Find your place in wound care

Building Connections, Advancing Care

Join a multidisciplinary community committed to advancing wound care through education, advocacy, professional recognition, and collaboration.

APWCA membership connects healthcare professionals across specialties who are committed to improving patient outcomes through education, collaboration, advocacy, and professional development.

Whether you are a physician, nurse, podiatrist, therapist, advanced practice provider, researcher, educator, or other healthcare professional involved in wound care, APWCA provides opportunities to learn, connect, and contribute to the advancement of the profession.

What Members
Are Saying

Members value APWCA for the clinical connections, advocacy, andmultidisciplinary perspective they cannot find anywhere else.s

Who Can Join APWCA?

APWCA welcomes healthcare professionals involved in the prevention, treatment, and management of acute, chronic, and complex wounds. Membership brings together clinicians from a wide range of specialties who share a commitment to advancing wound care through education, collaboration, professional development, and evidence-informed patient care.

Healthcare professionals who may benefit from APWCA membership include:1:50 PMrevise the bullets to be these:

Choose the option
that fits you.

Membership dues are based on your professional status. Credentialeddesignations are reviewed separately after membership eligibility is confirmed.

01

MOST SELECTED

Physician
Member

For practicing physicians and podiatrists holding an MD, DO, or DPM
degree.

$195

PER YEAR

Select physician membership

02

CLINICAL PROFESSIONALS

Non-Physician Member

For NPs, PAs, nurses, therapists, researchers, educators, and other qualified professionals.

$135

PER YEAR

Select non-physician membership

03

IN TRAINING

Student, Resident or Clinical Fellow

For professionals currently completing an eligible education or clinical training program.

$25

PER YEAR

Select trainee membership

04

STAY CONNECTED

Retired
Member

For retired wound care professionals who want to remain connected to APWCA and the field.

$65

PER YEAR

Select retired membership

Membership Categories & Designations

Fellow (FAPWCA)

For: Prescribing physicians (MD, DO, DPM) (put this small with italics under the title in the box)
Recognizes physicians who are certified in wound care, maintain active licensure, and meet APWCA membership and continuing education requirements.

 
 

Diplomate (DAPWCA)

For: Non-physician clinicians and qualified researchers (put smaller font with italics under the title)
Recognizes nurse practitioners, physician assistants, nurses, therapists, PhD researchers, and other healthcare professionals who hold wound care certification and meet APWCA membership requirements

Master (MAPWCA)

For: Distinguished leaders in wound care (add this with italics font and smaller under the title)
Awarded to individuals whose contributions to wound care through leadership, education, research, advocacy, or clinical practice have significantly advanced the specialty. Master designation is conferred through Board approval.

The above are credentialed members are able to use the following designations after their degree with their signature, eg.: John Doe, MD, FAPWCA.

Maintain your
professional standing.

Credentialed membership reflects an ongoing commitment tolicensure, experience, education, and active participation.

01

Maintain professional licensure

Hold an active state license appropriate to your profession.

02

Demonstrate clinical experience

Have at least two years of wound care experience. Physician residency may apply where appropriate.

03

Complete continuing education

Eam at least 21 hours of wound care education every three years through approved activities.

04

Maintain active membership

Renew annually and remain in good standing with applicable APWCA requirements,

Membership Requirements

To maintain credentialed membership, members are expected to:

Membership Benefits

Built for how you practice and grow.

APWCA membership supports your professional standing, clinical knowledge, voice in the field, and connection to the wider wound care community.

Professional Recognition

Advance your professional standing through APWCA membership, credentialed designations, and opportunities that recognize clinical expertise, leadership, and commitment to excellence in wound care.

Education

Expand your clinical knowledge through conferences, quarterly webinars, the Wound Care Review Course, continuing education, and other learning opportunities designed for wound care professionals.

Advocacy & Representation

Stay informed on reimbursement, regulatory developments, policy initiatives, and advocacy efforts that support clinicians and improve patient access to evidence-informed wound care.

Professional Community

Connect with a multidisciplinary network of clinicians through Special Interest Groups, educational events, conferences, and collaborative professional engagement.

Frequently Asked Questions

Still unsure which option fits? Contact the APWCA team and we will help you determine the right path.

Who is eligible for APWCA membership?

Membership is open to physicians, podiatrists, nurses, advanced practice providers, therapists, researchers, educators, students, and other healthcare professionals involved in wound prevention, wound healing, and related specialties.

