Holtman to Serve on the Wound Healing Education Committee

Sara Holtman, Director of Wound Care University in New Braunfels, Texas, has been selected to serve as a Wound Healing Society Education Committee member for two years. In her role at Wound Care University, Ms. Holtman provides wound care and hyperbaric oxygen therapy education programs. These courses offer clinicians advanced wound care knowledge and preparation for testing for clinician credentialing.

According to their website, the Wound Healing Society (WHS) is the premier scientific organization focused on wound healing. As a nonprofit organization composed of clinical and basic scientists and wound care specialists, the mission of the WHS is to improve wound healing outcomes through science, professional education, and communication. The WHS provides a forum for interaction among scientists, clinicians, and other wound care practitioners, industrial representatives, and government agencies. The WHS is open to individuals interested in wound healing and comprises more than 500 members in the United States and other countries. The Society’s journal, Wound Repair, and Regeneration is the leading journal in the discipline. The WHS also publishes a periodical called Advances in Wound Care, an authoritative desktop reference for all wound care professionals.

“I am honored to be selected to support the WHS mission as a wound care nurse and as the Director of Wound Care University,” Holtman stated. “Wound care is expanding its reach, and the clinical, therapeutic, and technological advances are advancing the care for wound care patients and providers,” she said.

To learn more about Wound Care University and its course offerings, see the website at www.woundcareuniversity.com

Marcus Gitterle, MD, FACCWS, CWS to Present at the Texas Podiatric Medical Association

Marcus Gitterle, MD, FACCWS, CWS, and Chief Medical Officer for WoundCentrics, will present a dinner lecture on the closure of complex diabetic foot ulcers using a resorbable boron-based fiberglass matrix at the Texas Podiatric Medical Association at the JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort June 27, 2024.   

The TPMA Annual Conference features presentations on a wide range of topics relevant to foot care, including management of tendon problems, bunions, diabetic foot ulcers, practice management, dermatology, reconstructive surgery, and other clinical and business challenges including wound care for the feet. 

“I am excited to be able to present my experiences with a unique, non-biologic dermal substitute, which I have used successfully in particularly challenging diabetic foot ulcer cases,” stated Dr. Marcus Gitterle.   “This is a great audience of experienced providers, and an excellent venue to present my experience managing the diabetic foot ulcer patients,” he said. 

Local Vascular Surgeon Gabriel Bietz, MD, has joined Texas Cardiac & Vascular Institute of San Antonio

Gabriel Bietz, MD, a highly regarded, Board-Certified Vascular and Endovascular Surgeon has joined the team at Texas Cardiac and Vascular Institute to provide care to patients in the San Antonio area. Dr. Bietz is board-certified in Vascular Surgery, RPVI, and General Surgery. During his years of vascular practice, Dr. Bietz has proven to be patient-focused and highly qualified vascular surgeon committed to serving the communities of South-Central Texas, including Seguin, New Braunfels, and San Antonio.  

Dr. Bietz brings extensive vascular surgery knowledge along with cutting-edge interventional care to the patients and communities TCVI serves. He specializes in minimally invasive surgical techniques for peripheral vascular disease. He has advanced training in peripheral vascular intervention, including the treatment of critical limb ischemia. He is a specialist in peripheral vascular disease treatment for both atherectomy and stenting, and specializes in the treatment of chronically totally occluded arteries. 

“We are excited that Dr. Bietz has joined the Texas Cardiovascular Institute, he is joining an already accomplished group of interventional specialists to provide vascular care to the patients we serve in South Central Texas,” stated Stuart Oertli, a member of TCVI’s senior leadership team. “Our area has long had a reputation for high amputation rates resulting in significant morbidity and mortality. TCVI’s focus on limb preservation and amputation prevention aims to reduce those rates and improve the quality of life for those affected by peripheral vascular disease,” Oertli continued. 

Dr. Bietz attended medical school at the Royal College of Surgeons. He then completed his residency in General Surgery and Fellowship in Vascular Surgery at the University of Kentucky, where he served as Administrative Chief Resident. While at the University of Kentucky, he received three resident teaching awards.  

