VCU Health System hosts wound care educational conference

By Malorie Burkett

The Virginia Commonwealth University Health System recently hosted its largest conference ever, “Stepping Stones to Excellence in Wound Care.”

Sponsored by the Department of Education and Professional Development and the VCU Health System wound care team, the conference was designed to provide nurses, nurse practitioners, physical therapists and other health care providers the opportunity to learn about advances in wound care and to discuss the treatment of acute and chronic wounds.

Annette Wysocki, Ph.D., R.N., nurse researcher from the University of Mississippi who has done extensive study on wound healing, was a featured speaker during a special breakfast session. Wysocki presented information on her research, which includes collagen and cell migration, noise stress and wound healing.

The conference also featured guest faculty speakers, including Therese Duane, M.D., Department of Trauma and Critical Care Surgery; Andrea Pozez, M.D, chair and professor of surgery in the Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, and medical director of the wound care team; and Tom Smith, M.D., chair of the Division of Hematology/Oncology in the VCU’s Department of internal medicine.

In addition, participants were able to attend workshops, meet with various exhibitors and view poster presentations related to skin and wound care from evidence-based practice.

Participants from Virginia, Hawaii, New York, Tennessee and the Netherlands were among the conference attendees as well as representatives from the National Institutes of Health.