Woctalk

Resources: Reducing Ileostomy Postoperative Complications Due to Dehydration: A Quality Improvement Project – JWOCN May/June 2026 Redefining the High-Output Stoma and Its Bearing on Clinical Practice Results of an International Consensus Panel – JWOCN September/October 2025 High-output stoma management: an overview – BJS September 2025 About the Speakers: Tara Beuscher, DNP, RN, ANP-BC, CWOCN, CFCN, NPD-BC, WOCNF, is certified in Wound, Ostomy, and Continence care and is an Adult Nurse Practitioner. She has an ostomy and wound care clinic practice at the Duke Cancer Center in Durham, North Carolina, where she sees individuals with fecal and urinary diversions for any diagnosis as well as malignant wounds. Dr. Beuscher has worked in a variety of settings including acute, long term acute,  home, ambulatory and community settings. Dr. Beuscher also teaches ostomy care to first year medical students and surgical residents. Duke is the first medical school in the country to incorporate ostomy care within the forma

Dr. Loan Lam is the founder of Aetherus Wound and Lymphatics, a specialty edema and wound center dedicated to treatment, research, and education of nonhealing wound and complex edema disorders with associated skin complications. She graduated from Rice University, received her medical degree from Barry University, and completed her podiatric surgical residency at Yale New Haven Health System in New Haven, CT. She is certified in wound, hyperbaric medicine, and lymphedema therapy. She has authored several articles in peer-reviewed journals, presented numerous wound conference research posters, is a principal investigator for multiple clinical research trials, and is a national and international speaker on behalf of several organizations. Dr. Lam is a member of the American Vein and Lymphatic Society, National Lymphedema Network, Wound Healing Society, Wound Care Collaborative Community, American Professional Wound Care Association, and Academy of Physicians in Wound Healing. She is a long-time volunteer and bo

Resources: Learn more about the 3M™ V.A.C.® Peel and Place Dressing Learn more about the 3M™ Cavilon™ Advanced Skin Protectant WOCNext 2026 registrants can watch the Symposia Session on-demand through September 15: (S01) Simplifying Clinical Workflow with Novel All-in-One Negative Pressure Wound Therapy (NPWT) Dressing supported by Solventum About the Speaker: Catherine Milne, MSN, APRN, ANP/ACNS-BC, CWOCN-AP, WOCNF, is an Advanced Practice WOC Nurse practicing across the continuum in a variety of clinical settings. Focusing on wound and skin outcomes, Cathy conducts clinical research, lectures nationally and internationally, and has published numerous articles and two textbooks. In addition, Cathy is a clinical instructor for the Yale School of Nursing. She served on the AAWC Board and now is President of the newly formed Coalition for At-Risk Skin (CARS). She recently participated in an expert panel developing consensus statements for best practices addressing antimicrobial resistance in wound care. Editing

Resources: Read Repositioning Guidelines to Decrease Pressure Injury in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit: A Quality Improvement Project in the July/August 2024 issue of JWOCN and watch the accompanying video abstract. About the Speaker: Margaret Birdsong, DNP, CPNP, CWOCN, is a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner at Johns Hopkins Children’s Center. Margaret has been a dedicated member of the Division of Pediatric Surgery since 2000. She has been a Certified Wound, Ostomy, and Continence Nurse (CWOCN) since 2002 and serves as the primary wound care consultant for the pediatric hospital. In 2020, she earned her Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) from the Johns Hopkins School of Nursing. In addition to her clinical responsibilities, she works closely with Dr. Isam Nasr in the Colorectal Center, where she is also certified in biofeedback therapy. Margaret has presented nationally on a range of topics, including general pediatric surgery, wound and ostomy care, and pediatric continence management. Her clinical and academi

Resources: United Ostomy Associations of America (UOAA) Find an ostomy support group near you Ostomy Awareness Day / World Ostomy Day The Youth Rally Friends of Ostomates Worldwide-USA (FOW-USA) Ostomy 101   About the Speaker: Eva Philippe, BSN, RN, CWON, graduated as a nurse in 2012 from Saddleback College in CA. She then went on to complete a BSN program through University of Texas, Arlington. She realized her passion and interest in the role wound and ostomy while completing her capstone BSN project on healthcare staff’s impact on patients’ adaptation to ostomy in the early post-op phase. She completed her wound training through University of Washington and ostomy training through Emory University in 2019. She currently works at Fred Hutch Cancer Care clinic in Seattle, WA. This is an outpatient oncology clinic where she works in the CWON role supporting patients with ostomy needs and a wide variety of wound etiologies (oncological and other). This is a small team of CWONs working in collaboration with ove

