Following the death of her husband, Thomas, from Lymphedema, Jennifer enrolled at ETSU in 2008. Since then, she has founded the Thomas Hovatter Lymphedema Foundation; created a Lymphedema Awareness Day, had the State of Tennessee designate the third week of June as Lymphedema Awareness Week; organized a local support group for patients and their families and is now lobbying congress to improve insurance coverage for lymphedema treatment.
Recently, her work was highlighted in an article that was carried nationally by the Associated Press.
Her success comes as no surprise to her class-mates. While a student in the college of public health, Jennifer was actively involved in encouraging her fellow students and faculty to learn more about the condition. Her work was recently highlighted in an article in the East Tennessean newspaper: http://www.easttennessean.com/the-scene/alumnus-pursues-higher-education-in-honor-of-husband-1.3164849#.U2QYSfldV8E While a student, she was active in the Public Health Student Association and received the "Unsung Hero" award during the College's annual student awards ceremony.
For more information about Jennifer or her work, visit lymphedematreatmentact.org or contact Jennifer at hovatter@etsu.edu or by phone (423) 341-5737. Jennifer is now pursuing advanced training in psychology.
