Louise Koelmeyer graduated with a Bachelor of Applied Science in Occupational Therapy from the University of Sydney, Australia in 1990 and was awarded her PhD from Macquarie University in April 2021. She has over 30 years of clinical experience in both public and private hospital and clinic settings specializing in breast cancer rehabilitation and lymphoedema management in all areas of assessment, education, early detection and treatment. Louise completed basic and advanced Casley-Smith lymphoedema training and works as an accredited Lymphoedema Practitioner and is listed on the Australasian Lymphology Association’s (ALA) National Lymphoedema Practitioner Register.

As Director of the Australian Lymphoedema Education, Research and Treatment (ALERT) Program & Associate Professor at Macquarie University, Louise is involved in strategically managing and developing the education, research and treatment arms of the innovative multidisciplinary program.

Louise commenced in the role of Head, Department of Health Sciences in February 2023. In this role Louise develops and supports academics and academic endeavours by providing leadership to the Department and Faculty, and enhances the quality of teaching, research and community engagement within the Department.

Louise is a member of the ALERT teaching faculty offering ALA accredited lymphoedema training programs for health professionals.  Louise develops and presents education workshops and advanced skill-based modules on all aspects of assessment and management of lymphoedema locally, nationally and internationally. Her particular area of interest is on the early prospective surveillance model of care in early detection and management of lymphoedema and innovative advances in management.

Louise’s research interests are in achieving better outcomes in innovative early and advanced lymphoedema management through conservative and surgical treatment. Louise was the Australian Principal Investigator on the 5-year “PREVENT” Vanderbilt University Randomised Control Trial investigating the early detection and management of breast cancer-related lymphoedema. Macquarie University contributed the highest number of study participants (450) to the total cohort of 1,200 women on this study. Louise completed PhD studies at Macquarie University in April 2021 exploring Home Monitoring for lymphoedema using Bioimpedance Spectroscopy. Louise is also interested in the assessment and management of Head & Neck lymphoedema, surgical options and the use of Indocyanine Green Lymphography to personalise management. 

Louise’s clinical interests and expertise are in developing a therapeutic relationship with individuals and personalising treatment programs that support the individual’s needs and goals to achieve positive outcomes. At the ALERT multidisciplinary clinic Louise is involved in the pre and post-operative rehabilitation of patients following liposuction surgery whereby around 40% of patients attending the clinic are living outside of NSW and in New Zealand.

Louise welcomes HDR students to join the ALERT program and she has completed Macquarie University supervision training to supervise MRes and PhD students.