About the Speaker: Dr. Abigail Chaffin is a Professor of Surgery and Chief of the Division Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at Tulane University. She is also the Program Director of the Tulane University/Ochsner Clinic Plastic Surgery residency program. She currently serves the Medical Director of the MedCentris Wound Healing Institute at Metairie. Dr. Chaffin is Board-Certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and is Board-Certified by the American Board of Surgery. She is also Board-Certified by the American Board of Wound Medicine & Surgery, and the American Board of Wound Healing. Dr. Chaffin is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons. She is also a Certified Wound Specialist Physician. Due to her clinical and research excellence in wound medicine, she has been honored to be named as a Master of the American Professional Wound Care Association. Dr. Chaffin is a graduate of the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, where she received a Bachelor’s Degree in Biology. She then received M.D. de

Resources: View the in-person event schedule View the virtual event schedule Register for WOCNext through June 2, 2026, at 12 PM ET Download the WOCNext app to plan your conference experience Explore the 2026 accepted abstracts Attending for the first time? Check out the First-Time Attendee Guide Learn more about keynote speaker Siri Lindley in her documentary, Tri Me: The Siri Lindley Story About the Speaker: Brooke Passy, CMP, DES, is the Director of Events and Industry Relations for the WOCN® Society. She has been a part of the WOCN team for almost two decades and has worked in all areas of the meeting planning process. Brooke is a certified CMP (Certified Meeting Professional) and DES (Digital Event Strategist) certification. Brooke's dedication to customer service and execution of events comes from her varied professional background of multiple years working in the food industry and experience in the performing arts. Brooke believes that running an event is just like a show; everyone must do their part a

Resources: Abstract: Pressure Injury Prevention in the Oncology Population ePoster: Pressure Injury Prevention in the Oncology Population Wound Treatment Associate (WTA®) Program Journal of Wound, Ostomy, and Continence Nursing (JWOCN®)   About the Speaker: Dr. Lisa Marie Grubb is a wound, ostomy, and continence nurse and nursing leader at Johns Hopkins Hospital, where she focuses on improving skin and wound outcomes for complex patient populations. Her work centers on pressure injury prevention, where treatment-related skin changes, immobility, nutrition challenges, and device use can quickly increase risk. With decades of nursing experience and a strong background in quality improvement and clinical education, she partners with bedside teams to translate evidence into practical prevention strategies that fit real-world workflows.  Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant.

Resources: Explore the WOCN® Society Mentor Match Program and sign up as a mentor or mentee Join the WOC Nurse Week 2026 celebrations and events About the Speakers: Derik Alexander, MSN, RN, FNP-BC, CWOCN, CFCN, has been a member of the WOCN Society for over years. He is a WOC Nurse Practitioner at Dignity Health Medical Group and St. Joseph’s Hospital & Medical Center in Phoenix, Arizona. He currently serves as President-Elect of the WOCN Society. His educational background includes a Master of Science in Nursing as a Family Nurse Practitioner from the University of Phoenix (2009), as well as completion of the Emory University Wound, Ostomy & Continence Nurse Education program. Ferne Elsass, MSN, RN, CPN, CWON, WOCNF, is an experienced Clinical Instructor with a demonstrated history of working in the hospital and healthcare industry. She is a skilled pediatric registered nurse with certifications in Pediatrics and Wound and Ostomy care, and has a strong clinical focus on pediatric wound and ostomy se

Resources: Sign up to “Go Back to Your Roots” and use your expertise to inspire current nursing students by sharing your gratifying role as a certified ostomy nurse. You’ll get access to an official toolkit to help you start planting seeds. Visit the UOAA website at ostomy.org for additional ostomy information.   About the Speakers Jeanine Gleba, as the Director of Advocacy for the United Ostomy Associations of America (UOAA), awareness and advocates for those who have had or who will have ostomy or continent diversion surgery. Jeanine has her Masters degree in Education and over 19 years of experience of grassroots organizing including spearheading the efforts behind the successful passage of a New Jersey law named for her daughter Grace, which benefits thousands of NJ children who have hearing loss. She is an award-winning advocate most recently being honored as the recipient of UOAA’s President Award in 2023. Jeanine believes in giving back to her community and has served in numerous roles including as an