No. Membership is available to qualified healthcare professionals involved in wound care. Certain credentialed membership designations may have additional certification requirements.

APWCA recognizes three credentialed membership designations:

  • Fellow (FAPWCA)
  • Diplomate (DAPWCA)
  • Master (MAPWCA)

Each designation has specific eligibility requirements related to professional credentials, certification, experience, and contributions to the field.

Benefits may include professional designations, educational resources, conference discounts, access to wound care news and updates, professional networking opportunities, advocacy representation, collaboration opportunities, and subscriptions to select member resources.

Yes. APWCA is a multidisciplinary organization that welcomes healthcare professionals from a variety of disciplines, including nurses, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, therapists, researchers, educators, and other allied health professionals.

No. APWCA promotes collaboration across disciplines and membership categories. Members have equal opportunities to participate in committees, contribute ideas, serve in leadership roles, and engage in organizational initiatives.

Credentialed members are required to maintain continuing education requirements as outlined by APWCA. Current requirements include a minimum of 21 hours of wound care continuing education every three years.

Prospective members can complete the APWCA membership application and select the membership category that best aligns with their professional background and qualifications.

Every Member Has a Voice

APWCA believes that multidisciplinary collaboration strengthens the wound care profession. Membership category does not affect a member's ability to participate in committees, leadership opportunities, or organizational initiatives.

All members have equal opportunities to contribute, serve, lead, and help shape the future direction of the association.

Apply for Membership

Jeffrey A. Niezgoda

MD, MAPWCA,FACP, FIDSA, FUHMS, CW

Dr. Jeffrey Niezgoda is a nationally recognized leader in wound care, hyperbaric medicine, limb preservation, and regenerative medicine with more than 30 years of clinical experience. He is the Past President of the American Professional Wound Care Association (APWCA) and the American College of Hyperbaric Medicine.

Dr. Niezgoda has directed advanced wound care and hyperbaric programs, contributed to medical device development and clinical research, and served in leadership roles supporting innovation in wound management technologies and patient care. His expertise includes wound healing, vascular care, hyperbaric medicine, and regenerative clinical services.

Barbara Delmore

PhD, RN, CWCN, MAPWCA

Dr. Barbara Delmore is a board-certified wound care nurse, researcher, educator, and Senior Nurse Scientist at NYU Langone Health. With more than 35 years of nursing experience, she specializes in pressure injury prevention, chronic wound management, and evidence-based wound care practices.

Dr. Delmore has authored numerous publications, served on professional advisory boards, and received national recognition for her contributions to wound care research, education, and clinical innovation.

Jeffrey Lehrman

DPM, FASPS, MAPWCA

Dr. Jeffrey Lehrman is a nationally recognized expert in wound care documentation, coding, compliance, and podiatric medicine. Through Lehrman Consulting, LLC, he provides education and guidance related to healthcare coding, reimbursement, and regulatory compliance.

Dr. Lehrman serves as a staff liaison at the AMA CPT® Editorial Panel meetings and has held leadership positions within APWCA and other professional organizations focused on wound care and podiatric surgery.

Mark Melin

MD, FACS, RPVI, FACCWS

Dr. Mark Melin is a Senior Associate Consultant at the Mayo Clinic specializing in wound care, vascular medicine, and advanced wound healing technologies. His clinical expertise includes vascular assessment, chronic wound management, and emerging technologies in wound care.

Dr. Melin actively contributes to research, education, and advancements in wound healing practices focused on improving patient outcomes and interdisciplinary care.

Kathya Zinszer

DPM, FAPWCA

Dr. Kathya Zinszer is a podiatric physician specializing in diabetic foot care, wound management, limb preservation, and public health advocacy. She currently serves at Geisinger Medical Center and has extensive experience in both clinical practice and wound care education.

Dr. Zinszer has contributed to wound care publications, professional organizations, and clinical guideline initiatives related to diabetic foot management and wound prevention strategies.

Thomas E. Serena

MD, FACS, FACHM, MAPWCA

Dr. Thomas Serena is an internationally recognized wound care specialist, researcher, educator, and founder of The SerenaGroup®. He has established wound care centers throughout the United States and internationally and has led more than 100 clinical trials focused on wound healing and advanced therapies.

Dr. Serena has authored hundreds of scientific publications, delivered lectures worldwide, and held leadership positions within multiple wound care organizations, including APWCA, the Wound Healing Society, and the American College of Hyperbaric Medicine.