The sites and organizations listed below provide resources and support for medical professionals and individuals seeking more information on wound care treatment. Resources are listed alphabetically. Some organizations also offer opportunities for professional certification in wound care and management.

If you have an additional resource or link you would like to add to our list, please contact us.
 

American Board of Wound Management (ABWM)
The American Board of Wound Management (ABWM) is a voluntary, not-for-profit organization established for the purpose of credentialing multi-disciplinary professionals in the field of wound management. ABWM offers the following certifications:

• CWS® (Certified Wound Specialist®)
• CWCA® (Certified Wound Care Associate®)
• CWSP® (Certified Wound Specialist Physician®)

American College of Clinical Wound Specialists (ACCWS)
The American College of Clinical Wound Specialists (ACCWS) is dedicated to the advocacy, ongoing wound care education, and support of credentialed wound care providers of all disciplines. Its members strive to improve the public’s health by practicing and encouraging evidence-based wound care management to promote healing.

Academy of Physicians in Wound Healing (APWH)
The Academy of Physicians in Wound Healing (APWH) is a physician-specific organization in wound care that has been created to meet the needs of the physician in three subject areas: clinical and operations-focused education, compensation advocacy, and legislative action on health care issues. While nurses have had the benefit of nursing-specific organizations to address the needs of the nursing profession, it is the belief of the APWH that physicians have been at a disadvantage in this regard. The APWH is open to all prescribing physicians (MD, DO and DPM).

American Association for Long Term Care Nursing (AALTCN)
The American Association for Long Term Care Nursing (AALTCN) unites all levels of nursing staff to advance excellence in the specialty of long term care nursing. It strives to achieve this by providing relevant education and advocating for long term care nursing.The AALTCN provides services and advocates for all nursing staff: nursing administrators, LPNs, RNs, staff development directors, nursing assistants, assessment coordinators, and nurse practitioners. The AALTCN also provides relevant educational resources that bridge current best practices with managerial and clinical activities. Lastly, the AALTCN advocates for an improved status and voice for long term care nursing staff. The Association encourages respect for long term care nursing staff by informing colleagues and consumers about the complexities, competencies, and commitment of the special caregivers who commit to this specialty.

American Board of Wound Medicine and Surgery (ABWMS)
The American Board of Wound Medicine and Surgery (ABWMS) is an independent, non-profit evaluative organization whose accountability is to the practice of medicine as well as to the public. The Board stands for the highest standards in the management of wounds and has but one objective; to promote and recognize excellence in the care of patients with wounds. The Board of Directors is comprised of physicians who have distinguished themselves in research, education and patient care. The Board is responsible for determining the qualification criteria for examinees as well as the development and administration of the examination itself. The ABWMS certification provides assurance to the public health care consumers that a physician has successfully completed appropriate training, has accumulated the necessary experience in patient care, and has fulfilled the examination and continuing evaluative requirements established by the board.

Association for the Advancement of Wound Care (AAWC)
The Association for the Advancement of Wound Care (AAWC) is a multidisciplinary organization dedicated to the research and clinical application of evidence-based wound care. As a not-for-profit association, AAWC gives numerous benefits to build a collaborative wound care community for optimal care of those who suffer with chronic non-healing wounds.

The Hope of Healing Foundation®
The Hope of Healing Foundation® was founded in 2007 after three independent Cincinnati physicians, each using their own area of expertise, began working cooperatively to prevent amputations and heal wounds that previously may have led to amputation. The mission of the foundation is to educate the public and medical professionals about, and advocate for, methods of preventing amputations and promoting wound healing.

National Alliance of Wound Care and Ostomy® (NAWCO®)
The National Alliance of Wound Care and Ostomy® (NAWCO®) is a non-profit organization, governed by a voluntary board of directors. NAWCO®, through its credentialing board, offers the WCC®, DWC®, OMS and LLE℠ certifications.

National Association of Directors of Nursing Administration in Long Term Care (NADONA/LTC)
Since 1986, the National Association of Directors of Nursing Administration in Long Term Care (NADONA/LTC) has been a leading advocate and educational organization for DONs, ADONs and RNs (in management positions and/or serving as Director of Nursing Services, Nurse Administrator, VP of Clinical Services, Consultants, Nurse Educators, MDS Nurses, Staff Development, Transitional Care Nurse, Infection Prevention Nurses or any RN that has previously served in a role equivalent to DON or ADON) in Long Term Care (LTC). NADONA/LTC was founded by dedicated LTC professionals, and its board of trustees still consists of LTC professionals.

National Association for Home Care & Hospice (NAHC)
The National Association for Home Care & Hospice (NAHC) is a leading professional association representing the interests of chronically ill, disabled, and dying Americans of all ages and the caregivers who provide them with in-home health and hospice services.

Wound Care Advisor
Wound Care Advisor is a site for healthcare professionals dealing with chronic wounds and ostomy management issues.  Offerings include news, peer-reviewed articles, wound care product information, provider/patient education and practical resources.

Wound Care Institute (WCI)
The Wound Care Institute (WCI) is a tax-exempt, non-profit organization involved in the advancement of wound healing and diabetic foot care. Educational seminars, research studies, educational grants, a speaker’s bureau, preceptorship programs and patient literature are some of the WCI’s goals. This organization is not financially supported by any wound care product manufacturing company or publishing company. It exists solely on the donations of concerned persons and companies.

Wound, Ostomy and Continence Nurses Society™ (WOCN®)
The Wound, Ostomy and Continence Nurses Society™ (WOCN®) is a professional, international nursing society of more than 5,000 health care professionals who are experts in the care of patients with wound, ostomy and incontinence. The WOCN® Society supports its members by promoting educational, clinical and research opportunities to advance the practice and guide the delivery of expert health care to individuals with wounds, ostomies and incontinence.

WoundSource
WoundSource.com is the digital companion to WoundSource – an annual wound care product reference guide that includes over 1,600 products manufactured by over 200 wound care companies. WoundSource.com provides articles, blogs by industry thought leaders, white papers and other educational resources for wound care professionals.