Woctalk

Resources:Learn about the DAISY FoundationRead the blog about the WOCN® DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses with a Bright FutureExplore ways to get involved with the WOCN SocietyJoin the WOC Nurse Week 2025 celebrationsRegister for the free WOC Nurse Week 2025 WebinarListen to the WOC Nurses Spread Sunshine & Healing playlist on SpotifyRegister for WOCNext® 2025About the Guest:Vicky Pontieri-Lewis, MS, RN, ACNS-BC-CWOCN, has been a member of the WOCN Society for 31 years. She works as the Clinical Administration/WOC Nurse at RWJ Barnabas Health System. Her educational background includes Master of Science Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey, Newark, NJ, 1993; Bachelor of Science, Nursing Wagner College, Staten Island, New York, 1983; Wound Ostomy Continence Nurse Education, Abbott Northwestern School; Of Enterostomal Therapy, Minneapolis, Minnesota, 1990; Lean Six Sigma – Greenbelt. Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant.

Resources:Joyful: The Surprising Power of Ordinary Things to Create Extraordinary Happiness by Ingrid Fetell LeeHow To Practice Three Good Things - University of Utah Health Health and happiness go hand in hand - Harvard HealthThe happy secret to better work TEDTalk by Shawn AchorWhat Makes You Grateful? by Anne KubitskyAbout the Guests:Suzanne Lord, BSN, RN, CWOCN, BCMAS, has been a registered nurse for 31 years and Certified Wound, Ostomy and Continence Nurse, for the past 13 years. She also holds a board certification in Medical Affairs. Her background has been predominantly in home care, and it was as a visiting nurse she chose to pursue the unique specialty of wound, ostomy, and continence nursing.she made the leap from caring for mostly an elderly population in the home to leading the skin team at Connecticut Children’s medical center—an acute care pediatric hospital. From there, she moved to a global medical affairs role within the ostomy medical device industry and then into an acute care inpatient ro

Resources mentioned in this episode:E-ordering options that make it faster and easier for HCPs to order and alter patients’ suppliesUOAA Resources LibraryAccess to Supplies with Medicare words of Advice from UOAA Advocacy teamThe Critical Need to Provide Ostomy Supplies Specific to Patient Need to ImproveLCD-Ostomy Supplies (L33828)UOAA non-medical switching of ostomy supplies campaignUOAA’s Roadmap to establish outpatient ostomy services. About the Guest:Yelena Brusilovsky is the National Vice President of Sales for Edgepark and has been with the organization for 12 years. In her role, she leads three key teams: the urology and ostomy inside sales team, the diabetes sales team focused on endocrinologists and internal medicine providers, and the market access team responsible for managing Edgepark’s relationships with contracted insurance payers. With extensive experience in healthcare sales and market access, Yelena is committed to improving patient access to essential medical supplies and fostering stronger

ResourcesWound Treatment Associate (WTA®) ProgramHow to become a certification wound, ostomy, and continence (WOC) nurseOstomy Care Associate (OCA®) ProgramAbout the GuestLaurie Wooley, MSN, RN, CWCN, COCN, is an experienced inpatient wound and ostomy nurse with a decade of expertise in the field. As a WTA Course Coordinator and Ladder III nurse at AHN-St. Vincent Hospital, she focuses on quality improvement initiatives to reduce hospital-acquired pressure injuries. Holding both a BSN and a master's degree in nursing education, Laurie has earned two national board certifications—Certified Wound Care Nurse (CWCN) and Certified Ostomy Care Nurse (COCN)—through the experiential route. Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant.

Episode Resources:WOCN Continuing Education CenterFirst Social Learning discussionsBite Sized Learning CoursesWound Treatment Associate (WTA®) ProgramOstomy Care Associate (OCA®) ProgramAbout the Guests:Ashlee Garcia, MSN, APRN, AGACNP-BC, CWOCN-AP, CFCN, CLT is the current Chair of the WOCN Society’s Education Committee (2024-2026). She has specialized in WOC nursing since 2012 and became certified in 2013. With a strong background in acute care and long-term acute care settings, Ashlee now manages the WOC program at TMC and runs the outpatient ostomy clinic. Passionate about lifelong learning, she remains actively engaged within the WOCN Society and her local WOC nursing community.Dr. Tara Beuscher, DNP, RN, GCNS-BC, ANP-BC, CWOCN, CFCN, NPD-BC, NEA-BC has been continuously WOC-certified for over 30 years and has worked across diverse healthcare settings nationwide. Dedicated to innovation and program development, she currently serves as the Accredited Provider Program Director for the WOCN Society. Dr. Beu

