NEWS

The International Lipedema Association (ILA) is delighted to congratulate its co-founder, Dr. Robert Damstra, on being appointed Officer in the Order of Orange-Nassau, one of the Netherlands’ highest royal honours.

The distinction was presented on 21 May 2026  during Dr. Damstra’s Jubilee Symposium, attended by nearly 190 national and international colleagues, collaborators, and friends.

The honour recognizes his outstanding contributions to healthcare, research, education, and international collaboration.

A dermatologist at Nij Smellinghe Hospital since 1992, Dr. Damstra has dedicated his career to advancing the fields of lymphedema, lipedema, and lymphovascular medicine. He played a key role in establishing the Expertise Center for Lymphovascular Medicine (ECL) in Drachten, which has become an internationally recognized center of excellence and the only recognized Dutch center offering inpatient interdisciplinary care for lymphovascular disorders.

Shaping standards of care

Dr. Damstra has also been instrumental in shaping standards of care through his leadership of national guideline initiatives, including serving three times as Chair of the Dutch Lymphedema Guideline Committee and leading the Dutch Lipedema Guideline Working Group in 2016. His scientific contributions include more than 100 publications, a PhD on lymphedema, and extensive research that has improved the diagnosis and treatment of lymphatic and adipose tissue disorders.

Co-founder of the International Lipoedema Association

As one of the co-founders of the International Lipoedema Association, Dr. Damstra has been a driving force behind international cooperation, professional education, and the advancement of lipoedema research and awareness. His leadership has helped strengthen the global community dedicated to improving care for patients living with lipoedema. The rank of Officer, the fourth class in the Order of Orange-Nassau, is awarded to individuals who have rendered outstanding service of national and international importance.

For the ILA community, this recognition reflects Dr. Damstra’s lifelong commitment to improving patient care and advancing scientific knowledge.

On behalf of the International Lipoedema Association, we extend our warmest congratulations to Robert on this prestigious and well-deserved honour. His vision, leadership, and dedication continue to inspire colleagues and improve the lives of patients around the world.