Co-Chair

Dot Weir

RN, CWON, CWS
Clinician
Holland Hospital

Dot has been practicing in the specialty of wound and ostomy care for over 4 decades. She has practiced in acute care, home care and long-term care, spent 7 years in industry, and has practiced in outpatient care since 2001. She has been Board Certified by the Wound, Ostomy and Continence Nurses Certification Board since 1985 and The American Board of Wound Management since 2004. She has authored and co-authored numerous papers and consensus documents, and 14 book chapters. She is the Co-Chair of the Symposium on Advanced Wound Care, was part of the founding faculty for the Wound Certification Prep Course, is a committe member of the International Wound Infection Institute, and works as a Consultant and Educator and lives in Holland, Michigan. She works part time at the Wound Healing and Hyperbaric Medicine Clinic at Holland Hospital.

2026 Sessions

Accredited Industry-Supported Workshop: Hands-On Negative Pressure Wound Therapy Workshop: Integrating Innovation, Evidence, and Practical Strategies Across the Care Continuum

HMP Education has designated an unrestricted grant from Solventum, Medical Surgical Business for this session.<br><br>
<b>Learning objectives:</b><br>
• Review the latest advancements and indication updates in negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT), including the clinical applications of disposable NPWT, NPWT with instillation, closed-incision NPWT, and peel-and-place dressing technologies.<br>
• Describe the function and clinical advantages of advanced multi-lumen pressure sensing technology in NPWT systems, with a focus on improving efficiency through real-time troubleshooting, blockage detection, maintenance of target pressure, and consistent therapy delivery.<br>
• Analyze case-based scenarios demonstrating use of the NPWT toolkit, including therapy selection, treatment progression, and step-down approaches that support wound and incision closure.<br>
• Examine best practices for transitioning patients across care settings while maintaining continuity, adherence, and optimal outcomes with negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT).<br>
• Explore wound management and surgical site complication prevention strategies for advocating for appropriate NPWT technologies through clinical evidence, while reviewing key reimbursement considerations that impact access and utilization in clinical practice.

ISS Speaker

Thursday, October 15 8:00–12:00 PM
Room Milano 1
Industry-Supported Workshop
Faculty

Karen Bauer

DNP, CWS, FAAWC
Nurse Practitioner
George Washington University Hospital

Dr. Karen Bauer is a Wound Certified and Vascular Surgery Nurse Practitioner. She graduated with a B.A. in Sociology from the University of Toledo, an M.S. from The Ohio State University and a Doctorate of Nursing Practice from The University of Toledo. She has been practicing as a wound practitioner for over 19 years and in vascular surgery for over 8 years. She currently practices at George Washington university Hospital. Karen has extensive leadership experience, most recently at Emory University in the Division of Vascular Surgery as the Limb Preservation Coordinator. She was previously the Director of Wound and Vascular Services and Lead APP at the University of Toledo Medical Center in the Division of Vascular Surgery and concurrently as the Program Director at a rural wound center in Wauseon, Ohio, where she practiced for over 13 years.

She is the immediate past-President of the Society for Vascular Nursing and a long-time Board Member and Fellow of the AAWC. She is a Board Member of the Save a Leg Save a Life Foundation and the Alliance of Wound Care Stakeholders. Karen participates on the American Heart Association’s Peripheral Artery Disease National Action Plan Steering Committee and is an editorial reviewer for many scientific journals. She serves on numerous national committees and lectures regionally, nationally, and internationally. She is also a published writer.

Faculty

Kara Couch

MS, CRNP, CWCN-AP, FAAWC
Director, Wound Care Services
George Washington University Hospital

Ms. Couch graduated with her Master of Science in Nursing (FNP) from Georgetown University in 2002.  Currently, she works as the Director of Wound Care Services at The George Washington University Hospital in Washington DC.    She is an Associate Research Professor of Surgery at the School of Medicine and Health Sciences at George Washington University.  Her wound care interests include caring for persons with limb loss/limb differences, complex abdominal wounds and use of technology in wound healing.
Ms.  Couch is the current Vice-Chair of the Alliance of Wound Care Stakeholders and the President of the Association for the Advancement of Wound Care (AAWC).  Kara is a Fellow of the Association of the Advancement of Wound Care.  She is an editorial board member of the Journal of Wound Management, the International Wound Journal and WoundSource 2025.   Kara is the co-chair of the Wound Care Community for the American Association of Nurse Practitioners.  She is a member of the Prophylactic Dressing Standards Initiative, a joint collaboration between the National Pressure Injury Advisory Panel and European Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel.

Faculty

Cyaandi Dove

DPM
Director of the Diabetes Foot Program
Harold Schnitzer Diabetes Health Center, Oregon Health & Science University

Dr. Dove is the Director of Clinical Research at the Department of Orthopaedics, Division of Podiatry at UT Health Science San Antonio. Dr. Dove has served as a Principal Investigator in over 50 clinical trials, over the past twenty years. She is currently establishing a research program, in which her colleagues, residents and students will be actively engaged.