Episode Resources:Click here to download the app ‘Palliative Wound Pro’ for Apple devicesClick here to download the app ‘Palliative Wound Pro’ for Android devices About the Guest:Anne Walsh, ANP-BC, ACHPN, CWOCN, has been a registered nurse since 1995, beginning her career in home health care. She became certified in wound, ostomy, and continence nursing in 2001 and earned her master’s degree and nurse practitioner certification in 2003. In 2008, Anne achieved advanced certification in hospice and palliative nursing and has since dedicated her career to working as a WOC nurse practitioner in hospice and palliative care.Recognizing the shortage of wound and palliative care-certified clinicians, Anne developed the “Wound Care Pro” app, a valuable resource for clinicians treating patients with wounds, whether the goal is healing or palliation. Her expertise and innovative approach continue to make a significant impact on patient care and clinician education.

Episode Resources:Scholarship InformationApplication Deadlines:Spring Cycle: February 1 – May 1Fall Cycle: August 1 – November 1About the Guests:Linda Reynolds, BSN, RN, CWOCN, has been a dedicated nurse for nearly four decades and currently serves as the Chair of the WOCN Society Scholarship Committee (2021–2025). A past president of the Pacific Coast Chapter of WOCN, Linda is also a Course Coordinator for the Wound Treatment Associate (WTA) Program. Her commitment to advancing wound, ostomy, and continence nursing was recognized with the 2022 Nurse Lifetime Achievement Award from the Pacific Coast Chapter of WOCN.

Episode Resources:The Phoenix magazine, the official publication of United Ostomy Associations of America (UOAA)OstomyConnection.comAbout the Speaker:JoAnn is a CWOCN® since 1989 and FNP since 1999. She currently is President, Co-Director, and faculty for WEB WOC® Programs in Minneapolis, MN since 2002, educating nurses who are interested in becoming wound, ostomy, and continence care nurse specialists. In addition, JoAnn practices parttime at MercyOne North Iowa Continence clinic and Wound/Vascular Center in Mason City, IA. She is co-author of a chapter in the 2nd Edition of WOCN Core Curriculum: Wound Management, 2022, which discusses wound bed preparation using the expanded TIME framework and other general principles of topical therapy.

Episode Resources:World Council of Enterostomal Therapists (WCET®) International Ostomy GuidelinesWCET® JournalLeininger's Culture Care Diversity and Universality: A Worldwide Nursing TheoryTranscultural Nursing Society (TCNS)Journal of Transcultural NursingNational Association of Hispanic Nurses (NAHN)National Black Nurses Association (NBNA)Journal of Wound, Ostomy, and Continence Nursing (JWOCN) About the Speaker:Cecilia Zamarripa, PhD, RN, CWON, is a Wound, Ostomy, and Continence (WOC) Nurse for 38 years and currently manages the WOC Nursing Department at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. Prior to that, Cece practiced WOC Nursing at Baylor University Medical Center Dallas, Texas; Rush University Medical Center; and at the UPMC since 1997.Cece has been involved as a clinical preceptor for nurses in a WOCNEP and in Nursing Education roles. In 2010, Cece had the privilege of being selected as the Joint Commission Resources Patient Safety Scholar in Residence. Her teaching experience includes RN to

Episode Resources:JWOCN article: Assessment and Identification of Skin Disorders in Skin of Color: An Integrative ReviewAbout the Guests:Kathleen Francis, DNP, FNP-BC, CWOCN, is a registered nurse with over 45 years of diverse experience, including acute care, perioperative, critical care, long-term care, home health care, and wound, ostomy, and continence (WOC) nursing. Board-certified as a WOC nurse since 2008, she completed her WOC education in 2007 and has been an active member of the WOCN® Society, serving in various volunteer roles within the Society and the Northeast Chapter of the WOCN. Dr. Francis has worked as a CWOCN at VNS, Maimonides Medical Center, and is currently employed at NYU Langone Brooklyn. Her DNP project, completed in 2016, focused on the assessment and identification of skin injuries in individuals with darker skin tones. She has since published her project findings and continues to write and present on this critical topic at conferences. Additionally, she has contributed numerous jou

Episode Resources:JWOCN Article: Use of a Convex Pouching System in the Postoperative Period: A National ConsensusJWOCN Article: Use of Convexity in Pouching: A Comprehensive ReviewJWOCN Article: Characteristics of Convex Skin Barriers and Clinical Application: Results of an International Consensus PanelCollin’s social media: Instagram About the Guests:Colin Jarvis is an ileostomy advocate who’s been living with an ostomy for over 10 years following a diagnosis of ulcerative colitis. During his junior year at UC Berkeley, Collin was captain of the track and field and cross-country teams, with dreams of becoming a professional athlete. However, the sudden onset of his illness quickly progressed, and within eight months, he underwent ostomy surgery after his large intestine deteriorated beyond repair. Now, Collin embraces his experience, sharing insights to help others navigate life with an ostomy.Tammy Lichtman, BSN, RN, CWON, is a seasoned CWON with 15 years of experience, including roles as Regional Wound an

Episode Resources:WOCN Society Pediatrics Community and Ostomy Community for members onlyJWOCN® evidence-based articles on pediatric carePediatric Ostomy Support Group (POGS) by the United Ostomy Associations of America (UOAA)Youth Rally, Pull-thru Network, Crohn's & Colitis Foundation, Girls with Guts, Shadow Buddies Foundation About the Speaker:Michelle Rice, MSN, RN, CWOCN, has been a WOC nurse since 1999 and currently practices at Duke University Hospital. Michelle’s primary population is pediatrics and focuses on wound care and ostomy care.

Episode Resources:Ostomy Care Management (OCM) ProgramThe Wound, Ostomy, and Continence Nurses Society™ (WOCN®) SocietyThe American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons (ASCRS) About the Guests:Jan Colwell, APRN, CWOCN, FAAN, is an advanced practice nurse certified in wound ostomy and continence care. She most recently practiced at the University of Chicago Medicine providing care to patients with ostomies. She is a past president of the WOCN Society and Friends of Ostomates Worldwide USA, and has contributed to ostomy patient care by editing several ostomy care text books, participated in ostomy research projects, authored multiple ostomy based articles and is the co-section editor of the ostomy section of the Journal of Wound, Ostomy, and Continence Nursing (JWOCN®).Bethany Malone, MD, is a board-certified colon and rectal surgeon based in Fort Worth, TX. She practices broad-based colorectal surgery including screening colonoscopies and treats benign anorectal conditions, hemorrhoids, fecal incontinence, co

Episode Resources:For resources mentioned in this episode, visit the links below.WOCNext® 2024 presentation, “Don’t Just ‘Go with the Flow’! Practice Update for the Management of High Output Fecal Ostomies” - available for on-demand viewing for registered attendeeWOCN members-only communities for online networking threads and professional discussions About the Speaker:Tammy Lichtman, BSN, RN, CWON, is a seasoned CWON with 15 years of experience, including roles as Regional Wound and Ostomy Director for home health in Florida and owner of her own consulting business. Her background includes surgical nursing at the Cleveland Clinic and leadership positions at AdventHealth, where she managed the wound/ostomy program across multiple campuses.

Episode Resources:For resources mention in this article, visit the links below:Maura’s Abstract & ePoster: Skin Care Champion Program at a South Jersey Teaching Hospital's Progressive Care UnitAlicia’s Abstract & ePoster: An Educational Intervention Differentiating Between Pressure Injuries and End-of-Life WoundsWOCNext 2024 PicturesWOCNext website About the Guests:Alicia Perez Varela has been a registered nurse since 2017 and earned her wound care certification in 2021. She attended WOCNext® for the first time in 2024. Alicia currently works at an outpatient advanced wound care and hyperbaric clinic and is also a member of the inpatient wound care team.Maura Callahan has been a bedside nurse for 8 years, with experience in Long Term Care, Home Care, and Acute Care in the Progressive Care Unit as a Charge Nurse and Training Preceptor. She is passionate about Wound, Ostomy, and Continence Care and completed the Rutgers University-Camden Wound Ostomy Continence Nursing Education Program. This training h