Dr. Bietz is accepting new patients at TCVI located at 7402 John Smith Drive, Ste. 104, San Antonio, TX  78229 can schedule an appointment by calling 210-817-4848. 

WoundCentrics Expands Wound Care Operations in Corpus Christi

WoundCentrics, a full-service wound care services company in New Braunfels, Texas, has announced that it has upgraded, expanded and relocated its’ WoundCentrics South Wound Care Clinic location to a new, larger facility. 

WoundCentrics South Corpus Christi is now located at 5920 Saratoga BLVD, Suite 120, Corpus Christi, TX 78414.  The new, larger wound care facility will allow WoundCentrics to treat more wound care patients at this location. 

According to Ben Simpson, VP of Ambulatory Services, “We are pleased to be expanding our services and increasing our clinic size to accommodate the patient growth in the market. The increased capacity will complement the WoundCentrics Wound Care Clinics located throughout the Corpus Christi area.” 

The other WoundCentrics Wound Care clinics locations in the Corpus Christi are: 

     WOUNDCENTRICS WOUND CARE & HYPERBARICS AT CORPUS CHRISTI SHORELINE  
     1533 5th Street, Corpus Christi, Texas 78404    P: 361-371-5544     F: 877-670-4779 

      WOUNDCENTRICS WOUND CARE CENTER AT CORPUS CHRISTI BAYFRONT 
     345 S. Water St., Corpus Christi, TX 78401     P: 361-299-0364  -  F: 877-670-4779 

WoundCentrics is accepting new patients at all its Wound Care Center locations.  To request an appointment to be seen by a WoundCentrics wound care specialist, call 361-299-0364 for an appointment or go to www.woundcentrics.com for more information on the company and the services offered in the Corpus Christi market. 

NALTH 2024 Spring Clinical Conference in Nashville, TN

WoundCentrics Stuart Oertli, COO, Dr. Marcus Gitterle, CMO and Ken Rideout, CDO  attend the 2024 Spring Clinical Conference for NALTH in Nashville, TN 

WoundCentrics attended the NALTH Spring 2024 LTACH (Long Term Acute Care Hospital) Clinical Education Conference + Annual Member Meeting. The Clinical Conference that was held at Westin Hotel in Nashville Tennessee, March 27 –29, 2024. 

WoundCentrics is an Advocate Member of NALTH and supports the annual meeting by providing a marketing booth at the NALTH Conference for the ninth consecutive year. The NALTH Clinical Conference focused on the clinical issues specific to Long-Term Acute Care Hospitals. 

“WoundCentrics proudly supports the NALTH Mission and its member hospitals to ensure the stability of the Long-Term Acute Care Hospitals and the evolving clinical advances in healthcare that benefits LTACH patients and communities,” said Ken Rideout, Chief Development Officer. “We are pleased to participate and support the Clinical Conference in Nashville,” Rideout stated. 

More about WoundCentrics:  WoundCentrics provides fully aligned and integrated wound care programs which complement the LTACH model: improving clinical outcomes, facilitating timely discharges, preventing re-admissions, containing costs, and optimizing revenue opportunities. Because our programs are system-based with daily provider rounds and integrated case management, shorter stay IPPS admissions and discharges can be reliably managed. Ad-hoc wound programs without fully aligned providers cannot reliably achieve profitable shorter stay admissions nor maximize case mix opportunity for LTAC compliance admissions. Our program prevents cherry-picking cases by non-aligned providers, sharply reduces outmigration due to wound-related complications as well as transfers to STACH facilities for surgical debridement. 

Texas Cardiovascular Institute announces the addition of Jonathan Bonilla, M.D. Cardiologist

Texas Cardiovascular Institute is pleased to announce that Dr. Jonathan Bonilla, MD, an experienced, double-boarded Cardiologist and Interventional Cardiologist, has joined the Institute to provide Cardiology care in the Seguin and San Antonio, Texas clinics.  

“We are extremely pleased to have Dr. Bonilla join us and provide Cardiology care to the patients we serve in our Cardiovascular clinics as we continue to grow our services in the region,” stated Stuart Oertli, Chief Operating Officer of the Texas Cardiovascular Institute. 

