Wounds Canada is excited to feature its new Grand Rounds webinar with the first in the series entitled Grand Rounds: Stepping Up to Save Limbs and Lives. This premier event will be held on Thursday, April 25th from 6:00-7:30 p.m. EDT with moderator Dr. Ahmed Kayssi and a multidisciplinary panel featuring Linda Laakso, Dr. Amanda Mayo and Lauren Wolfe. and a podiatrist.

Three case studies will be presented and after each of the presentations, the panelists will offer their unique perspectives on the cases and answer questions from the audience.

Participants will be able to:

1. Gain an understanding of lower limb wound data reinforcing the importance of a strong provider, client and system focus on lower limb wound care.

2. Increase their knowledge related to best practices for teaching and supporting persons living with diabetes to prevent lower limb complications.  

3.  Gain awareness of early interventions most effective in addressing lower limb wounds and preventing persistent hard-to-heal wounds, and amputation.

4.  Appreciate how interprofessional team-based care focused on lower limb wounds and their prevention contributes to better client, provider, and system outcomes, including financial outcomes.

Dr. Kayssi subsequently completed a fellowship in limb preservation and wound care under the supervision of Dr. Richard Neville in Fairfax, Virginia. He is a graduate of the Harvard School of Public Health, where he obtained a Master of Public Health focusing on quantitative methods and is currently pursuing a Doctorate of Public Health in Health Policy and Management from the Johns Hopkins School of Public Health.

Linda’s special orthotic interests include management of the diabetic foot and diabetic foot ulcers. She has just completed the Wounds Canada Wounds Care Champion Program (WCCP) for advanced knowledge in wound care and continues to provide care on a daily basis to help people protect and keep their feet from the complications due to diabetes and neuropathy.

Dr. Mayo's research in quality improvement focuses on improving the continuum of care for individuals with limb loss and limb preservation.

Lauren is a certified Wound Ostomy and Continence nurse. She works at Macdonald's Prescriptions, Fairmont location, and Vancouver General Hospital. Lauren's passion for wound care led her to accept a position at FraserHealth in the IHART program as a part-time wound care educator and consultant. She recently joined Wounds Canada as a Faculty member for the Wound Care Champion program.  

Lauren has been interested in limb preservation since working as a WOC nurse in the community, and this passion continued as she transitioned to an acute care setting. She became aware of the number of individuals requiring amputation due to a lack of preventative models and resources. Lauren's goal is to help open a wound clinic that includes limb preservation to ensure individuals receive education and timely care of their lower limb wounds.

In 2011, she received the CRNBC Award for Nursing Excellence; in 2023, she received the Ostomy Canada NSWOC recognition award. She is a dedicated and compassionate wound, ostomy, and continence nurse who strives for excellence in patient care. 

She volunteers for the United Ostomy Association, facilitating multiple support groups.  She is an active writer for the Vancouver Ostomy HighLife and Ostomy Canada magazine. Lauren is an Ostomy Canada Lifestyle advisor for patients.