Biography
Dr. Emily Iker is a nationally and internationally recognized leader in the diagnosis and management of lymphatic disorders. She is the Director of the Lymphedema Center in Santa Monica and has over 30 years of experience in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, specializing in lymphedema, lipedema, and related conditions.
As both a cancer survivor and a lymphedema patient, Dr. Iker brings a uniquely personal perspective to her work. Her lived experience deepens her clinical insight and fuels her compassionate, patient-centered approach to care.
Dr. Iker earned her medical degree from St. George’s University School of Medicine and completed her residency in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at New York Medical College, where she served as chief resident. She also completed early surgical training at Cabrini Medical Center in New York. Certified by Professor A. Leduc, Ph.D., she established the Lymphedema Center in 1992 and has been a pioneer in advancing lymphatic medicine ever since.
She is a past President of the American Society of Lymphology and serves on the Board of Directors of the National Lymphedema Network. Dr. Iker is an active member of the International Society of Lymphology and the European Society of Lymphology, and she regularly lectures at global conferences, including the Fat Disorders Research Society.
An accomplished author, she has co-authored key publications including Lymphedema and Lipedema Nutrition Guide and Lymphedema: Complete Medical and Surgical Management. She is also a co-host of LympCast, a podcast dedicated to advancing awareness and education in lymphatic disease.
At the Lipedema Summit, Dr. Iker shares decades of clinical experience and insight into the complex intersection of lymphatic health, lymphedema, and lipedema management.
