La Grange – Adventist La Grange Memorial Hospital is proud to announce the Sept. 2 grand opening of its new Wound Care Center. Located in the Treatment Pavilion on the hospital campus, the center employs the most technologically advanced wound care therapy to specialize in the treatment of chronic, non-healing wounds.

For most people, cuts and scratches heal within days or weeks. But for those whose natural healing process is hampered, a simple sore can become a complex medical problem. Without proper treatment, these problem wounds can hamper physical activity, quality of life and, in some cases, be debilitating. This growing problem is spurred by the aging of America and the increase in diabetes. Of the 18.5 million Americans with diabetes, an estimated 1.8 million will suffer from a problem wound, experts say.

“We are excited to have added this important service to our continuum of care,” said Karen Gonzalez, clinical coordinator of the Wound Care Center. “Not only does the Wound Care Center complement the quality care already available at the hospital, but it also fills an important need in the community. In the past, people may have had to travel long distances to receive this level of wound care. Now we are able to offer the latest techniques right here in our own community.”

An outpatient, hospital-based program, the Wound Care Center works in conjunction with the patient’s primary care physician, serving as an adjunctive service for the referring physician and specializing in the treatment of problem wounds.

Dr. Fatima Jaffer will serve as the medical director of the program and will be assisted by a team of experienced physicians that specialize in general surgery, infection control, internal medicine, podiatry and orthopedic surgery. Each physician will coordinate an overall care plan for each patient, working in partnership with the patient’s referring physician.

“We are excited to be able to provide this much-needed addition to our program,” Jaffer said. “Our entire multidisciplinary team of physicians and nurses are trained to provide comprehensive treatment and care to the community.”

Open 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., the program operates by appointment and requires a referral from the primary care physician. For more information, call (708) 245-6655 or visit www.keepingyouwell.com.