education from the University of Georgia and a Master of Education from the University of West georgia. She taught for over forty years for the Cobb County School District where she received numerous honors including Teacher of the Year and the Martin Luther King, Jr. Humanitarian Award (most recently). Ms. Meyer is currently an active member of Alpha Delta Kappa, an honorary sorority for educators, and a past member of the Cobb County Senior Council Executive Board, an advocacy group for seniors. Peggy is a supporter of United in Pink, a breast cancer advocacy group in Macon, Georgia

Fund Development – Special Events – Donation of products

Vera Newman joined the LLN in 2007, wanting to get involved with a group that advocated for people with lymphedema. Vera’s husband has secondary lymphedema. Although born in Peabody, Massachusetts, she spent most of her childhood and education in Miami, Florida. While working in the banking industry in Miami during the early years of her career, she completed her undergraduate studies at University of Miami, and later returned to complete her MBA. She moved to Atlanta and took a lengthy leave of absence to be a stay at home mom with her children. Ms. Newman later returned to the work place advancing in a large medical group to the position of Administrator. Opting for early retirement, Ms. Newman now devotes her time to her passions; her husband and four children, extended family, gardening, traveling, reading, music, theater and enjoying friendships. She currently serves on the Board of the LLN and is Vice President of the Board of Trustees at her synagogue.

Health & Wellness – Conference

Stacy Saraydar graduated from St. Petersburg Junior College, St. Petersburg, Florida with a BS in PT Assistant. She graduated from Florida State University, Tallahassee, Florida with a Major in Psychology and Minors in Art History and Humanities. She is a Certified Lymphedema Therapist through the Academy of Lymphatic Studies and Casley-Smith School. Ms. Saraydar is a Physical Therapy Assistant and Certified Lymphedema Therapist at Piedmont Hospital, Atlanta, Georgia.

Website – Blog Writer/Contributor – Newsletter

Sharon Shepard recently joined our board to assist with communication and education efforts. She received her English degree from Davidson College and a Masters in Education from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. She has been a teacher, writing tutor, newsletter editor and education advocate, serving on PTA boards for over a decade. She has also published several newspaper articles and a novel. In 2017, Sharon was diagnosed with bilateral early-stage breast cancer in the middle of a move from Greensboro, NC to Kennesaw, GA, so she’s had the opportunity to experience lymphedema education and frustrations in two states. She has Stage 1 lymphedema in her left arm and is developing a bilateral prevention protocol for herself as well as other bilateral BC patients. Sharon loves to travel and hike with her family.

Medical Conference, Co-Administrator Bandages and Garment Fund

Janie Smith is a graduate of Georgia State University, Atlanta, Georgia with a BS in Physical Therapy. She holds a Certification for Lymphedema through the Academy of Lymphatic Studies, Sebastian, Florida. Ms. Smith is a United Way volunteer. She is a retired Certified Lymphedema Therapist from Northside Hospital, Atlanta, Georgia.

Publicity, Medical Conference, Health and Wellness Expos, Fund Development

Beverly Thompson is a graduate of Georgia State College for Women, Milledgeville, Georgia. Ms. Thompson holds a Masters in Educational Administration from the University of Georgia, Athens. She is a member of the Joy Council and Kitchen Angel for the Johns Creek United Methodist Church. Formerly, Ms. Thompson was a classroom teacher, studio teacher and principal for Fulton County Schools in Atlanta. “The LLN is an impressive organization. I feel honored to be a part of helping them to educate and create awareness about lymphedema.”