The American Professional Wound Care Association (APWCA) is a hybrid non-profit organization unlike any other organization available in wound care. The APWCA designates members that meet prescribed requirements as Fellow, Diplomate or Associate, similar to a "college" type of organization while it serves as a full service medical "Association". It is in that sense unique in wound care. Membership incorporates all of the various medical specialties involved in treating complex wounds. Wound care education is provided in an atmosphere that bring these fields together and therefore facilitates an integrated, multi-disciplinary approach. The mission of the Association is to help decrease the rate of complications from all wounds, including acute, chronic, post surgical, post radiation, reconstructive and other problematic wounds. Our goal is to accelerate wound healing and preserve and/or enhance the quality of life for these patients. This broad definition reflecting interest in all forms of wounds is one factor that distinguishes APWCA from other organizations and associations in wound care. 

APWCA provides wound care education conferences and smaller regional seminars where members meet, and network with various health care providers internationally, nationally and in their geographic area. It provides the ability to establish one's interest in the treatment of chronic and complex wounds.  APWCA provides a national yearly conference striving for the highest quality in its educational program and covering topics that are state of art as well as courses for a basics and fundamentals review that is current and up to date. Research and publication of same is encouraged through the peer reviewed, Medline indexed journal, Advances in Skin and Wound Care, which has been endorsed by the APWCA and is provided monthly to all members.  Regional meetings are also offered.

Members can be Fellows, Diplomates or Associates of the American Professional Wound Care Association. The category of membership is contingent upon board certification status, specific medical discipline and the ability to maintain a specified minimal amount of contact hours for continuing medical education in wound care. Board certification for credentialing purposes is accepted by APWCA when provided by organizations recognized to provide certification  for specific specialties in medicine and/or wound care. To learn more about Fellow, Diplomate or Associate designations please visit our membership information page.

The Association provides representation for health care providers for insurance issues and insurance company policies. It also serves as a wound care educational resource for insurance companies so there can be a dialogue between provider and carrier to address items of concern. APWCA when feasible coordinates these efforts with other medical associations and related organizations so resources can be shared to best achieve objectives of mutual interest.  APWCA serves as a resource to health care providers, patients and care givers, insurance companies, governmental agencies and industry while promoting excellence in wound care and patient advocacy.  The non-profit status of the Association is one of many reasons it performs these many functions in an unbiased manner.

Benefits of membership are many and include: the Medline indexed, peer reviewed Journal, "Advances in Skin and Wound Care", endorsed by the APWCA; "E-Alert" a monthly email publication on the latest developments in wound care news (associated with Advances in Skin and Wound Care, published by Lippincott, Williams and Wilkins); monthly APWCA E-Mail News updates, printed newsletter SYNERGY, Regional and National seminars at reduced rates, legislative representation,  consultation services for complex cases and informational resource for providers,  patients, and their caregiver.  Learn more about membership benefits.

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