Beehind the Scenes with Katherine Turner

In the tropics of Far North Queensland, Katherine Turner is quietly transforming lives through her home-based lymphedema and lipoedema care practice. What began as a deeply personal mission has evolved into a powerful example of what’s possible when clinical expertise meets a passion for advocacy and the right technology.

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A personal calling

A registered nurse with decades of experience, Katherine was inspired to specialize in lymphedema care after her twin sister developed the condition following breast cancer treatment. “She kept telling me there weren’t enough therapists,” Katherine shares. “Eventually, I realized I could be part of the solution.”

That moment was a turning point. Drawing from her early nursing days where she’d seen the long-term effects of untreated swelling and tissue damage firsthand, Katherine found a renewed purpose. She underwent specialized training and became a certified lymphedema practitioner, stepping into a niche where demand far outweighed supply.

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Balancing clinical passion with operational know-how

Katherine’s path hasn’t been limited to patient care. With a background in healthcare IT and operations management, she brings a rare blend of clinical insight and technical savvy to her work. Before going full time with her private practice, she served as an operations manager at a local cancer wellness center while simultaneously growing her lymphedema clinic.

“It was a psychosocial model—less hands-on nursing, more about holistic care. I loved that,” she explains. Her time there helped hone her understanding of what a smooth, client-centered system should look like.

As referrals increased and clients began to find her through word of mouth, Katherine made the leap into full-time private practice. Today, she runs her clinic solo from home—no staff, no front desk, just Katherine and her patients.

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Finding the right fit with Zanda

Like many practitioners building a practice from the ground up, Katherine tried a few different software systems before discovering Zanda. “I don’t even remember the name of the one I was using before,” she laughs. “But the calendar was clunky, the system was basic, and I couldn’t tailor it to what I needed.”

Her IT background gave her a clear wishlist: customizable templates, easy scheduling, and integrated communication tools. Zanda delivered.

“Zanda is easy, intuitive, and pleasant to look at. You don’t have to click through five screens just to do one task.”

One unexpected feature that won her over? SMS messaging. “I turned it on without realizing, and suddenly clients were texting me,” she recalls. “Once I figured it out, it became an essential tool, especially for clients who have memory issues from chemo or chronic illness.”

The automated reminders have reduced no-shows and empowered her clients to manage appointments on their own terms.

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Customizing care and creating efficiency

As a solo practitioner, efficiency isn’t optional. Katherine relies heavily on customizable templates in Zanda to maintain a consistent onboarding and note-taking workflow. She’s designed her own assessment forms, health surveys, and flags specific to her niche conditions, lymphedema and lipoedema.

“I tag my clients based on their condition and use different colors to flag lymphedema vs. lipoedema. That way, I know exactly what kind of appointment I’m walking into.”

She also integrates external General Practice (GP) referrals into her notes and uses Zanda reporting features to track finances and client patterns over time.

“It makes me feel like I’m running a clinic, not just seeing clients,” she says.

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Empowering clients through automation

One of Katherine’s favorite aspects of Zanda is how it shifts responsibility back onto the client in a supportive, accessible way.

“When clients can book themselves, reschedule, or get reminders, it helps them take control of their care, especially those dealing with cognitive or emotional fatigue. That independence is healing.”

She’s particularly mindful of clients with chronic illnesses, such as cancer survivors or those with long-term disabilities, and appreciates how a simple automated text can make the difference between a missed appointment and a successful treatment.

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Advocacy beyond the clinic

Katherine’s commitment to the lymphedema community goes far beyond her day-to-day practice. She currently serves as the President of the Australasian Lymphology Association, the peak body supporting lymphedema and lipoedema professionals across Australia and New Zealand.

Her leadership has focused on addressing the inequities in compression garment coverage and access, especially for patients in remote or humid regions like Queensland. “Compression is critical, but it’s expensive, and the regulations differ across states. I joined the board to advocate for better support.”

Her presidency is a continuation of her philosophy: don’t just treat the problem, solve it at the source.

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Katherine’s pro tip for practitioners

“Don’t underestimate the power of small efficiencies. When you’re on your own, having one system that does it all: calendar, communication, notes, and reports, means you get to focus on care, not admin.”

Katherine’s advice to fellow clinicians is to start small, use what you need, and grow from there. “Zanda is flexible. You don’t have to use everything at once, but when you’re ready, it’s all there.”

And if you’re just starting your own journey into private practice?

“You can make Zanda what you need. It grows with you.”