Anne Blevins Named National Outstanding Researcher for 2009

Cincinnati - Anne Blevins, BSN, RN, WCC, WOCN, Wound Care Clinical Coordinator at Drake Center, was named 2009 Outstanding Researcher in Wound Care by the National Alliance of Wound Care (NAWC) at its annual meeting in Las Vegas, Nevada, September 10-12. NAWC is a multi-disciplinary professional organization for wound care certification and membership offering credentialing to nurses, therapists, physicians and their assistants.

"Anne is a passionate nurse specialist and progressive researcher who has helped shape our advanced wound care program," said Karen Bankston, Chief Site Executive. "We are extremely proud to have her at Drake."

Criteria for the award includes collaboration, communication and mentoring in advanced wound care all of which Blevins is actively involved. She has authored and co-authored numerous clinical posters and case studies published in recent issues of wound care journals and presented at several wound care conferences. She promotes utilization of research with patient care at Drake, and is currently working with the research and development staff of a national vendor on the design and usage of equipment for negative pressure therapy on wounds.

Blevins, who lives in Maineville with her husband, Tony, and three children, was nominated by co-worker LuAnn Reed, Clinical Manager of the Advanced Wound Care Program. Reed received similar national honors in 2007 when she was named first-ever Outstanding Wound Care-Certified Nurse of the Year and first-ever Outstanding Wound Care Researcher of the year.

Drake's wound care team is the only one of its kind in the country whose staff is wound care certified and dedicated entirely to wound care. The team has achieved better outcomes than national benchmarks by healing wounds three times faster. This expertise has led to the creation of an annual nursing wound care seminar at Drake entitled, "Strategies in Wound Care Management." This year's conference is November 4. CEUs are available. For more information, call 513-418-9483.

Drake Center is the leading provider of specialized medical and rehabilitative care in the region, offering a complete range of inpatient and outpatient care. Services include long-term acute care, transitional skilled nursing, assisted living and various outpatient and wellness services. For more information, visit www.DrakeCenter.com or call 513-418-2500.