National Organizations Related to Wound Management

American College of Certified Wound Specialists
The site of the American College of Certified Wound Specialists (ACCWS)contains information for wound care specialists from all disciplines,and strives to promote the role that wound specialists plays in encouraging knowledge and awareness of wound care as a specialty, as well as supporting the influence that these professionals have on health care.

American Professional Wound Care Association
All specialized professionals associated with the treatment of wounds will find a wealth of information on the APWCA’s website. The APWCA is unique in the field of wound care in that its members earn the designation of Fellow, Diplomate or Associate, according to their abilities. It also serves the function of a medical association. Membership is open to members of several disciplines. The APWCA is a non-profit organization.

Association for the Advancement of Wound Care
Unique in nature, the AAWC is a non-profit organization that brings together disparate groups who all have one goal in common; excellence in wound care. Members include patients, caregivers, manufacturers and health care workers whose goals are to “promote excellence in education, clinical practice, research and public policy”. Access to official association journals is provided to association members.

American Academy of Wound Management
The American Academy of Wound Management sets standards for practitioners in obtaining credentialing.Certifications offered include the following: CWS (certified wound specialist), CWCA (certified wound care associate) and CWS-P (certified wound care physician. The AAWM strives to promote excellence in wound care, highlighting research, education and advanced knowledge. The organization is not-for-profit and interdisciplinary.

American Burn Association
As the official publisher of the Journal of Burn Care Rehabilitation, this organization focuses on prevention of burn injuries, as well as education and research within the field of burn care. Members of all disciplines are welcome.

American Podiatric Medical Association
For those practitioners wishing to educate themselves on the subject of diabetic foot ulcers, this website contains information on this subject, as well as invaluable links to the Journal of the American Podiatric Medical Association.

American Physical Therapy Association
Physical therapists play an increasingly important role in wound care. The official site of the APTA offers members access to Medline, as wellas APTA publications. In addition, they offer members the opportunity to participate in continuing education activities that will help members increase their knowledge in the subject of wound care, as well as other subjects pertinent to the practice of physical therapy.

American Diabetes Association
Neuropathic ulcers are just one of the areas of diabetes research on which this website offers information. Interested readers will also find a wealth of information on diabetes, with links to research and journal articles. Both clinicians and patients will find this site useful.

Canadian Wound Care Association

The Canadian Association of Wound Care (CAWC) is a non-profit organisation of healthcare professionals, researchers, corporate supporters, patients and caregivers dedicated to the advancement of wound care in Canada.

National Alliance of Wound Care
Certification of wound care practitioners is the main focus of this website. The website seeks to promote wound care through the advancement of wound care as a specialty. The NAWC is a non-profit organization.

Wound Ostomy Continence Nursing Society
This is the official website for the Wound Ostomy Continence Nursing Society (WOCN). The mission of the WOCN is to promote learning and research in the areas of wound care, ostomy care and incontinence. The site provides links to full text articles in the Journal of WOCN.

National Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel
NPUAP sets the standards for pressure ulcer prevention, and the official site is an excellent resource for information relating to pressure ulcers. The site contains information on advisory panels, education, research and much more. Links are provided to the Agency for Health Care Research and the Health Care Financing Administration. Practitioners from all disciplines will find this site helpful. Educational materials are available through the site, such as an educational wound slide set with an accompanying guide.

Wound Healing Society
The Wound Healing Society is a non-profit organization composed of clinical and basic scientists. The society provides a forum for interaction among scientists, physicians, licensed practitioners,
industrial representatives and government agencies. Membership to the society is open to individuals who have a demonstrated interest in the field of wound healing.