AAWC Update

Best Wishes for a Happy New Year!

  In 2015, the Association for the Advancement of Wound Care (AAWC) is celebrating its 20th Anniversary.   Reflecting on its history and looking eagerly toward the future, the AAWC recognizes and appreciates members who have helped us accomplish the goals of the past, are instrumental in developing current goals, and will help with strategic plans in the years to come. This year, the Association is working on the following plans and goals:
    • Developing new clinical end points that are meaningful to patients by working with the US Food and Drug Administration and other organizations
    • Consolidating clinical guidelines among societies
    • Providing the AAWC Clinical Practice Track at the Symposium on Advanced Wound Care (SAWC) Spring and unique sessions on speaker training, research posters, and global volunteering at SAWC Fall. (Members receive a 20% membership discount to the meetings.)
    • Continuing the creation of diabetic foot and infection control guidelines and educational brochures
    • Awarding educational scholarships through the Annual Scholarship Program
    • Giving additional scholarships and travel funding through the Scholarship and Global Volunteers Programs
    • Planning the AAWC’s 20th Anniversary Membership Meeting: “Help Shape Our Field”.

2014 AAWC Scholarship Program Winners

  The AAWC Scholarship Program offers opportunities for AAWC members to obtain financial support for worthy endeavors that are in line with the organization’s mission. The AAWC proudly announces the 2014 AAWC Scholarship Program Winners:

  Pamela Cole, MSPT, CWS received a $1,190.00 Travel/Exchange Award. Ms. Cole will use this award to continue to execute a plan she devised with her medical director and nurse in charge of wound care education to develop their interventions at Hospital Albert Schweitzer in Deschapelles, Haiti.

  Bonnie Ferrell, RN, BSN, CWOCN was awarded a $1,000.00 Education/Teaching Award. Ms. Ferrell is enrolled in the Family Nurse Practitioner at Regis University in Denver, CO. Her goal is to enhance her CWOCN practice by becoming a Family Nurse Practitioner.

  Rose Hamm, PT, DPT, CWS, FAACWS received a $2,500.00 Education/Teaching Award. Dr. Hamm plans on attending a program in Kenya to educate in that area. In addition to the education component, a team will deliver purchased or donated supplies for the wound care clinic.

  Randall Cook, MD, FACS, CWSP, ABPM/UHM will receive the Robert A. Warriner MD III Memorial Award in the amount of $1,000.00. Dr. Cook was presented this award for exhibiting the principles, ideals, mentorship, character, ethical standards, and professionalism exemplified by Dr. Warriner.

  Applications for 2015 will be accepted May 1 through August 31. Guidelines and application forms are available at www.aawconline.org/scholarships.

AAWC 2015 Board of Directors Elections

  All AAWC members are asked to watch their inboxes beginning in early February regarding the 2015 AAWC Board of Directors Election. The AAWC Nominating Committee has developed a remarkable slate of eligible candidates and cannot stress enough how important it is for members to take the time to vote. Please remember every vote counts and offers the chance to determine the future leadership of the organization. Elections close February 22. Elected board members will attend the biannual Board of Directors Meetings and will officially take office at the AAWC Membership Meeting at SAWC Spring. The conference will be held April 30 to May 3, 2015 at the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center in San Antonio, TX.

  Ostomy Wound Management sadly acknowledges the passing of Joann Maklebust, DNP, MSN, RN, ACNS BC, AOCN. An international pressure ulcer expert and author of several books and many articles, Joann was a founding member of the National Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel and a recipient of its Lifetime Achievement Award. Among her many credentials, Joann earned her Doctor of Nursing Practice degree just last year at age 80. The nursing and wound care world lost one of the especially good ones.

  AAWC is the largest, not-for-profit membership organization in the United States dedicated to interprofessional wound healing and tissue preservation. AAWC’s mission is to advance the care of people with and at risk for wounds. The Association’s focus is on education, public policy, and the application of evidence-based wound care practice. AAWC offers membership and associated benefits to everyone involved in wound care, including clinicians and other healthcare professionals, patients, lay-caregivers, clinics/facilities, corporations, students, retirees, and advocates. Learn more about financial and other benefits, activities and programs, and/or join at www.aawconline.org.

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