Resources: Therapeutic wound and skin cleansing: Clinical evidence and recommendations by International Wound Infection Institute (IWII)   About the Speakers: Dr. Kristina Fawcett, DNP, NP-C, CWS has over two decades of specialized expertise in wound care. She has been a member of the WOCN for over 15 years. Dr. Krissy has been instrumental in developing outpatient programs while advancing evidence-based practices in hospital settings throughout our community. Her experience spans all areas of healthcare, giving her a comprehensive understanding of patient needs across different care environments. Currently practicing at Valley Wound Care Specialists, Dr. Krissy is passionate about advancing wound care knowledge through education and collaboration. She works closely with industry leaders to evaluate innovative treatment modalities, always with an eye toward comprehensive patient care that addresses both clinical needs and individual treatment goals. Kurt Holifield, FNP-C, CWS, is a highly experienced board-c

Resources: View the Abstract: Utilizing Four Eyes Methodology to Identify a Risk Window for Hospital-Acquired Pressure Injuries (HAPI) View the ePoster: Utilizing Four Eyes Methodology to Identify a Risk Window for Hospital-Acquired Pressure Injuries (HAPI)     About the Speaker Sandra Fasing, MSN, APRN, ACNS-BC, CWOCN, is an Acute Care WOC Nurse at VHC Health with over 30 years of nursing experience. As a member of a five-person WOC team, she supports both acute care and outpatient ostomy services, playing a pivotal role in the hospital’s "Journey to Zero" pressure injury prevention program. Sandra is also a trailblazer in her organization’s Magnet® research pathway. Sandra serves as a WOCNCB® Board Member.   Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant.

Resources: National Pressure Injury Advisory Panel (NPIAP) NPIAP eCQM Resources NPIAP International Guidelines eCQI Resource Center Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) eCQM Library WOCN® Society eCQM Navigation Center WOCNext® 2026 Session on Electronic Clinical Quality Measure HH-PI   About the Speaker Michelle Deppisch, PT, CWS, FACCWS, is a self-employed wound care consultant. She is a physical therapist and holds certifications as a Clinical Wound Specialist from the American Board of Wound Management and as a Fellow in the American College of Clinical Wound Specialists. Her expertise and dedication extend to various leadership roles within the National Pressure Injury Advisory Panel (or NPIAP), where she currently serves as President-Elect on the Board of Directors. Michele’s commitment to advancing the pressure injury prevention is further exemplified by her role as the NPIAP Task Force Resource for the Electronic Clinical Quality Measure: Hospital Harm-Pressure injury or HH-PI, secreta

Resources:American Physical Therapy Association (APTA)APTA Specialist CertificationAcademy of Clinical Electrophysiology and Wound ManagementAmerican Board of Wound Management (ABWM)  About the SpeakerRenee Cordrey, PT, PhD, MSPT, MPH, CWS, FAAWC, found her wound care passion while a physical therapist student. Since then, she has become board certified in wound care and focused her career on that specialty. She has worked in acute care, long term care, outpatient wound clinics, and academia. She is currently a physical therapist with Enhabit Home Health.She has been very active within the wound care community throughout her career, having served four terms on the Board of Directors of the Association for the Advancement of Wound Care (AAWC) and in various roles with the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA), the Wound, Ostomy, and Continence Nurses Society™ (WOCN®), the American Board of Wound Management (ABWM), the Alliance of Wound Care Stakeholders, and Health Volunteers Overseas. She was honored w

Resources:Ostomy & Continent Diversion Patient Bill of RightsKindred BoxOstomy 211Pouches of LoveFriends of Ostomates Worldwide - USAUOAA Support Group FinderWOCN® Society Public Policy & Advocacy informationWOCN Society ChaptersWOCTalk Podcast Ep 137: Policy Changes That Could Impact Your WOC Practice About the Speaker:Kathleen Lawrence, MSN, RN, CWOCN, WOCNF, has had a wonderful career path in nursing. Her journey has included acute care, medical surgical nursing, home care, hospice and over 30 years as a wound ostomy and continence nurse practicing the full WOC scope of practice. Her work in WOC nursing has included acute care in-patient, and the development of a comprehensive wound ostomy and continence service for inpatient, outpatient, and contract entities in a rural Vermont setting. Contracts included subacute care, long-term care, pediatric clinics for special needs, home care and hospice. Currently Kate is the Program Director of wound, ostomy and continence services at the VNA and Hospice o

