National Alliance of Wound Care® (NAWC®) Announces Winners of the 2009 WCC® Achievement Awards and Scholarship


Glendale Wisconsin, August 10, 2009 - The NAWC Board of Directors is pleased to announce the winners of the third annual WCC® Achievement Awards and Scholarship. The awards and scholarship will be presented in person to the winners at this year’s (WOW) Wild on Wounds Conference being held at the Paris Hotel in Las Vegas September 10-12th.

“The accomplishments of each winner clearly illustrates the passion for wound care our fine group of WCC's share. We want to acknowledge and thank everyone who submitted nominations for this year's awards," said Debbie Hecker Executive Director of the NAWC.

2009 OUTSTANDING RESEARCH IN WOUND CARE award went to Anne Blevins, BSN, RN, WCC, WOCN.
Anne was nominated by Lu Ann Reed RN, MSN, CRRN, RNC, LNHA,WCC. Anne is a clinical nurse specialist at the Drake Center in Cincinnati, Ohio. She has authored and co-authored numerous clinical posters and case studies which have been published in recent issues of wound care journals as well as several wound care conferences, including WOW. Some of her research includes:
  • A presentation titled, Fistula Management from A-Z
  • A research study on Incontinence Dermatitis in a LTACH
  • A co-authored article titled, Options in Negative Pressure Wound Therapy (NPWT)
  • A poster study titled, Fistula Management using a pouch and NPWT
  • A case study titled, A Comparison of Two Collagen Dressings Used on Two Pressure Ulcers on the Same Patient.
  • An upcoming seminar on “Wound Management Strategies”

2009 OUTSTANDING WORK IN DIABETIC WOUNDS award went to Catherine Jackson, RN, BSN, WCC.
Catherine was nominated by Rita Riskus, RN, Director of Nursing at the MacNeal Health Network in Berwyn, IL. In 2008, Catherine developed a community foot screening and education program, where more than 300 people were given one-on-one assistance and prevention education. During that year, Catherine also presented a poster study at Northwestern University, titled, The Effects of Versiva XC on Venous Ulcer Patients. In 2009, working with diabetic educators, endocrinologists, and primary care physicians, Catherine developed a self-care foot program for diabetics. The program has prevented at least five amputations.

2009 WCC® SCHOLARSHIP went to Rebecca Thompson, RN.
Rebecca has been employed with the Heartland Home Care Agency in Oskaloosa, Iowa for three (3) years. She was nominated by Sherri J. Strasko, RN, WCC. Rebecca has consistently shown a strong desire to be involved in wound care cases, and wants to further her education in advanced wound care and become a WCC. While working full-time as an LPN, she also attended classes full-time for her RN. Rebecca recently passed the RN board examination, and her future plans include working toward her BSN. According to Ms. Strasko, Rebecca would be an excellent mentor or educator for other nurses because of her great enthusiasm.

The OUTSTANDING WCC OF THE YEAR award for 2009 went to Shane Pilkington, LOTR, CLT, WCC.
Shane is a long time employee with the Dubuis Health System in Shreveport, Louisiana.  For the last 10 years he has worked in the Outpatient Wound Care Clinic and the Acute Care Hospital.  He was nominated by his co-worker, Mary Turley, LPN, WCC. According to Ms. Turley, “The Dubuis Health System sees the worst of the worst; even physicians from neighboring facilities bring their cases to Dubuis because of Shane”. Education is very important to Shane, as he is always working to improve his knowledge in wound care through seminars, books and articles.

Click here to download a copy of this press release

Contact Information:
Debbie Hecker, RN, MBA, WCC
Executive Director
National Alliance of Wound Care
Toll Free: 1-877-WCC-NAWC ext 704 / 1-877-922-6292 ext 704
Fax: 1-800-352-8339
edirector@nawccb.org

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