Conference Connection: 2013 SAWC Spring/WHS

Abstract Award Winners Announced for SAWC 2013

  Officials with HMP Communications Holdings, LLC, Malvern, PA, have announced the abstract award winners for the upcoming Symposium on Advanced Wound Care (SAWC) Spring/Wound Healing Society conference to be held May 1-5 in Denver, CO.   Abstracts were selected from more than 350 submissions and blind-scored by a panel of 24 judges, all of whom are experts in wound care. The 2013 abstract winners are:   Highest Scoring Oral Abstracts (first authors listed only)     • 1st place – Inflammation in Diabetic Foot Ulcers, Nanjin Park, DPM     • 2nd place – Debridement of Venous Leg Ulcers with Low Frequency, High Intensity, Contact Ultrasound: Results of a Randomized Clinical Outcome Trial, Martin Wendelken, DPM, RN     • 3rd place – Re-amputation After Minor Foot Amputation in Diabetic Patients: Risk Factors Leading to Limb Loss, Vincent Nerone, DPM PGY-III.   Young Investigators     • Nanjin Park, DPM     • Edwin P. Monroy, PT, DPT, CLT, SCI/D     • Claudia Chavez-Munoz, MD, PhD Highest Scoring Poster in Category (first authors listed only)     • Case Study – Use of Cyanoacrylate-Based Skin Barrier in Protection of Skin Around Tracheostomy, Martha Fjelde Ondrejko, BSN, RN, CWOCN     • Laboratory Research – Modular Biocompatible In-vivo Bioreactor for Tissue Engineering, Claudia Chavez-Munoz, PhD, MD     • Information/Educational Report – Barriers and Facilitators to Evidence-based Pressure Ulcer Prevention and Treatment for Hospital Inpatients, Toba Miller, RN, MScN, MHA, GNC(C), CETN(C)     • Clinical Research – An Assessment of Sacral Pressures in Two Seated Positions, Stephannie Miller, BA.   HMP Communications Holdings is a collaborative formed by HMP Communications, LLC and North American Center for Continuing Medical Education, LLC.

SAWC Spring/WHS 2013 Supports Wounded US Soldiers

  Thousands of US soldiers who have been injured in the line of duty will benefit from the continued support of those who organize, host, and attend the annual Symposium on Advanced Wound Care (SAWC) Spring and Wound Healing Society (WHS) conference to be held May 1-5 at the Colorado Convention Center in Denver.   Proceeds from the SAWC’s “Gives Back” Program, an initiative launched in conjunction with HMP Communications Holdings, LLC companies North American Center for Continuing Medical Education, LLC and HMP Communications, LLC (publisher of Today’s Wound Clinic) in 2012 to honor the work and dedication of some of the industry’s most exceptional wound care clinicians, will be donated to the Wounded Warrior Project™ (WWP), a nonprofit organization that provides support to injured US service members.   More than 47,000 servicemen and women have been injured in recent military conflicts, according to WWP officials. In addition to their physical wounds, it is estimated as many as 400,000 service members live with the “invisible” wounds of war including combat-related stress, major depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder. Another 320,000 are believed to have experienced a traumatic brain injury while on deployment. WWP’s 18 programs and services are uniquely structured to nurture the mind and body and encourage economic empowerment and engagement for US soldiers in need. Helping this worthy cause is as easy as registering for the event.   Nearly 2,500 wound care providers are expected to attend SAWC Spring/WHS 2013, SAWC officials said. For more information on the WWP, visit www.woundedwarriorproject.org.

‘Gives Back’ Program Grants New Scholarships

  The North American Center for Continuing Medical Education, LLC, the continuing education sponsor of the Symposium on Advanced Wound Care (SAWC) Spring/Wound Healing Society conference, will honor six new scholarship recipients as part of the SAWC’s “Gives Back” program in Denver, CO, May 1-5.   Launched in April 2012 in conjunction with SAWC and HMP Communications, LLC (publisher of Today’s Wound Clinic), the program has honored nine previous winners who are selected by prominent wound care groups such as the Association for the Advancement of Wound Care, the American Podiatric Association, and the American Physical Therapy Association’s Clinical Electrophysiology & Wound Management Section (APTA-CEWM). The SAWC scholarship program now honors candidates in six categories. The 2013 spring scholarship winners are:     • Wound Healing Research – Susan R. Opalenik, PhD     • Wound Healing Fellow – Devn Frandsen, DO     • Wound Care Physician – Humberto J. Villalvazo, MD     • Wound Care Nursing – Jessica Browning, LPN     • Wound Care Therapist – Stephanie Woelfel-Dyess PT, MPT, CWS, FACCWS     • Wound Care Podiatrist – Andrew Belpedio, DPM.    “The SAWC scholarship program is a way to thank the many clinical specialists, their societies, and associations who advocate for optimal care and treatments for patients with wounds,” said Jeremy Bowden, vice president/group publisher of the Wound Care Division at HMP Communications. The winners will be recognized at SAWC’s annual spring VIP party on May 2 at the Denver Convention Center.