She earned the Degree of Doctor of Podiatric Medicine at California College of Podiatric Medicine in San Francisco, CA, She also completed her Post Graduate Training at The University of Texas, Health Science Center in San Antonio, Texas under the tutelage of Dr. Lawrence Harkless. She completed a surgical fellowship at North General Hospital, in New York, NY.

Dr. Dove was previously in private practice in Las Vegas. Her private practice combined industry sponsored research and general podiatry, with a focus on wound care. Before opening her practice, Dr. Dove was the director of podiatry at the Diabetic foot and Ankle Center - Hospital for Joint Disease - NYU. Concurrently, she served as the sub-investigator for multiple Phase I-IV clinical trials.

Dr. Dove has multiple publications, including the Lancet and other peer-reviewed journals.

Faculty

Megan Oltmann

DPM, FACFAS
Head of Podiatric Surgery and Wound Care, Lorraine and Bill Dodero Limb Preservation Center

Assistant Professor of Orthopedic Surgery
University Hospitals, Cleveland Medical Center

Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine

Megan L. Oltmann, DPM, FACFAS is the Head of Podiatric Surgery and Wound Care at the Bill and Lorraine Dodero Limb Preservation Center at University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center and Medical Director of the University Hospitals Twinsburg Wound Care Center. She is an Assistant Professor of Orthopedics at Case Western Reserve University, core faculty for the University Hospitals Podiatric Surgery Residency Program, and Adjunct Clinical and Surgical Faculty at Kent State University College of Podiatric Medicine. Dr. Oltmann lectures nationally on limb preservation, wound care, and reconstructive foot and ankle surgery and is a Diplomate of the American Board of Foot and Ankle Surgeons and Fellow of the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons. She is also a co-author of the bestselling book Chronicles of Women in White Coats 3.

Co-Chair

Dot Weir

RN, CWON, CWS
Clinician
Holland Hospital

Dot has been practicing in the specialty of wound and ostomy care for over 4 decades. She has practiced in acute care, home care and long-term care, spent 7 years in industry, and has practiced in outpatient care since 2001. She has been Board Certified by the Wound, Ostomy and Continence Nurses Certification Board since 1985 and The American Board of Wound Management since 2004. She has authored and co-authored numerous papers and consensus documents, and 14 book chapters. She is the Co-Chair of the Symposium on Advanced Wound Care, was part of the founding faculty for the Wound Certification Prep Course, is a committe member of the International Wound Infection Institute, and works as a Consultant and Educator and lives in Holland, Michigan. She works part time at the Wound Healing and Hyperbaric Medicine Clinic at Holland Hospital.

Innovation Theater Breakfast: The Science of Slough (non-accredited)

This program explores the often-overlooked biochemistry of slough proteins, revealing their critical role and diagnostic value in the wound healing journey. By examining the molecular makeup of slough, we uncover the deeper story it tells about wound status, chronicity, and healing trajectory offering clinicians <b>new insights beyond the surface presentation.</b><br>
This program is specifically designed for advanced wound care professionals and clinical decision-makers across both inpatient and outpatient settings, including: <br>
- Wound Care Experts<br>
- Physician Leaders<br>
- Nurse Educators and Managers<br>
- Program Directors<br>
- Higher-level Education Providers<br><br>
Sponsored by Urgo Medical North America.

Presenter (IT)

Friday, October 16 7:30–9:00 AM
Innovation Theater
Faculty

Yvette Mier

BNS, RN, CWON

Yvette Mier, BSN, RN, CWON, is a nationally recognized Certified Wound and Ostomy Nurse with more than 25 years of experience in wound care. For the past two decades, she has served at Wellstar Kennestone Regional Medical Center—the flagship facility of the Southeast's largest healthcare system—where she leads clinical operations at the Outpatient Wound Center.
Yvette is a published author and respected voice in the field, contributing a chapter to the WOCN Core Curriculum: Wound Management textbook and presenting numerous research posters at national wound care conferences. She also serves as clinical faculty for the Wound, Ostomy, and Continence Nursing (WOCN) program at Emory University.
Renowned for her clinical expertise, leadership, and patient-centered approach, Yvette is a trusted resource for both healthcare professionals and patients navigating complex wound care challenges. Her specialties include advanced wound assessment, evidence-based treatment planning, and interdisciplinary team coordination.
Yvette has a unique ability to distill complex clinical information into practical strategies that improve outcomes and raise the standard of care. Her passion for education, particularly in leg health, combined with her collaborative spirit, makes her a sought-after mentor and speaker. Whether at the bedside or on the podium, she brings clarity, compassion, and an unwavering commitment to excellence in wound care.

