Collaboration connects science and clinical practice to improve patient outcomes across the wound care community.
By Susan Volk, VMD, PhD, DACVS
President, Wound Healing Society
The longstanding partnership between the Wound Healing Society and SAWC Spring reflects a strategic effort to connect scientific discovery with clinical care in a way that benefits the entire wound care community.
This collaboration has continued to evolve over time, and it remains a critical part of how we support better outcomes for patients and providers at SAWC Spring | WHS 2026, April 8–12 in Charlotte, NC. As WHS President, I view this partnership as an essential extension of our mission to advance wound healing through science and education.
SAWC Spring | WHS brings our Annual Meeting into a broader clinical setting, creating a shared environment where research and practice inform each other in meaningful ways.
What Is SAWC Spring | WHS
SAWC Spring | WHS has become a leading global platform for advancing wound healing science, clinical care, and innovation, bringing together a multidisciplinary community focused on improving patient outcomes. The co-location of the WHS Annual Meeting within this setting reflects a deliberate partnership that ensures scientific rigor remains central to how new ideas are evaluated and applied in practice.
This role is increasingly important as wound care grows more complex and the gap between discovery and clinical implementation becomes more pronounced. SAWC Spring | WHS creates a setting where that gap can be addressed in real time, strengthening collaboration between researchers and clinicians and reinforcing the value of the WHS partnership for both its members and the broader wound care community.
Why This Partnership Matters Now
Wound healing research continues to advance, with new insights shaping how we approach treatment and recovery. Clinicians are also facing increasing demands as they manage complex wounds across diverse patient populations.
This environment makes it more important to connect research with clinical decision-making. The SAWC Spring | WHS partnership supports that connection by placing scientific exchange alongside clinical education. Through this collaboration, attendees can better understand how emerging data informs care strategies. It also creates opportunities for dialogue between those generating evidence and those applying it.
WHS Programming and What You Gain
The WHS Annual Meeting, co-located at SAWC Spring 2026, offers programming that reflects our commitment to advancing wound healing science and supporting the next generation of leaders.
- WHS Thomas K. Hunt Honorary Lecture
April 8 | 8:15 – 9:15 AM
This session examines biomaterials used in modeling and therapeutic delivery in wound healing and repair, with a focus on how these approaches may influence future care. - WHS Young Investigators Symposium
April 9 | 1:45 – 4 PM
This session highlights emerging research and provides a platform for early-career scientists to share their work. - WHS Meet the Mentors: Getting to the Bedside
April 10 | 12:15 – 2 PM
This discussion addresses how research moves into clinical use, with a focus on navigating funding and translational challenges.
Attending SAWC Spring | WHS provides clear benefits for both clinicians and researchers:
- A stronger understanding of how wound healing research applies to patient care
- Direct engagement with WHS members and leaders in the field
- Insight into how new evidence can inform clinical decisions
- Opportunities to learn from multidisciplinary perspectives across wound care
Why SAWC Spring | WHS 2026 is Urgent
The pace of change in wound care continues to increase, and the gap between discovery and implementation remains a challenge. Clinicians and researchers need shared spaces where knowledge can move more efficiently into practice.
SAWC Spring | WHS provides that space. By aligning the WHS Annual Meeting with a leading wound care conference, this partnership supports progress that is grounded in science and relevant to patient care.
Event Details
- Event: SAWC Spring | WHS
- Dates: April 8–12, 2026
- Location: Charlotte, NC
- Learn more on the event website
- Registration rates and information
Susan Volk VMD, PhD, DACVS is a Professor of Small Animal Surgery at the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine.