Healing goes beyond the surface for those with wounds

When Tina Freer broke her leg, she didn’t expect to end up in the hospital battling painful sores and a serious infection. But as her condition worsened and healing stalled, she began to lose hope – until she was referred to AdventHealth Waterman’s Wound Care Center.

“I had almost given up hope,” the Lake County resident said. “The wounds on my legs just wouldn’t get better. The team at Waterman got it under control, and they gave me my life back.”

Freer’s recovery is one of many that led to AdventHealth Waterman receiving the Center of Distinction designation by Healogics, the largest provider of advanced wound care in the country. This national designation is only given to centers showing outstanding results in both patient satisfaction and healing outcomes.

Medical perspective on chronic wounds

The recognition is more than just an honor, it’s a signal to the community that residents have access to a high-performing, lifesaving service right in their backyard.

Some wounds take weeks or even months to heal, especially those tied to conditions like diabetes, poor circulation, or surgical complications. Without the right care, these wounds can lead to serious infections or even amputations.

“We’re not just treating wounds; we’re helping people avoid life-changing consequences,” said Dr. Jason Smith, wound care medical director and chief of surgery for AdventHealth Waterman. “A chronic wound might start as something small, but if it’s not treated the right way, it can grow into something far more serious. What we offer here is a chance to stop that from happening and to help people get back to living their lives.”

Understanding the role of a wound care center

A wound care center is a special place in a hospital where doctors and clinicians treat hard-to-heal wounds, such as those that don’t improve with regular bandages or creams. These include:

• Diabetic foot ulcers
• Pressure ulcers (bedsores)
• Surgical wounds that won’t heal
• Traumatic injuries or burns
• Wounds with infections or poor blood flow
• Damage from cancer treatments like radiation

The team at Waterman uses the latest techniques to help wounds heal, including:

• Negative pressure therapy (using gentle suction to remove fluids)
• Growth factor treatments
• Special dressings and tissue grafts
• Total contact casting for diabetic foot ulcers
• Hyperbaric oxygen therapy

These tools, combined with close monitoring and personalized care, help patients avoid serious complications like infections or even amputations.

A team approach to healing

Nurse practitioner Ashley Concepcion says successful wound care takes more than the right tools – it takes the right mindset.

“Many patients come in feeling hopeless,” said Concepcion. “But with the right treatment and close support, we see incredible turnarounds. Their wounds improve, and so does their outlook. Tina went from fearing she’d never recover to seeing real hope again. That kind of transformation is what makes our work so meaningful.”