Episode Resources:For resources mention in this article, visit the links belowAbstract: “Going With the Flow” to Develop a Robust External Female Catheter Implementation ProcessePoster: Going With the Flow” to Develop a Robust External Female Catheter Implementation ProcessArticle: Implementation of an external female urinary catheter strategy on prevention of skin breakdown in acute care: A quality improvement studyWound Treatment Associate (WTA) ProgramOstomy Care Associate (OCA) ProgramWOC Nursing Education Programs accredited by the WOCN Society About the Speakers:Cecilia Zamarripa, PhD, RN, CWON, is a Wound, Ostomy and Continence (WOC) Nurse for 38 years and currently manages the WOC Nursing Department at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. Prior to that, Cece practiced WOC Nursing at Baylor University Medical Center Dallas, Texas; Rush University Medical Center; and at the UPMC since 1997.Cece has been involved as a clinical preceptor for nurses in a WOCNEP and in Nursing Education roles. In 20

Episode Resources:For resources mentioned in this episode, visit the links below:Local Coverage Determination (LCD) for Ostomy Supplies document L33828 located on cms.govUOAA Support Group Finder About the Speaker:Stephanie Yates MSN, RN, ANP-BC, CWOCN, WOCNF, is a master’s prepared Nurse Practitioner and consultant, educated at UNC - Chapel Hill, and Duke University. She received WOC nursing education at Emory University. Stephanie practiced for many years in acute care, home health, long term care and at the Duke Wound Management Clinic and Duke Cancer Center. She is a Past President of the WOCN® Society and she led or participated on three consensus conferences related to MARSI. She co-authored several journal articles on MARSI as well as co-edited the second edition of the WOCN Core Curriculum-Wound Care. She has lectured on wound care topics locally, regionally, and nationally. She was recently inducted as a Fellow in the WOCN Society.

Episode Resources:Connect with Janice on the WOCN Community platform.Post ostomy clinic questions in the ostomy community and/or professional practice community. About the Speakers:Janice Erbe Gorski, DNP, APNP, FNP-BC, CWON-AP, is an ostomy nurse practitioner who is employed at the Medical College of Wisconsin as a lead Ostomy APP. She is responsible for the development of the ostomy program and works in both the inpatient and outpatient clinic settings. In her role, Janice opened a nurse practitioner led ostomy clinic which has dramatically grown to support two dedicated ostomy nurse practitioners.Janice became certified as a wound ostomy nurse in 2008 and received her Doctorate of Nursing Practice in 2020. She is active with the Wound Ostomy Continence Nursing Society at both the Chapter and National levels. She is the current president of the North Central Chapter. Additionally, she serves on the United Ostomy Associations of America (UOAA) Education Committee.

Episode Resources:Journey of WOC Nursing through the DecadesYouth RallyUnited Ostomy Associations of America (UOAA)Crohn’s and Colitis FoundationKristin's blog: Gutless Wonder Woman About the Speakers:Paula Erwin-Toth, MSN, RN, CWOCN, CNS, FAAN, has over 30 years of experience in wound, ostomy and continence care. She is a well-known author, lecturer and patient advocate who is dedicated to improving the care of people with wounds, ostomies and incontinence in the US and abroad. Paula completed her basic nursing education in 1978 at the Akron City Hospital’s Idabelle Firestone School of Nursing, she received her (WOC)ET education at the Cleveland Clinic’s RB Turnbull, Jr. School of Enterostomal Therapy in 1982; her BSN and MSN were awarded in 1986 and 1990, respectively, by the University of Akron in Ohio. Paula served as the Director of WOCN Nursing Education at the Cleveland Clinic in Cleveland, Ohio, from 1990-2012 and served as Director Emerita of that program. In 2012, Paula received the Lifetime Achieve

Episode Resources:For resources mentioned in this episode, including organizations where you can donate unused ostomy supplies, visit the links below:Friends of Ostomates Worldwide-USA (FOW)Friends of Ostomates Worldwide (Canada) (FOWC)United Ostomy Associations of America (UOAA) Support Group finderAmerican Cancer SocietyUSC Center for Inflammatory Bowel Disease About the Speaker:Janice Colwell, APRN, CWOCN, FAAN, is an advanced practice nurse certified in wound ostomy and continence care. She most recently practiced at the University of Chicago Medicine providing care to patients with ostomies. She is a past president of the WOCN Society and Friends of Ostomates Worldwide USA, and has contributed to ostomy patient care by editing several ostomy care textbooks, participating in ostomy research projects, authoring multiple ostomy-based articles, and is the co-section editor of the ostomy section of the Journal of Wound, Ostomy, and Continence Nursing (JWOCN).