Current Advocacy & Education Initiatives
Empowering Women’s Health: Investigating the Hidden Gaps in Chronic Disease Care
This interactive community session focuses on empowering women with chronic conditions by addressing gender bias, lack of awareness, and systemic healthcare challenges. Tailored for both healthcare professionals and community members, the program equips nurses and case managers with evidence-based strategies to enhance early identification and care coordination, while providing women with practical education on self-advocacy and navigating the healthcare system.
The session will explore overlooked conditions like lipedema, obesity, and autoimmune diseases, offering actionable tools to improve health outcomes with a holistic, patient-centered approach. Women will also have the opportunity to complete a self-assessment tool to identify risk factors associated with obesity and fat distribution disorders, with the possibility to join a women’s health pilot program for further support and education.
Mid-Atlantic CMSA
799 Dekalb Pike, Blue Bell, PA 19422
May 7th, 2025
6:00-8:00PM
Register here: CMSA Registration for Guests
1.0 Continuing Education Credits (CE) for Nurses, Case Managers, & Social Workers
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HR 11 Bill: A Landmark Step for Lipedema Awareness and Advocacy
The HR 11 Bill is a critical piece of legislation that aims to officially recognize Lipedema Awareness Month and drive national attention to this often overlooked condition. Passed through the Health Committee, this bill marks a significant milestone in our advocacy efforts to elevate Lipedema care and raise awareness about its impact on women’s health. By recognizing a dedicated month for Lipedema, we are taking a major step toward securing better diagnosis, care, and support for those affected.
The bill’s passage is a testament to the collective efforts of patients, healthcare providers, and advocates. As we continue to push for its full passage, we are one step closer to ensuring that Lipedema receives the attention and resources it rightfully deserves.
Stay updated on the next steps as we work toward securing full recognition and putting this vital legislation into action.
Lipedema 1 in 9 Challenge: Raising Awareness, One Provider at a Time
The Lipedema 1 in 9 Challenge is an upcoming initiative aimed at shedding light on the prevalence of Lipedema and empowering individuals to take action in spreading awareness. With 1 in 9 women affected by this often misunderstood condition, our goal is to unite patients, healthcare providers, and advocates in raising awareness and fostering early diagnosis. This challenge encourages participants to take steps, share stories, and engage with their communities to drive meaningful change for women living with Lipedema.
Stay tuned for more details on how you can get involved and help spread the word!
Case Managers as Innovators: Advancing Population Health Solutions
This digital CE session highlights the role of case managers as innovators in healthcare, with a focus on population health management and women’s health advocacy. Attendees will explore how clinical expertise, interdisciplinary collaboration, and an entrepreneurial mindset can drive innovations that improve patient outcomes. Real-world examples, including the Integrated Lipedema Early Assessment and Discovery (I.LEAD) tool, will demonstrate how case managers can bridge care gaps and enhance early detection, particularly in Lipedema care.
Participants will leave with actionable strategies to implement innovative solutions in their workflows, promoting health equity, patient-centered care, and improved healthcare efficiency.
Exciting Progress for Lipedema Awareness! Pennsylvania's HR11 Bill Passes Health Committee! We're excited to share that HR11, which recognizes June as Lipedema Awareness Month, has successfully passed the Pennsylvania Health Committee! This marks a significant milestone in the ongoing efforts to raise awareness about lipedema, a chronic condition that disproportionately affects women.
Exciting Progress for Lipedema Awareness! Pennsylvania's HR11 Bill Passes Health Committee! We're excited to share that HR11, which recognizes June as Lipedema Awareness Month, has successfully passed the Pennsylvania Health Committee! This marks a significant milestone in the ongoing efforts to raise awareness about lipedema, a chronic condition that disproportionately affects women.
Advancing Lipedema Awareness Through Advocacy, Education, and Empowerment
At Lipedema Health, we are committed to driving progress in Lipedema care through advocacy, education, and empowering both patients and healthcare providers. Our mission is to bridge the knowledge gap, improve awareness, and promote early intervention, ultimately enhancing the quality of care for women living with Lipedema.
HR11 Bill: A Milestone in Lipedema Awareness
The HR11 bill, which seeks to officially recognize Lipedema Awareness Month, has successfully and unanimously passed in the Health Committee. This marks a critical step toward gaining national recognition and support for Lipedema, a condition that affects millions of women but remains largely underdiagnosed.
