AAWC Update

The AAWC Annual Report Released

  The AAWC Annual Report was released to members at the end of August and was added to the Association’s homepage for public viewing. If you are not a member, please consider joining to stay in the know all year and take advantage of our many benefits, including discounts, educational tools, members-only programs, and networking and leadership opportunities.

  Excerpts from the AAWC Annual Report included the following announcements.

  Gratitude and worthwhile endeavors. AAWC President Vickie R. Driver, MS, DPM, FACFAS (2014–2016) thanked the entire organization, including members, volunteers, staff, and Board of Directors and explained a few of the Association’s programs and strategic goals. One goal involves consolidating efforts among societies so wound care professionals and government agencies have one set of resources to utilize. These resources will be crafted by united development teams who are supported by tens of thousands of professional organizational members. Dr. Driver also noted that with the approach of the 20th anniversary in 2015, the AAWC is evaluating the development and support of efforts that will help effect change in clinical practice and prove some important points to the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), such as clinical end points important for product approvals and development of coverage policies. In addition, the AAWC will have its own track of sessions at SAWC Spring 2015 in San Antonio, TX. The new AAWC Clinical Practice Track will provide evidence-based, patient-centered, interdisciplinary, practical information clinicians can share with decision makers and colleagues after the conference. This track will cover not only what to do to grow wound care as a professional practice and career, but also how to empower the learner with knowledge about the way to do it.

  Membership growth. Tina Thomas, Executive Director of AAWC, who has been working with the organization for more than 15 years, expressed pride for the 60% growth of membership in just over 3 years; membership for patients, lay-caregivers, and any lay-person advocate is free for life. Thomas highlighted the Association’s reputation of providing something for everyone and emphasized that every member makes a difference to AAWC’s success.

  Fiscal soundness. Treasurer Heather Hettrick, PT, PhD, CWS, CLT, CLWT, noted that the AAWC started 2014 strong and detailed information on the Association’s accounts, revenues and expenditures. The Association undergoes a financial audit every year; the audited 2013 financial statements will be available by November 15.

  The Annual Report included information about the AAWC’s international ties to the European Wound Management Association (EWMA) and the Australian Wound Management Association (AWMA). Jan Apelqvist, MD, PhD, noted these initial collaborations led to the 2014 publication, Managing Wounds as a Team, available online at: www.journalofwoundcare.com/resources.

  Task forces and committees. The AAWC Guidelines Task Force Report described the creation of clinical guidelines for wound infection and diabetic foot ulcers. These “guidelines of guidelines” are developed by synthesizing all recommendations from major relevant guidelines. Independent multidisciplinary content validation is part of the process and ensures the clinical relevance of each recommendation. These guidelines are available free of charge from the AAWC Resources webpage, which can be accessed from the top of the AAWC’s Professional Resources section.

  The AAWC Healthcare Public Policy Committee (formerly the AAWC Regulatory Committee) has worked to keep abreast of legislative and policy changes at the FDA and the CMS, as well as technical reviews conducted by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ). Alerts on a variety of policy and coverage issues are provided on the home page of the AAWC website.

  In addition, inspirational letters from 2013 AAWC Scholarship winners were provided about their education and travel grants. Additional opportunities to volunteer overseas through the AAWC Global Volunteers program were highlighted.

  These are only a few selected highlights from the Annual Report. Visit the AAWC homepage, www.aawconline.org, to read the AAWC Annual Report and learn about all of the accomplishments that occurred in the last year and what is to come.

AAWC Career Center – A Valuable Professional Tool

  The AAWC Career Center is free to persons exploring new job opportunities. This resource not only provides the opportunity to post CVs and search for new positions, but also includes a “saved search” feature, allowing job seekers to receive daily updates about new jobs that match saved search criteria. Resume and cover letter tips, interview strategies, networking advice, and negotiating tactics also are featured. The AAWC Career Center also provides free advice about taking a proactive role in annual performance reviews, seeking out promotions, and how to balance work and life. For more information, visit www.aawconline.org/careers-in-wound-care/.

  Employers can save time and money on recruitment. With nearly 2,300 members and thousands of other specialized site visitors, the AAWC’s Career Center offers the most highly targeted advertising for wound care related job openings. AAWC members save 50% or more on job postings, a minimum of $100 in savings. Rates are lower than other venues. The Career Center is easy to use, and job ads usually post online within 20 to 30 minutes. A resume database allows employers to search for qualified candidates. Employers can receive help with government compliance, have access to job posting tips, and are able to reference other valuable employer-related resources as needed. As an added service at no charge, the AAWC will share employer postings on Facebook and LinkedIn.

  Register to view a demo at www.careers.aawconline.org/employers at no charge before posting ads online. Please visit this link www.careers.aawconline.org/rates for package explanations and rates.

The 2014 AAWC Wound Care Clinic Directory is now available.

  Provided in PDF format to members, the directory offers information on stand-alone clinics or centers, private office facilities, hospitals, and home healthcare organizations. The more than 900 listings include valuable contact information (facility name, director name, address, phone, fax, email, website, and type of clinic/center). The reasonably priced directory can be purchased as a PDF or Excel versions on the AAWC Online Store. The free PDF version is a benefit of AAWC membership; however, members also can receive a discount on the Excel file, and this discount more than covers the cost of dues.

AAWC Acknowledges Corporate Sponsors

  Get to know the AAWC and the benefits of partnership. Corporate support is the AAWC’s second highest revenue source (second to membership dues); every dollar helps sustain valuable programs and services for the wound care community. Many Corporate benefits are provided all year based on level of support, including the exclusive opportunity for industry sponsors to meet with AAWC Board Members in the Corporate Advisory Panel (CAP). The CAP allows close interaction with AAWC officers as well as other key wound care industry leaders. The Panel meets quarterly to collaborate on mutual concerns and issues including education, public awareness, and government/regulatory affairs. The AAWC reciprocates corporate dedication with free seminars for all industry representatives attending SAWC. At SAWC Fall, the Industry Seminar will be presented by Terry Treadwell, MD, FACS and is entitled, “Comparative Effectiveness Studies: Good, Bad, or Terrible!”

  This year’s AAWC Corporate Sponsors (Bronze, Silver, and Gold level) include 3M, KCI, Mölnlycke Health Care, Organogenesis, Smith & Nephew, and Smith & Nephew Biotherapeutics. The AAWC extends appreciation to the 2014 sponsors. Please visit the AAWC Corporate Sponsor page at www.aawconline.org/corporate-sponsors/ to view our supporters.

  The Association’s 2015 sponsorship campaign is underway, and companies are invited to join. Please contact the AAWC by email at kstrauss@aawconline.org or by calling (800) 237-7285, extension 113, for more information and/or to become a sponsor.

AAWC Elections

  All members are asked to watch their inboxes in early October regarding the 2015 AAWC Board of Directors Election. In the meantime, please consider who you would like to nominate.

  About the AAWC: As the leading organization dedicated to interprofessional wound healing and tissue preservation, the AAWC’s mission is to advance the care of people with and at risk for wounds. Be sure to join us for near daily updates updates and alerts on Facebook and LinkedIn.

  This article was not subject to the Ostomy Wound Management peer-review process.