LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Bonnie Lasinski for her outstanding
advocacy and promotion of Lymphedema awareness

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that the quality and
character of life in the communities across New York State are reflec-
tive of the concerned and dedicated efforts of organizations and indi-
viduals committed to helping to improve the lives of others; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern and fully in accord with its long-
standing tradition, this Legislative Body is justly proud, on the occa-
sion of the observance of National Lymphedema Network's D-Day on March
6, 2013, to honor and pay tribute to Bonnie Lasinski, a dedicated clini-
cian, educator and advocate for Lymphedema awareness and education, for
her outstanding advocacy and promotion of Lymphedema awareness and
education; and
WHEREAS, National Lymphedema Network's D-Day brings awareness to this,
oftentimes, debilitating condition and helps find strength through
collective celebration and is also set aside to honor inspirational
Lymphedema patients and exceptional healthcare providers; and
WHEREAS, Bonnie B. Lasinski, MA, PT, CI-CS, and CLT-LANA began her
advocacy on behalf of Lymphedema in 1980 as a Co-founder of the American
Cancer Society Long Island Division's Lymphedema Support Group; she is
currently the Clinical Director of Lymphedema Therapy in Woodbury, Long
Island, New York, and of the Boris/Lasinski School, which teaches the
Casley-Smith Method of Complex Lymphedema Therapy (CLT); and
WHEREAS, Bonnie Lasinski is a 1976 graduate of the PT program at SUNY
Downstate Medical Center and a 1981 graduate of the master's degree
program in Motor Learning at Columbia University; and
WHEREAS, Bonnie Lasinski began her formal education in Lymphology and
the treatment of Lymphedema with Drs. John and Judith Casley-Smith of
Adelaide, South Australia, in 1992; in 1995, she assisted the Casley-
Smiths in teaching their course in Complex Lymphedema Therapy treatment
in Adelaide, South Australia, was certified as an instructor in their
method, and established the Boris-Lasinski School, a Casley-Smith U.S.
affiliate, later that year; and
WHEREAS, In June 1999, Ms. Lasinski participated in a course on Lymp-
hedema and its treatment for physicians and therapists at the Foldi
School in Germany; in the fall of 1999, she taught the first Universi-
ty-based course for therapists to be certified in Complex Lymphedema
Therapy (CLT), at the University of Vermont; and, in June and July 2009,
she presented this post-graduate 135-hour course in CLT in conjunction
with the Department of Physical Therapy and Human Movement Sciences at
Sacred Heart University in Fairfield, Connecticut; and
WHEREAS, Since 1992, Bonnie Lasinski has dedicated her practice to the
evaluation and comprehensive treatment of patients with lymphatic system
disorders; she facilitates a support group for persons living with Lymp-
hedema, and has conducted numerous in-service educational programs for
community hospitals and breast cancer support groups; she has made pres-
entations at many educational conferences including those of the Inter-
national Society of Lymphology, the National Lymphedema Network, Inter-
national Lymphoedema Framework and the American Physical Therapy
Association; and
WHEREAS, Bonnie Lasinski has, in addition, co-authored three clinical
studies on the treatment of Lymphedema published in ONCOLOGY AND
LYMPHOLOGY, contributed case studies published in the Casley-Smith's
1997 book entitled MODERN TREATMENT FOR LYMPHOEDEMA, and was the lead
author of the paper "Systematic Review of the Evidence for Complete
Decongestive Therapy (CDT) in the Treatment of Lymphedema" published in

PHYSICAL MEDICINE AND REHABILITATION in 2012; she authored the chapter
on the Lymphatic System in PATHOLOGY: IMPLICATIONS FOR THE PHYSICAL
THERAPIST published by Saunders in 2002, the revised 2009 edition and
the 2013 edition currently in press; and
WHEREAS, Highly regarded and actively involved in her profession,
Bonnie Lasinski is an active member of the International Society of
Lymphology and the Oncology Section of the American Physical Therapy
Association; she is a Member of the National Lymphedema Network's
Medical Advisory Committee and its Lymphlink Editorial Committee, a
Board member and past Vice President of the Lymphology Association of
North America, a founding Board Member of Casley-Smith International,
and a Steering Committee member of the American Lymphedema Framework
Project; and, in 2001, she was honored to have been named Oyster Bay's
Woman of Distinction in Healthcare; and
WHEREAS, Bonnie Lasinski served on the Board of Directors of the
National Lymphedema Network (NLN) from 1999 until 2005; she continues to
serve on its Medical Advisory Committee, Lymphlink Editorial Committee
and Scientific Conference Committee; and
WHEREAS, Bonnie Lasinski, in addition, facilitates a support group for
individuals with Lymphedema, lectures at NLN Conferences, assists NLN
staff answering patient questions, developed the course curriculum and
teaches Lymphedema Management at the Boris-Lasinski School, mentors
students and therapists interested in learning more about Lymphedema
Management; she recently developed and taught a protocol for pre and
post operative limb girth measurements to breast surgeons, physician
assistants and nurse practitioners at a regional hospital breast health
center on Long Island; she is a dedicated Lymphedema therapist and avid
patient advocate; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that those who
enhance the wellbeing and vitality of their community and have shown a
long and sustained commitment to excellence certainly have earned the
recognition and applause of all the citizens of this great Empire State;
now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Bonnie Lasinski for her outstanding advocacy and promotion of
Lymphedema awareness; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Bonnie Lasinski.