At the 2026 Symposium on Advanced Wound Care (SAWC), Women in Wound Care (WIWC) announced its launch as the first nonprofit organization dedicated to elevating women in wound care science. The initiative seeks to build a professional community where clinicians, researchers, scientists, and industry professionals can collaborate to advance the science of healing. By focusing on connection, elevation, education, mentorship, leadership, and innovation, WIWC addresses a critical gap in a field where women are often underrepresented in leadership roles despite comprising a significant portion of the workforce.
The organization's mission is centered on improving patient outcomes through enhanced leadership development, mentorship and sponsorship, education and knowledge exchange, cross-disciplinary collaboration, and recognition. This approach recognizes that wound care requires both clinical excellence and innovation, and that women bring powerful insight to both. As founding member Dawn Shepherd (BSN, RN, CWCN, CFCN) stated, "We created Women in Wound Care to ensure women across the wound care community are not only seen, but supported to lead." She added that connecting expertise with mentorship and opportunity strengthens the science of healing and ultimately improves outcomes for patients who depend on wound care professionals.
Dr. Christine Grogan, another founding member, emphasized the importance of a collaborative ecosystem: "Wound care requires both clinical excellence and innovation, and women bring powerful insight to both. This nonprofit was created to build a collaborative ecosystem where women can elevate their influence through education, mentorship, and meaningful professional connection." The implications of this launch extend beyond individual career advancement; by fostering a diverse and inclusive community, WIWC aims to drive innovation and improve the quality of care for patients with wounds, a growing concern given aging populations and rising rates of chronic conditions such as diabetes.
WIWC is actively seeking funding to support its educational initiatives, including wound care curriculum development, scholarships, and grants. The organization has already received support from Nova Medical LLC and Kent Imaging, and it hopes that other industry members will follow suit. This financial backing is crucial for sustaining programs that will mentor the next generation of wound care leaders and facilitate knowledge exchange across disciplines. For those interested in learning more or contributing, further information is available at www.womeninwoundcare.org.
As a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit charitable foundation founded in 2026 by Dawn Shepherd, Dr. Cyaandi Dove, and Dr. Christine Grogan, WIWC represents a significant step toward gender equity in wound care science. The organization's focus on mentorship and sponsorship is particularly important, as these factors have been shown to accelerate career advancement and increase representation in leadership. By creating a dedicated community, WIWC not only supports women currently in the field but also aims to attract and retain talent, ensuring that the wound care workforce is equipped to meet future challenges.
Ultimately, the launch of Women in Wound Care signals a shift toward a more inclusive and collaborative approach to wound care science. By elevating women's influence and fostering cross-disciplinary partnerships, the nonprofit is poised to drive meaningful improvements in patient care. Its success will depend on broad engagement from clinicians, researchers, industry partners, and donors who share the vision of advancing the science of healing through diversity and inclusion.
