Enhancing Patient Care in Peripheral Arterial Disease:
A Micro and Macro Assessment Approach
Speakers
Dr. M. Mark Melin
Speaker
M. Mark Melin MD FACS RPVI FACCWS, is a Wound Care Specialist at the Wound Clinic, Gonda Vascular Center of the Mayo Clinic, Rochester MN. His many interests and educational niches include management of lymphedema in the wounded patient,emerging technologies in wound products and wound technologies, and research and educational activities within the Wound Healing Institute and at regional and national meetings.
He is part of a team performing research regarding fluid shifts using noninvasive evaluation options to assess human physiology in a spaceflight analogue (Nova Southeastern University, Ft. Lauderdale, Florida). He is interested and researches the human physiology and adaptability of spaceflight to the applicability for countermeasure development for patients in a 1G wound environment.
Dr. Melin completed his General Surgery residency and Vascular Fellowship at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester Minnesota.
Dr. Alton R. Johnson Jr.
Moderator
Alton R. Johnson Jr. DPM, DAPBM, FACPM, FASPS, CWSP is a Clinical Assistant Professor, Podiatrist, Podiatric Surgeon, and Wound Care Specialist. He is also Director of Social Media Communications & Digital Content Creation; Attending Physician, Podiatric Limb Preservation, Wound Care and Diabetes; Related Lower Extremity Complication Fellowship; Attending Physician, Endocrinology Fellowship; in the Department of Internal Medicine – Division of Metabolism, Endocrinology & Diabetes, at Michigan Medicine – University of Michigan Medical School.
Alton is also an Attending Physician, Family Medicine Residency in the Department of Family Medicine at Michigan Medicine- University of Michigan Medical School, and a Principal Investigator/Lead Innovator in the Virtual Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Healthcare Careers Initiative, and a Diversity Fund Faculty Grant Recipient at The University of Michigan Medical School.
He is Chair of the Board of Directors of the American Society of Podiatric Surgeons. In 2022 he was an American Podiatric Medical Association President’s Award Recipient, a Kent State University College of Podiatric Medicine Young Physician Professional Achievement Awardee, and an Association for the Advancement of Wound Care (AAWC) Emerging Leader Awardee.
He received his Post-Doctoral Certificate in Clinical Research from Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, his Doctor of Podiatric Medicine (DPM) from Kent State University, and Bachelor of Science, Biology; Minor in Chemistry from Barry University.
Karen Bauer
Speaker
Dr. Karen Bauer is a Wound Board Certified Nurse Practitioner. She graduated with a B.A. in Sociology from the University of Toledo, an M.S. from The Ohio State University and a Doctorate of Nursing Practice from The University of Toledo. She has been practicing as a wound nurse practitioner for 17 years with a limb salvage focus and in vascular surgery for over 5 years. Karen is the Director of Wound and Vascular Services at UT where she developed and oversees a team of advanced practice providers in the Division of Vascular, Endovascular, and Wound Surgery. She also helped to develop and served as the Program Director at a rural hospital outpatient wound center in Ohio for many years.
She currently practices at the University of Toledo Medical Center and other outreach sites. She is the President of the Society for Vascular Nursing and a long-time Board Member and Fellow of the Association for Advancement of Wound Care where she also serves as the Education Steering Committee Co-Chair. Karen participates on the American Heart Association’s Peripheral Artery Disease National Action Plan Steering Committee. She is an Editorial Board Member for numerous scientific journals and lectures regionally, nationally, and internationally, and is a published writer. IN her free time, she loves to spend time with her daughter, family, and dogs, and is a self-proclaimed foodie.
Dr. Myntti previously led the biomaterials group at Medtronic Surgical Technologies, which developed novel ENT and neurologic products.
He received his Master’s and Doctoral degrees in Materials Science and Engineering, both with honors, from the University of Dayton. In 2007, he received the Medtronic Technical Contributor of the Year for Novus Biofilm Eradication Solution. He has over 40 granted US patents.
Dr. Mathew Regulski
Board Member
Diane Weiss, CPC, CPB, CCP, CHRI, is Vice President, Revenue Integrity, Education and Vendor Relations at RestorixHealth. Previously, she managed a general surgery practice for 10 years in the Greater New Orleans area, where she served as practice manager and was the surgeon’s in-office medical assistant. She was the provider education representative for Pinnacle Medicare Services, providing CMS Medicare Part B provider education and denials management for providers throughout Louisiana and other states within the MAC’s jurisdiction.
During her time with Medicare, Weiss conducted provider education workshops and seminars for specialty societies, coding groups, and medical manager associations. She also served as Ochsner Health System’s internal Medicare consultant for five years before joining RestorixHealth full time.
Weiss serves as an advisory board member for NAHRI. She is a recipient of the Health Ethics Trust “Healthcare Compliance Best Practice Award.”
Educate
Educate the public and health care professionals about evidence-based measures to prevent or delay non-traumatic amputations
Advocate
Advocate on behalf of amputees and populations at an increased risk for amputations
Communicate
Increase communication to and among health care professionals who treat amputees or those at risk for amputation, in order to facilitate early, expedited, and appropriate referrals
Prevention Through Better Policy
Educating patients, caregivers and clinicians on prevention and advocacy is our number one job. However, policy changes at the hospital, clinic and government levels will be necessary to combat obstacles such as access to affordable care, financial disincentives for limb preservation, and structural inequities in public insurance which limit preventative diagnostics and procedures. Our vision is to positively impact policy at all levels.
History of The Save A Leg, Save A Life Foundation
The Save A Leg, Save A Life Foundation was incorporated in 2015 by Dr. Desmond Bell. Dr. Bell practiced as a wound care specialist and saw many needs that people with non-healing wounds face, including often unnecessary amputation.
Knowing that improvements in technology make preventing amputations achievable, Dr. Bell found that most patients and their caregivers are unaware of the resources that are available that make limb preservation possible.
This 501(c)3 organization once had various regional chapters, however the structure was recently re-organized to allow better focus on the primary mission. To complement this new, clearer focus, our brand has been reimagined to echo the greater impact we must achieve.
The Foundation leaders are a group of dedicated practitioners, specialists and advocates volunteering their time to carry out the work. We will rely on a network of sponsors, donors, providers, and members to fulfill the potential of saving limbs and lives.
People, Not Just Statistics
In Their Own Words
While statistics surrounding diabetes, non-healing wounds, peripheral arterial disease and amputation are alarming, it’s people whose stories and voices must be heard. While every story is different, the challenges each person faces are often very similar. The voices must not remain silent if change for the better is to happen.