Interested in advancing your pediatric WOC care knowledge? Click here to view all active courses available for Contact Hours in the WOCN Society’s Continuing Education Center (CEC).To view a collection of hot topic pediatric articles in the Journal of Wound, Ostomy, and Continence Nursing (JWOCN®), click here.The Editorial Board of the Journal of Wound, Ostomy, and Continence Nursing invites Authors to submit Manuscripts. Click here for additional information.Applications are now live for the next class of WOCN Fellows. Learn more and submit a nomination by January 30, 2026.To view the WOCN Society’s Public Policy hot topics and resources, click here. About the SpeakerFerne Elsass is a dedicated Wound and Ostomy Nurse based in Norfolk, VA, bringing over 26 years of experience in pediatric nursing. Her clinical background includes extensive work in neonatal and pediatric intensive care, as well as trauma education. Ferne holds a bachelor’s degree from Virginia Tech and a master’s degree in nursing from Liberty

Resources:American Cancer SocietyAmerican College of Surgeons Ostomy Home Skills ProgramCorstrata Virtual Ostomy Support ServicesCrohn’s and Colitis Foundation of AmericaEmbracing Ostomy LifeGirls With GutsJWOCN® articles:Outcome Criteria for Discharging the Patient With a New Ostomy From Home Health CareSurvey Results on Use of a Convex Pouching System in the Postoperative PeriodPreoperative Stoma Site Marking Decreases Stoma and Peristomal ComplicationsCharacteristics of Convex Skin Barriers and Clinical ApplicationOstomy101Ostomy and Continent Diversion Patient Bill of Rights (PBOR)Ostomy Care Associate (OCA®) ProgramOstomy ConnectionPhoenix magazinePeristomal Skin Assessment GuideTravel Communication CardUnited Ostomy Associations of AmericaWatch the symposia session from WOCNext® 2025, (S03) Anticipatory Guidance: Elevating Future Ostomy Care About the Speaker:Debra Netsch, DNP, APRN, FNP-BC, CNP, CWOCN-AP, CFCN, has been a WOC nurse for 40 years and a Family Nurse Practitioner for 29 years. In practicin

Episode ResourcesThe WOCN DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses with a Bright Future is provided by the WOCN Society, a supportive association of the DAISY Foundation, to recognize a new tri-specialty wound, ostomy, and continence (WOC) certified nurse within the first five (5) years of WOC practice who is destined to make a significant contribution to WOC nursing as a compassionate clinician, educator, consultant, researcher, administrator, and professional leader. Nominations are being accepted now through January 9, 2026. To learn more visit wocn.org/DAISY To learn more about the work of The DAISY Foundation, visit daisyfoundation.org.Click here to learn more and purchase the 25th Anniversary Edition of the book by DAISY Foundation co-founders, "Shining the Light on All the Right”.About The DAISY FoundationIn 1999, Bonnie's stepson Patrick, age 33, developed the auto-immune disease ITP.  Bonnie and her husband Mark were at his side when Patrick died after 8 weeks in the hospital. The nursing care they exper

ResourcesTo listen to Michelle Rice’s previous Ostomy Observations episode from Season 3 titled “Managing Pediatric Ostomy Patients: Practice Pearls”, click here.To learn more about Youth Rally, a one of a kind camp experience for youth living with conditions of the bowel and/or bladder system, click here.Camp Boggy Creek makes it possible for children with serious illnesses and their families to experience a free, life-changing camp where safety, respect, love, and joy come together to enrich their physical and behavioral health. To learn more, click here.The Crohn's & Colitis Foundation Camp Oasis gives kids living with Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis a space to just be kids. They provide a safe environment where friendships ignite, confidence soars, and epic adventures become life-long memories. Camp Oasis is FUN without the fear of judgment or feeling different. To learn more about Camp Oasis, click here. Journal of Wound, Ostomy, and Continence Nursing (JWOCN®) articles referenced in this epis

Episode resources:United Ostomy Associations of America (UOAA)Colorectal Cancer AllianceColon Cancer Coalition About the Speakers:Daniel “Dry Dock” Shockley is a retired Navy veteran who served in Operation Desert Storm, Enduring Freedom, and Iraqi Freedom. In 2012, at age 51, he was diagnosed with attenuated Familial Adenomatous Polyposis (AFAP) following his first colonoscopy, despite being asymptomatic and having no family history. He underwent a successful total proctocolectomy with a permanent ileostomy immediately after receiving his DNA germline test results.Since his diagnosis, Daniel has served as an ostomy ambassador for both the United Ostomy Associations of America (UOAA) and involved with the WOCN® Society in supporting ostomy patient education and advocacy. Drawing on his military experience, he embraces challenges with a mindset of adaptability, resilience, and positivity. Over the past 12 years, he has collaborated with ostomy organizations and patients nationally and internationally, advocati