Planning Committee

Susie Seaman

NP, MSN, CWCN, CWS
Nurse Practitioner/Wound Care Consultant
San Diego Wound Care Consulting

Susie Seaman is triple Board-Certified as a Family Nurse Practitioner, Wound Care Nurse, and Wound Specialist, and is based in San Diego, California. She initially practiced as a CWOCN in the home health care arena for eight years before moving to the outpatient wound clinic setting 28 years ago. Since that time, Susie founded and then practiced in three large wound clinics in San Diego County. She is currently an educator and consultant, and is passionate about spreading the word regarding state-of-the-art care of patients with chronic wounds. Her special interests include holistic patient and wound evaluation, lower extremity and atypical wound care, topical therapy, bioburden management, and the use of advanced technologies. Susie serves on the Planning Committee for the Symposium on Advanced Wound Care, Spring and Fall meetings, and is the Secretary for the International Wound Infection Institute (IWII).

Co-Chair

Dot Weir

RN, CWON, CWS
Clinician
Holland Hospital

Dot has been practicing in the specialty of wound and ostomy care for over 4 decades. She has practiced in acute care, home care and long-term care, spent 7 years in industry, and has practiced in outpatient care since 2001. She has been Board Certified by the Wound, Ostomy and Continence Nurses Certification Board since 1985 and The American Board of Wound Management since 2004. She has authored and co-authored numerous papers and consensus documents, and 14 book chapters. She is the Co-Chair of the Symposium on Advanced Wound Care, was part of the founding faculty for the Wound Certification Prep Course, is a committe member of the International Wound Infection Institute, and works as a Consultant and Educator and lives in Holland, Michigan. She works part time at the Wound Healing and Hyperbaric Medicine Clinic at Holland Hospital.

Innovation Theater Breakfast: Peel. Place. Progress! Best Practices for Improving Clinical Efficiency and Patient Care (Non-accredited)

Sponsored by Solventum, Medical Surgical Business. <br><br>

<b>Learning Objectives:</b><br>
1. Recognize V.A.C.® Peel and Place Dressing as a versatile NPWT option across the continuum of care.<br>
2. Implement best practices to optimize dressing application and management.<br>
3. Evaluate opportunities to incorporate V.A.C.® Peel and Place Dressing into the wound care toolbox to improve efficiency and patient care.

Presenter (IT)

Saturday, October 17 7:30–9:00 AM
Innovation Theater
Faculty

Cyaandi Dove

DPM
Director of the Diabetes Foot Program
Harold Schnitzer Diabetes Health Center, Oregon Health & Science University

Dr. Dove is the Director of Clinical Research at the Department of Orthopaedics, Division of Podiatry at UT Health Science San Antonio. Dr. Dove has served as a Principal Investigator in over 50 clinical trials, over the past twenty years. She is currently establishing a research program, in which her colleagues, residents and students will be actively engaged.

She earned the Degree of Doctor of Podiatric Medicine at California College of Podiatric Medicine in San Francisco, CA, She also completed her Post Graduate Training at The University of Texas, Health Science Center in San Antonio, Texas under the tutelage of Dr. Lawrence Harkless. She completed a surgical fellowship at North General Hospital, in New York, NY.

Dr. Dove was previously in private practice in Las Vegas. Her private practice combined industry sponsored research and general podiatry, with a focus on wound care. Before opening her practice, Dr. Dove was the director of podiatry at the Diabetic foot and Ankle Center - Hospital for Joint Disease - NYU. Concurrently, she served as the sub-investigator for multiple Phase I-IV clinical trials.

Dr. Dove has multiple publications, including the Lancet and other peer-reviewed journals.

Faculty

Mary Anne Obst

RN, BSN, CCRN, CWON, CWS
Complex Abdomen Specialist
Regions Hospital

Mary Anne has extensive experience in ICU nursing and also spent many years as a flight nurse.

Mary Anne’s experience at Regions Hospital includes staff nurse on the Surgical Intensive Care Unit, Trauma Nurse Clinician, Neurosurgical Nurse Clinician, and FCCS(Fundamentals of Critical Care Support) coordinator.

Mary Anne speaks nationally and internationally about the challenges of fistula care and complex wounds. She is the creator of Fistula Solution products and holds seven patents. She has published articles in Journal of American College of Surgeons, Wounds, Surgical Technology International, Clinical Nutrition, Current Dialogues in Wound Management and The Clinics of North America: Emergency Nursing.

Co-Chair

Dot Weir

RN, CWON, CWS
Clinician
Holland Hospital

Dot has been practicing in the specialty of wound and ostomy care for over 4 decades. She has practiced in acute care, home care and long-term care, spent 7 years in industry, and has practiced in outpatient care since 2001. She has been Board Certified by the Wound, Ostomy and Continence Nurses Certification Board since 1985 and The American Board of Wound Management since 2004. She has authored and co-authored numerous papers and consensus documents, and 14 book chapters. She is the Co-Chair of the Symposium on Advanced Wound Care, was part of the founding faculty for the Wound Certification Prep Course, is a committe member of the International Wound Infection Institute, and works as a Consultant and Educator and lives in Holland, Michigan. She works part time at the Wound Healing and Hyperbaric Medicine Clinic at Holland Hospital.

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