Dr. Bonilla specializes in diagnosing, monitoring, and treating diseases or conditions of the heart, blood vessels, and cardiovascular system. These conditions include heart attacks, heart murmurs, coronary artery disease, cardiac valvular conditions, abnormal heart rhythms, peripheral vascular disease, high cholesterol, and hypertension.  Dr. Bonilla also practices preventative medicine, helping patients maintain a heart-healthy life. 

“I am pleased that Dr. Bonilla has joined TCVI to assist our cardiovascular patients.  Dr. Bonilla brings his 10+ years of Cardiology experience to TCVI and will provide quality heart and vascular care to our patients,” stated Dr. Yoho, Chief Medical Officer for TCVI. 

Dr. Jonathan Bonilla earned a Doctor of Medicine degree from the Universidad Central del Caribe School of Medicine in Puerto Rico. He then completed an Internal Medicine Internship and Residency at Ochsner Medical Center. Dr Bonilla completed a Cardiology fellowship and an Interventional Cardiology Subspecialty Fellowship at Ochsner Medical Center.  

Dr Bonilla is bilingual and fluent in both English and Spanish. He is board-certified in Cardiology and Interventional Cardiology.  

To learn more about the Texas Cardiovascular Institute in Texas, visit the website at texascardiacandvascular.com

Wound Care University Announces Partnership with the ABWM for Wound Care Education

Wound Care University is pleased to announce a partnership with the ABWM Foundation for wound care education courses for clinicians. 

Wound Care University, located in New Braunfels, Texas, offers a Wound Care Certification Preparatory Course designed to encompass the primary elements of advanced wound care, including etiologies, therapies, and clinical wound care in all clinical settings.  

The ABWM Foundation has reviewed the 40-hour, on-demand Certification Prep Course for wound care.   This recommendation is only the second course ever by ABWM Foundation. This recognition from the ABWM Foundation demonstrates the quality and value of the Wound Care University educational program.  

“We are dedicated to providing our students with the best educational experience, regardless of their professional goals,” stated Sara Holtman, RN, BSN, MHA, CWS, and Director of Education for Wound Care University. “Furthermore, the fact that our wound care course faculty members are all ABWM-certified and actively practicing in the field adds real-world credibility to the wound care course,” Holtman continued. “Our commitment to continuous improvement for patient care is our focus, and our goal is for our students to have the best educational experience that will open opportunities for them as they advance their knowledge base and careers,” said Sara Holtman.  

Marcus Gitterle, MD, a Wound Care University faculty member and subject matter expert, stated, “Recognition by ABWM is testimony to a lot of hard work by the growing team at WoundCare University, but moreover, it is recognition of Sara’s leadership and vision.” 

WoundCentrics opens the WoundCentrics Wound Care & Hyperbaric Center in Lafayette, Louisiana

WoundCentrics, a full-service advanced wound care company, has announced the management of the former Louisiana Limb Salvage Wound Care & Hyperbaric Center in Lafayette, Louisiana. 

The WoundCentrics wound clinic offers state-of-the-art wound care, providing advanced technologies and treatments, including advanced wound care, vascular assessments, and hyperbaric oxygen therapy.  

Patients in the area who suffer from chronic, non-healing wounds due to diabetes, vascular issues, infection, pressure, and other health-related problems can be treated at the clinic located at 901 Wilson, Suite D, in the Oil Center in Lafayette.  

The WoundCentrics Wound Care & Hyperbaric Center is staffed with wound care trained providers and nursing staff. The wound center staff will coordinate care plans with the patient’s current referring providers and care team and keep the patient’s care team informed at every step of treatment. 

Typical wounds seen in the wound center include diabetic ulcers, vascular wounds, arterial wounds, pressure wounds, and infected wounds.  Once a diagnosis is identified in the patients, various treatments are prescribed, including sharp debridement, compression, off-loading, dressings, skin substitutes, hyperbaric oxygen therapy, and vascular studies. 

