From the Top: The AAWC — Strong, Responsive, and Growing

  Not many organizations can boast a 60% increase in membership in just over a 2-year period. Welcome to the AAWC!

  I am proud to announce AAWC membership is its highest ever, with more than 2,300 members. Because we need to continue to grow, I ask all OWM readers to lend their support. Your membership will help the AAWC further its mission and complete its goals — satisfaction guaranteed or your money back! With automatic subscriptions to two monthly journals, discounts on conferences, and reduced rates on books and other products, the AAWC brings you a return on investment greater than the modest cost of joining. A general individual membership is a tax-deductible $115. Lower rates apply for students, retirees, and VA/military healthcare workers.

  We understand your dollars are important, and we use our members’ contributions wisely. When economic challenges affected our membership beginning in 2007, we responded in several ways. Among our most accommodating changes was to reduce dues while committing to increasing value. To meet that challenge, we have continued with a reduced rate for clinicians that is more than 20% lower than it was a few years ago. With the help of our dedicated volunteers, partners, and staff, we have provided new programs and additional benefits — all of which you will read about in the upcoming pages. For a snapshot of the AAWC’s benefits, see page 49.

  The AAWC prides itself on having something for everyone. If you ask a long-time member why he/she has stayed with the AAWC (in some cases, even after retirement), often the response includes not just the savings, programs, or benefits, but also the collaborative community that so many enjoy. Many members refer to the AAWC as their wound care family. However, you will define your membership in AAWC in your own way by utilizing your choices from among the many educational, support, and networking opportunities membership affords.

  I personally welcome you to this one-of-a-kind organization that is focused on you and your wound care needs. I am grateful to be able to recognize and express my appreciation to our current members, board members, volunteers, staff, collaborating organizations, and corporate partners for their abounding contributions to our ongoing success.

  Kind regards,
  Tina Thomas, Executive Director