The LOI application for the 2024 cycle is open until January 8, 2024.

LE&RN Centers of Excellence (COE) in the Diagnosis and Treatment of Lymphatic Diseases (LD) have been designed to increase access to the best possible multi-disciplinary clinical care and services for individuals affected by LD and their families through a geographically diverse network of local and/or regional clinical centers. In addition to clinical and social services, the Centers will provide professional and lay education in the geographic areas they serve, are involved in LD clinical research, and work with LE&RN locally and internationally in its efforts to continually improve the lives of those affected by LD and their families.

This form is designed for institutions to indicate their interest in the LE&RN Centers of Excellence (COE). Review the standards and eight designations for COEs, and then complete the following form.

Letter of Intent (LOI) Application

The online letter of intent (LOI) serves as the request to submit a full COE application. Prospective applicants will be notified via email if they are invited to submit a full application. If the committee determines the proposed application does not fit the goals and objectives of the requested LE&RN COE designation, the applicant will receive feedback as well as options to support future, amended applications.

Institution Name

Institution Type

Provide the address and phone number for the institution's LD program.

Physical Address

Phone Number

Does the institution have a webpage dedicated to the LD services offered?

How long has the LD program been established?

Provide the name, title, and email address for the person completing this LOI application.

Name Prefix

Name

Suffix

Title

Provide the name, title, and email address for the director of lymphatic services. The director provided here should sign the Letter of Intent (LOI).

Director's Name Prefix

Director's Name

Director's Suffix

Director's Title

Director's Email

Provide the name, title, and email address for the co-director of lymphatic services, if it is applicable. The co-director provided here should also sign the Letter of Intent (LOI).

Co-Director's Name Prefix

Co-Director's Name

Co-Director's Suffix

Co-Director's Title

Co-Director's Email

Please enter the designation the institution feels qualified to attain (should be listed in the LOI). Please be advised that the designation is subject to approval by the Global Oversight Committee (GOC). The committee may decide the institution is better suited to apply for a different designation.

What designation do you intend to apply for?

COMPREHENSIVE COE
- designation indicates that an institution can provide the listed services on-site, all within the same institution, and can coordinate provision of the services. This includes meeting the minimum requirements of at least three (3) Certified Lymphedema Therapists (CLTs) on-site, and demonstrating proficiency in the following areas: diagnosis, imaging, conservative management, assessment tools, interventional therapies, surgery (with a minimum of 3 surgeons performing lymphatic surgeries), genetics, consultation, research, accountability, collegiality, administration and community involvement. Services and activities that are not required for COE designation, but are encouraged by the Global Oversight Committee, will be listed on the final application.
COMPREHENSIVE CANCER COE
- designation indicates that an institution can provide the listed services on-site, all within the same institution, and can coordinate provision of the services for patients who have developed lymphedema as a result of cancer treatment. This includes meeting the minimum requirements of at least three (3) Certified Lymphedema Therapists (CLTs) on-site, and demonstrating proficiency in the following areas: diagnosis, imaging, conservative management, assessment tools, interventional therapies, surgery (with a minimum of 3 surgeons performing lymphatic surgeries), genetics, consultation, research, accountability, collegiality, administration and community involvement. Services and activities that are not required for COE designation, but are encouraged by the Global Oversight Committee, will be listed on the final application.
COMPREHENSIVE PEDIATRIC COE
- designation indicates that an institution can provide the listed services on-site, all within the same institution, for children and young adults, and can coordinate provision of the services. This includes meeting the minimum requirements of at least three (3) Certified Lymphedema Therapists (CLTs) on-site, and demonstrating proficiency in the following areas: diagnosis, imaging, conservative management, assessment tools, interventional therapies, surgery (with a minimum of 3 surgeons performing lymphatic surgeries), genetics, consultation, research, accountability, collegiality, administration and community involvement, as well as referrals for patients no longer treated due to age restrictions. Services and activities that are not required for COE designation, but are encouraged by the Global Oversight Committee, will be listed on the final application.
COMPREHENSIVE NETWORK COE
- designation indicates that an institution and its affiliate institutions (within close geographical proximity) can provide the listed services. For example, University “A” School of Medicine, University “A” Teaching Hospital, University “A” Cancer Center, and University “A” Rehabilitation Facility can provide the listed services, and can coordinate provision of the services. This includes meeting the minimum requirements of at least three (3) Certified Lymphedema Therapists (CLTs) within the network, and demonstrating proficiency in the following areas: diagnosis, imaging, conservative management, assessment tools, interventional therapies, surgery (with a minimum of 3 surgeons performing lymphatic surgeries within the network), genetics, consultation, research, accountability, collegiality, administration and community involvement. Services and activities that are not required for COE designation, but are encouraged by the Global Oversight Committee, will be listed on the final application.
REFERRAL NETWORK COE
- designation indicates that the institution and/or nearby collaborating institutions can provide the listed services, and that these institutions can coordinate provision of the services. For example, University “A” School of Medicine, University “B” Teaching Hospital, “C” Cancer Center, and Private Practice “D” Rehabilitation Facility can provide the listed services, and can coordinate provision of the services. This includes meeting the minimum requirements of at least three (3) Certified Lymphedema Therapists (CLTs) within the referral network, and demonstrating proficiency in the following areas: diagnosis, imaging, conservative management, assessment tools, interventional therapies, surgery (with a minimum of 3 surgeons performing lymphatic surgeries within the referral network), genetics, consultation, research, accountability, collegiality, administration and community involvement. Services and activities that are not required for COE designation, but are encouraged by the Global Oversight Committee, will be listed on the final application.
LYMPHATIC DISEASE (LD) SURGERY COE
- designation indicates that an institution (i.e., a cancer care center or large teaching hospital/network) can provide the listed surgical services. This includes meeting the minimum requirements of at least three (3) Certified Lymphedema Therapists (CLTs) on-site or within the network, and demonstrating proficiency in the following areas: diagnosis, imaging, conservative management, surgery (with a minimum of 3 surgeons performing lymphatic surgeries within the network), research, accountability, collegiality, administration and community involvement. Services and activities that are not required for COE designation, but are encouraged by the Global Oversight Committee, will be listed on the final application.
LYMPHATIC DISEASE (LD) SURGERY NETWORK COE
- designation indicates that an institution (i.e., surgeons in private practice with full clinical and administrative staff) can provide the listed surgical services on-site and within their referral network. This includes meeting the minimum requirements of at least three (3) Certified Lymphedema Therapists (CLTs) on-site, and demonstrating proficiency in the following areas: diagnosis, imaging, conservative management, surgery (with a minimum of 3 surgeons performing lymphatic surgeries within the referral network - i.e. 1 on-site surgeon and 2 surgeons with whom you collaborate/refer), research, accountability, collegiality, administration and community involvement. Services and activities that are not required for COE designation, but are encouraged by the Global Oversight Committee, will be listed on the final application.
LYMPHATIC DISEASE (LD) CONSERVATIVE CARE COE
- designation indicates that an institution can provide the listed conservative care services on-site or within their own network. This includes meeting the minimum requirements of at least three (3) Certified Lymphedema Therapists (CLTs) on-site or within the network, and demonstrating proficiency in the following areas: diagnosis, conservative management, assessment tools, research, accountability, collegiality, administration and community involvement. Services and activities that are not required for COE designation, but are encouraged by the Global Oversight Committee, will be listed on the final application.