SAWC Spring/WHS Offers Industry-Supported Symposia

  Each year, the Symposium on Advanced Wound Care (SAWC) and Wound Healing Society (WHS) meeting offers attendees the opportunity attend industry-supported symposia that complement and enhance the information being presented throughout the main symposium. The following is a list of symposia, both accredited and non-accredited (times and event info are subject to change): Non-Accredited   May 1 (Dinner: 6 p.m.–7:30 p.m.)   The Role of Collagenase SANTYL Ointment in Wound Bed Preparation   May 2 (Lunch: 12:30 p.m.–2 p.m.)     1) The Future of Tissue Regeneration: Scientific and Clinical Evidence Supporting the Use of Dehydrated Amniotic Membrane in Wound Healing     2) Biofilm and Wound Care: Understanding Biofilm’s Impact on Chronic Nonhealing Wounds   May 3 (Breakfast: 7:30 a.m.–9 a.m.)   Dermagraft® for the Treatment of Nonhealing Diabetic Foot Ulcers   May 4 (Breakfast: 7:30 a.m.–9 a.m.)   OASIS® Matrix Wound Management – A Sophisticated Structure for Challenging Wounds Accredited   May 2 (Lunch: 12:30 p.m.–1 p.m.; Educational Session: 1 p.m.-2 p.m.)     1) Demystifying Debridement Modalities: An Interdisciplinary Panel Perspective     2) Patient-Centered Approaches to Managing Diabetic Foot Ulcers   May 3 (Breakfast: 7:30 a.m.-8 a.m.; Educational Session: 8 a.m.-9 a.m.)     1) An Interactive Case-Based Model to Managing Diabetic Foot Ulcers: The Role of Platelet-Derived Growth Factor     2) A Multi-Faceted Expert’s Approach to Managing Venous Disease and Venous Leg Ulcers   May 4 (Breakfast: 7:30 a.m.-8 a.m.; Educational Session: 8 a.m.-9 a.m.)   Clinical Implications of Un-modulated pH Within the Wound Environment and the Effects of Active Leptospermum Honey on Surface pH of Chronic Wounds   Additionally, SAWC Spring/WHS 2013 will feature industry-supported, complimentary, accredited educational programs that take place during the main symposium. These educational activities are open to all SAWC attendees and pre-registration is not required:   May 3 (Interactive Educational Session: 4:45 p.m.-5:45 p.m.)   Patient-Centered Approaches to Managing Nonhealing, Chronic Wounds: Novel Uses of Mechanically Powered NPWT Systems   May 4 (Interactive Educational Session: 3:30 p.m.-4:30 p.m.) Today’s Science is Tomorrow’s New Treatment Option: Emerging Cell-Based Therapy for Difficult-to-Heal Wounds.   For more information, visit www.sawcspring.com.

2nd Annual AAWC Celebration To Be Held At SAWC

  The Association For The Advancement of Wound Care (AAWC) is planning its second annual membership meeting and auction at the Symposium on Advanced Wound Care (SAWC) Spring/Wound Healing Society conference May 1–5 in Denver, CO. The celebration is scheduled for May 3 from 5 p.m.-7 p.m. All auction proceeds will benefit the AAWC’s scholarship fund.   The event will include a live auction complete with auctioneer, as well as a silent auction. Attendees are invited to participate in the planning by donating items or reaching out to contacts and local businesses for contributions. Themed gift baskets are also welcome, as are product/service donations from industry representatives and tax-deductible cash donations. AAWC members will receive a special gift for attending the celebration, along with a chance to win valuable door prizes. For more information, contact Lyn Donze at ldonze@aawconline.org. Donations to the silent auction are needed by March 31.

Plans Released for SAWC Fall 2013

  Wound care providers interested in attending the annual SAWC Fall conference can begin to make their travel arrangements for the next event.   SAWC Fall 2013 will be held Sept. 27-29 at Bally’s Las Vegas in Nevada and offer up to 40 new clinical sessions as well as a major exhibition of products and services for wound care professionals.   SAWC officials said they remain committed to providing the highest level of clinical education and information to physicians, podiatrists, nurses, physical therapists, and allied health professionals dedicated to the advancement of wound care and healing. On the heels of the successes that the four annual fall meetings have shown, the fifth conference is also expected to be remembered for its ability to connect providers of various healthcare settings, members of government agencies that regulate care, and multiple overarching organizations working toward a common goal to decrease the number and severity of chronic wounds.   For more information, visit www.sawcfall.com.