 “We are pleased to manage the wound and hyperbaric oxygen program at the WoundCentrics Wound Care Center in Lafayette,” said Ben Simpson, VP of Ambulatory Services for WoundCentrics. “Our goal is to help heal patients with chronic, difficult wounds and improve patient lives.” 

Located at 901 Wilson Street, Suite D in Lafayette, the Clinic is open Monday through Friday, 8 am to 4 pm. To learn more about WoundCentrics, visit the website at www.woundcentrics.com.

WoundCentrics & Wound Care University Faculty Members to Present at Wild On Wounds Conference (WOW) in Hollywood, Florida this Fall

Marcus Gitterle, M.D., FACCWS, Chief Medical Officer for WoundCentrics, LLC, and Sara Holtman, RN, BSN, MHA, CWS, WCC, Director of Clinical Education for WoundCentrics and Director of Wound Care University, will be presenting at the Wild On Wounds national conference in Hollywood, Florida September 13 – 16, 2023. 

According to Wild On Wounds (WOW), the annual conference is the third largest wound care conference nationally and is focused on empowering the healthcare workforce with impactful wound care education created by and for clinicians.   

WOW attendees come from all over the U.S. to network and participate in the hands-on workshops and to learn new, advanced wound care treatments and technologies to better care for patients. 

Dr. Gitterle and Sara Holtman will present “Nutrition is the Key,” a nutrition and wound healing lecture on Saturday, September 16th. “We are looking forward to contributing to Wild on Wounds, and especially on this key topic,” stated Dr.Gitterle. 

” I am honored to speak at the WOW conference with some of the best wound care clinicians in the industry,” Holtman said.  “Dr. Gitterle and I have collaborated for many years to bring our education department to where it is today, and to be recognized like this is a true honor.  I look forward to continuing to educate the healthcare community on best and current wound care practices,” Holtman stated. 

WoundCentrics announces expansion of Clinical Research Program with two New Clinical Trials

WoundCentrics, LLC, a comprehensive wound care company based in New Braunfels, Texas, has announced participation in 2 clinical trials at several of their Texas clinical sites. “As we have grown and our patient volumes and clinical research capabilities grew, we recognized the need to contribute to the body of evidence in wound care in order to better care for those we serve,” stated Marcus Gitterle, MD, WoundCentrics’ Chief Medical Officer. In making the commitment, the company hired a clinical research coordinator and invested in the infrastructure required to successfully manage the complexities of producing meaningful results from its work. 

The first study, sponsored by Engineered Tissue Solutions (ETS), an emerging wound care device company that has developed an innovative bioactive glass technology that reduces healing time, minimizes treatment costs, and improves patient outcomes. This Phase Three Clinical Trial, which ETS has funded, utilizes ETS’ Mirragen Engineered Dermal Substitute for the treatment of Diabetic Foot Ulceration.  WoundCentrics will support as a clinical trial site and has already begun enrolling patients in Corpus Christi, Texas. 

Additionally, WoundCentrics is expected to serve as a primary site in a clinical trial sponsored by Estar Technologies, LTD, which will utilize their innovative Platelet Rich Fibrin product in the treatment of Diabetic Foot Ulcers. The clinical trial is currently awaiting final IRB approval and is expected to begin later this summer in multiple WoundCentrics locations in Texas. 

While funded studies enable broader research objectives, WoundCentrics has also undertaken several retrospective studies which are ongoing in the areas of Chronic DVT and venous ulcer disease, as well as revascularization outcomes in patients recommended for amputation due to having been deemed to have “no other options.” 

It is a privilege to be able to help advance the state of the art in Wound Care and to be able to offer leading-edge therapies to our patients. I’m proud of our team for their outstanding contributions in the area of clinical research,” remarked Dr. Gitterle.  

Stuart Oertli, WoundCentrics’ Chief Operating Officer, closed by saying, “It is our goal to continue to grow our research capabilities, engage in new studies regularly and collaborate with our teams and sponsors to publish the findings our research is able to generate. Under the guidance of Dr. Gitterle and with the support of our Vice President of Ambulatory Services, Ben Simpson, we have already seen early success both for our patients and our research partners.”