Number of certified LE therapists or equivalent on staff:

0
1
2
3 or more

Explanation

Upload an ORGANIZATIONAL CHART. This chart should include all departments and/or clinicians that diagnose and treat all LD related issues. Be sure to indicate if any are off-site, including those that are in network or are referrals. PDF is preferred.

Organizational Chart

Browse

Upload an ENCOUNTER-DIAGNOSTIC FLOW CHART. This documents the patient pathway from initial diagnosis (chief complaint, signs, symptoms, family and social history), to diagnostic testing (imaging, measurements), to procedures performed, to post-encounter referrals. Be sure to indicate if any departments and/or clinicians are off-site, including those that are in network or are referrals. PDF is preferred.

Encounter-Diagnostic Flow Chart

Browse

Please enter the name and title of the person that has signed the LOI and then attach the letter. The document MUST typed on institution letterhead in English or it will not be accepted.

Accepted file types are PDF (preferred), Word document, or JPG.

The LOI should be a brief letter describing your institution's mission, general patient population demographics, current capabilities, and vision for serving the LD community. It should summarize currently provided and proposed services for diagnosing and treating LD. If your institution does not currently meet all the criteria for the desired COE designation, please briefly detail your plan to incorporate needed capabilities into currently provided services.

Name of person signing LOI

Title of person signing LOI

Letter of Intent

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The LOI serves as the formal request to submit a full application later. Prospective applicants will be notified via email if they will be invited to submit a full application.

If the committee determines the complete application would not fit with the goals and objectives of the LE&RN COE designations, the applicant will be provided feedback as to why the proposal was not a good fit and what options are available to support future, amended applications.

The Centers of Excellence (COE) Global Oversight Committee (GOC) will review this application and the letter of intent (LOI) submitted. The GOC will determine the institution's eligibility to apply for a COE designation. The Lymphatic Education & Research Network (LE&RN) is not involved in the decisions for the COE process, nor do we have any influence in the process. LE&RN only facilitates the process for the GOC.

If you have any questions regarding the LE&RN COE program or the LOI process, please contact us at: [email protected].

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