Callie Clowdus, LPN, and Laurel Waldrop, NP, of the Division of Surgical Oncology graduated from the UAB Wound Scholars Advanced Program on May 14, 2026.
The Wound Scholar Advanced Program is a two-year, competitive professional development program that prepares licensed clinicians to serve as resources, mentors, and educators in wound care. Originally developed by the UAB Division of Trauma and Acute Care Surgery’s Wound, Ostomy and Continence Team, the course is now offered in collaboration with UAB’s Department of Interprofessional Practice and Training. It trains participants to lead evidence-based wound care prevention and treatment for hospitalized adults – addressing a growing demand for bedside expertise in managing wounds, pressure injuries, and related skin care needs.
Over the course of the program, Clowdus and Waldrop completed monthly continuing education sessions, hands-on clinical rotations with the Wound, Ostomy, and Continence Team, simulation training, and the Wound Treatment Associate online curriculum. As advanced scholars, both Clowdus and Waldrop also designed and led a process improvement project focused on wound or skin care in their practice area.
"Patients often have wounds that need careful, evidence-based management throughout their hospitalizations. The training deepened my ability to tailor care to each patient and to support the rest of our team in doing the same," said Waldrop.
Wound care knowledge holds particular relevance in surgical oncology, where patients face an elevated risk of wound-related complications from surgical incisions, the effects of chemotherapy and radiation, and prolonged recovery periods.
"Wound complications can significantly impact the trajectory of healing for our patients after surgery. Having Callie and Laurel return to the division with this level of training means we can prevent and manage those issues more proactively," said Sushanth Reddy, M.D., interim director of the Division of Surgical Oncology. "Their expertise will also extend across the entire division as they mentor and teach the rest of our team. That ripple effect is what makes this program so valuable for our patients."
"In surgical oncology, small wounds or skin issues can become bigger problems quickly. This program gave me the knowledge to recognize those concerns earlier and to start the right interventions before they progress," said Clowdus.
With their graduation, Clowdus and Waldrop expand the Division of Surgical Oncology's capacity to deliver specialized wound care to patients before, during, and after surgery.