A patient whose breast cancer led to lymphedema changed the course of physical therapist Lisa Sylvestri’s career focus: “My goal is that every cancer patient be given a chance to live their best life,” she says. Part of fulfilling this mission was becoming a certified lymphedema therapist and opening Oasis Physical Therapy and Wellness in the San Francisco Bay Area.
To her fellow clinicians, she says, “Go for it!” and to patients, she says, “Ask for it!” She encourages patients to be their own advocates and not to dismiss signals that their bodies are giving them that require attention.
“Seeing what patients need, being a long-term part of their care team – it’s fulfilling, but hard.” Interestingly, Lisa says the patient care part is the joyful part of the business; it’s the running a business at the same time that can pose the greatest challenges.
Taking what she’s learned these last few years, she’s developed a blueprint for others to model their own therapy businesses after. Visit www.oasisptwellness.com for more information (and use the code LymphaPress for a 20% discount).
The Lympha Press Leadership Series is intended to raise awareness to leaders in lymphedema, CVI, wounds, and lipedema and the organizations that advocate for awareness and research. Lympha Press is proud to offer this content to serve both clinicians and patients.
