We are sad to report that Iwona Swedborg, MD and Professor at Karolinska Institute in Stockholm, has recently passed away. Her research was widely recognized already in the 1970s and she contributed throughout her research to spreading knowledge and increasing interest in lymphology, both in Sweden and worldwide.
She participated in the founding of the Swedish Society of Lymphology in 1996. However, her career in lymphology and lymphedema treatment began much earlier. After earning her PhD in osteology in 1974, she became interested in patients with lymphedema. Through study visits to leading rehabilitation clinics in Europe, the USA, and Canada, she gained increased knowledge about lymphedema treatment. At that time, she was an assistant chief physician in the Department of Physical Medicine at Karolinska Hospital. When it became known that she was interested in lymphedema, she received, as she herself claims, the first referral directed to “the Polish female doctor who deals with swollen limbs.” At that time, her name was not well known, but now “the mother of Swedish lymphology” is a designation that well describes her and her work. Alongside her clinical work, she initiated research projects with support from grants from the Kobolt Foundation and YEAR, and in 1980, she obtained a docent degree in medical rehabilitation.
For those of us working with lymphedema treatment and conducting research in lymphology in Sweden, her scientific work still forms the basis for the method of plethysmography in measuring and assessing lymphedema. She also early on introduced the intermittent pneumatic compression in treatment, which is still used in healthcare today.
She had many international contacts like M. and E. Földi, Germany, R. Clusan, France, A. Leduc, Belgium, J. Casley Smith, Australia, N.B. Piller, Australia, P. Mortimer, UK, and W. Olszewski, Poland and early on, she advocated for these well-known researchers to visit Sweden and give lectures at the seminars that SFL regularly organized. She also served as “honorary president” at congresses organized by the European Society of Lymphology and the International Society of Lymphology. She also lectured on lymphedema treatment at many Swedish hospitals. Numerous study visits, both nationally and internationally, were made to her department, which was taken over by the Red Cross Hospital in 1982, where she served as chief physician. She was a widely recognized, inspiring, and dedicated leader of the department, as well as being demanding in a positive way.
Her interest in lymphology and lymphedema treatment never waned, and Iwona was always a cherished guest at all seminars and annual meetings organized by Swedish Society of Lymphology. With her sharp intellect and pleasant demeanor, it was always a great pleasure to have a conversation with her. She will be greatly missed.
On behalf of the board of the Swedish Society of Lymphology
Karin Johansson and Håkan Brorson