The passage of HR11 brings much-needed visibility to Lipedema, encouraging increased research, better healthcare policies, and greater public awareness. Recognition at the federal level will help ensure that more women receive early diagnoses and appropriate care for this debilitating condition.
Next Steps:
With the bill passing the Health Committee, the next phase is to bring it before the full House of Representatives for a vote. If passed, it will be a major win for advocacy efforts, helping to secure Lipedema’s place in national healthcare discussions and driving systemic improvements in care.
Advancing Lipedema Awareness: Our Past Contributions
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Date: June 5, 2024
Delivered At: National CMSA Conference
CE Credits: 1 CCM, RN, LSW, Disability
Abstract:
This program highlighted the far-reaching consequences of Lipedema, a frequently misdiagnosed chronic tissue disorder, and its toll on patients and healthcare systems. Emphasizing the critical role of case managers, the session explored advocacy strategies to address healthcare inequities, promote early diagnosis, and prevent advanced disease progression.Participants Learned To:
Recognize the significance of early diagnosis in preventing advanced Lipedema.
Identify evidence-based best practices (standards of care) and multidisciplinary approaches to care.
Address healthcare biases and inequities to enhance patient-centered outcomes.
This session empowered case managers to take proactive steps in advancing equitable Lipedema care, supporting both patient well-being and systemic improvements.
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Date: October 9, 2023
Delivered At: CMSA Mid-Atlantic Chapter (Local Event)
CE Credits: 1 CCM, RN, LSW
Abstract:
This presentation equipped nurses and case managers with practical tools to identify and manage Lipedema, emphasizing the importance of early diagnosis to prevent disability. It provided actionable strategies for reducing healthcare disparities and improving patient outcomes.Participants Learned To:
Recognize the signs and symptoms of Lipedema for timely intervention.
Understand the role of nursing professionals in advocating for effective care.
Apply patient-centered strategies to improve quality of life for Lipedema patients.
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2024 year long partnership to address the gaps in Lipedema Care and work toward solutions to improve the quality of care.
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Lipedema was recognized by Guardian Nurses through Thomas Jeffersons Award October, 2024 for Entrepreneurship - Recognition for nurse led company to advance care for women with Lipedema.
Bridging the Knowledge Gap
Awareness and education about Lipedema are vital to improving outcomes for women. As a nurse, I’ve seen firsthand how the lack of understanding and late diagnosis impact women’s lives—leading to unnecessary pain, frustration, and delayed care. By addressing these challenges, we can empower both patients and healthcare providers to close the gaps in care, foster earlier recognition, and create a path to better management
Key Areas of Focus
Practical Tools & Resources
We provide accessible, evidence-based tools that improve patient care and enhance communication between patients and healthcare providers:
Discover Toolkit – A comprehensive guide designed for both patients and healthcare providers. Features tools like the ILEAD risk assessment, symptom trackers, and communication guides to enhance the patient experience and care delivery.
Educational Resources – Materials to help providers gain a deeper understanding of Lipedema, including standards of care and treatment options.
Advocacy for Better Care
Our mission is to empower women living with lipedema and advocate for improvements in their care. We work relentlessly to bridge the gap between patients, providers, and the healthcare system to ensure better, more equitable treatment for those affected by lipedema.
Patient Empowerment – Providing tools and resources to help women navigate their healthcare journey with confidence. We give patients the knowledge and support they need to advocate for their own care and communicate more effectively with their providers.
Provider Support – Offering healthcare providers the resources they need to better understand Lipedema, recognize its symptoms, and implement more effective treatments. By supporting providers, we improve patient outcomes and ensure lipedema is recognized as a critical health condition.
Building Expertise Together
Education and collaboration are key to improving Lipedema care. We strive to build a shared knowledge base between patients and healthcare providers to create an environment of continuous learning and improvement.
Foundational Knowledge – As a resource hub, we offer accessible, evidence-based content that helps both patients and healthcare providers stay informed about the latest developments in Lipedema care.
Training & Support – We provide ongoing education to healthcare providers, including workshops and webinars focused on improving Lipedema awareness, treatment, and patient communication.