Louise (Ellie) Tanswell

Our beloved founder passed away in March 2025 and we work to continue her work, dedication and inspiriation.

Ellie, a UK-native who has lived in Hawaii since 2005 founded LymphaCare Hawaii in 2020 to educate clinicians about lymphedema and help patients manage their symptoms. An RN for over 30 years with advanced training in oncology and hospice/palliative care, Ellie has worked primarily with cancer and home-care patients. While treating patients with cancer, she encountered numerous individuals suffering from painful and debilitating symptoms of lymphedema as a side effect of their cancer treatment. This led to her interest in addressing what she saw as a serious gap in treating lymphedema effectively in her community and Hawaii as a whole. As a healer, Ellie was drawn to the "hands on" aspects of managing lymphedema symptoms, eventually becoming a licensed massage therapist and becoming a Certified Lymphedema Therapist (Lymphology Association of North America). Ellie worked as a lymphedema therapist. When she was not busy treating patients, giving presentations to raise awareness about lymphedema, or running a nonprofit, she could be found sailing in Kaneohe Bay with her husband Gordon and two pups Mahina and Kona Girl. 

Rochelle (Rocky) Lee  

Rocky is a Hawaii native who recently retired after over 35 years of service at The Queen's Medical Center in Honolulu. Rocky has survived breast cancer and has experienced lymphedema firsthand following cancer treatment. She follows a treatment regimen to keep lymphedema in her right arm controlled. Rocky gives back to her community by volunteering to help raise awareness of lymphatic diseases and joins our weekly movement class.

Cheri Teranishi-Hashimoto

 Cheri has been a physical therapist for over 20 years and currently serves as Therapy Director and Program Director of Women's Health and Cancer Rehabilitation at the Rehabilitation Hospital of the Pacific in Honolulu. She helped establish the first cancer rehabilitation program in Hawaii (iCARE), on the island of
Oahu, and in 2017 was recognized as a Hawaii Healthcare Hero by the Healthcare Association of
Hawaii. Cheri is a Certified Lymphedema Therapist (Lymphology Association of North
America, Academy of Lymphatic Studies) and has been working with lymphedema patients for over 18 years.  When she isn't working, Cheri loves spending time with her many fur-babies & critters and being outdoors.  

Michael Wolper

Michael is a lifelong resident of Kailua, Oahu. Michael has worked in management and many of the top landmark restaurants on Oahu. A 2017 survivor of late-stage throat cancer, he's had to learn to manage the many challenges that surface from aggressive cancer treatments, not the least of which is lymphedema. He follows a daily regimen to keep the lymphedema in his neck controlled. Michael's survivor journey has motivated him to be a leader in support and guidance of others in the multiple care groups he has been involved with. You can find him in the water most mornings in the sunrise surf of Oahu's famous Sandy's Beach before he heads home to his loyal dog Koa.  

Felicia Marquez-Wong  

Felicia is honored to be a Board Member of LymphaCare Hawai'i. 

Diagnosed with breast cancer, she had a mastectomy, and received chemotherapy treatment. Lymphedema care has been part of her self-care routine and supports LymphaCare Hawai'i. 

A former family caregiver, 

retired hospice social worker and thanatologist, Felicia now volunteers in the community. She lives with her husband, and their two rescue dogs. 

Olivia  Nagashima

Olivia is a license massage therapist with nearly 30 years of hands-on clinical experience, practicing since 1996. She has been an educator, mentor, and advocate for the massage therapy professions since 2004, supporting practitioners through educations, leadership, and professional growth.

Her commitment to service extends beyond the treatment room. Since 2008, Olivia has served as a volunteer state board member and chairperson, helping shape professional standards and uphold public trust. She has also served as a volunteer board member for a national massage therapy nonprofit organization since 2004, contributing to initiatives that advance the profession on a broader scale.

In addition to her professional leadership, Olivia is a volunteer council member at her church, reflecting her dedication to community care and service. Her work is rooted in integrity, experience, and a lifelong passion for healing, education and advocacy.

Gordon Goldsmith 

Joanne Zazzera

Joanne Zazzera, DPT, is a board-certified Women’s Health Physical Therapist with more than a decade of experience in the Queen's Medical System. A graduate of the University of Miami’s Doctor of Physical Therapy program, she has extensive expertise in oncology care and is a Certified Lymphedema Therapist trained in the techniques by Klose, ACOLS, and Leduc.
Dr. Zazzera has been an active leader within the Physical Therapy profession, serving as Chair of the Legislative Committee for the Hawaii Chapter of the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA), where she received the State Legislative Leadership Award. She also served as Vice Chair of the Hawaii State Board of Physical Therapy, contributing to policy and professional advocacy efforts statewide. Inspired by Ellie's vision to make sure each person with lymphedema is guided through the process and cared for at the highest quality, she is thankful to be a part of LymphaCare Hawaii.