Caption: Richard Ahern, left, director of the Wound Healing Center at Saint Mary’s Hospital, receives the National Healing Corporation’s Program Director of the Year Award from Jim Tyler, chief operating and financial officer.

For the past four years, Saint Mary’s Hospital has partnered with National Healing Corporation, a national leader in wound care, to bring the latest technologies and concepts in wound treatment to patients right here in Waterbury.

Recently, Richard Ahern, director of the Wound Healing Center at Saint Mary’s Hospital, was honored as National Healing Corporation’s Program Director of the Year for the excellent service he provides.

Ahern is responsible for all aspects of the Wound Healing Center’s operations including ensuring the quality of patient care and compliance with federal and state guidelines.
“There are tremendous advances being made in the field of wound care and part of my job is to take that research from the laboratory bench to the bedside of a patient,” Ahern said. “I accept this award on behalf of my tireless team that is totally dedicated to making a difference in the lives of our patients.”

Located on the second floor of the hospital, the Wound Healing Center is staffed by a specialized team of nine physicians and surgeons as well as nurses and technicians who collaborate to produce the best possible patient outcomes. On average, 86 percent of patients who come to the center with chronic wounds that have resisted traditional treatment achieve successful results in 12 to 18 weeks.

“We’re very proud of the care we deliver on a consistent basis,” Ahern said, noting the results of patient surveys reflect the high quality care and attentiveness that are provided at the center.

“The entire staff is just superb!” one patient wrote. “They kept my spirits up during the entire healing process.”

Saint Mary's Wound Healing Center specializes in the treatment of chronic wounds and provides hyperbaric oxygen therapy, which is particularly effective if patients suffer from radiation damage or face the possibility of amputation. Specialized wound care can also help patients with diabetic ulcers, pressure ulcers, infections and compromised skin grafts.

For more information, please call (203) 709-3000.