Shelly Ryan

Shelly Ryan PT, CLT-LANA, is a Board-certified Physical Therapist and Head and Neck Lymphedema Specialist for Mercy Hospital—St. Louis, Missouri, at the David C. Pratt Cancer Center. She has been a Physical Therapist for over 30 years in various settings, including acute, outpatient, long-term care, and home health, including wound care. Since 2001, Shelly has been specializing in Lymphedema, where she found her passion. She became Dr. Vodder School of Lymphology Certified in 2003. In 2010, she became LANA Certified; in 2012, she became oncology rehabilitation STAR certified. Since 2011, Shelly has focused solely on the head and neck lymphedema population, where she has helped develop both the inpatient head and neck cancer patient pathway and the head and neck lymphedema outpatient programs for Mercy Hospitals. In 2016, Shelly was among the national experts that Tactile Medical consulted in developing their head and neck garments for Flexitouch. She also co-authored the feasibility study published in ‘Head & Neck Journal’ in September 2017 as the first peer-reviewed paper published on the head and neck application of advanced pneumatic compression. Shelly was consulted on the design of the Medi Circaid reduction Kit for the head and neck. Shelly enjoys teaching and has been a guest lecturer and consultant at various conferences, seminars, and support groups.