UKIAH, Calif. – Two progressive physicians have recently joined the Advanced Wound Center (AWC) at Ukiah Valley Medical Center (UVMC), William Cress, M.D., general surgeon, and Jeffrey Rapp, M.D., emergency and occupational medicine physician – increasing the number of panel doctors to eight.

“We are excited to welcome Dr. Cress and Dr. Rapp to our center,” said AWC Director Jared Chaney. “They each bring a unique set of skills and years of experience to allow us to continue evolving and developing progressive forms of treatment.”

Chaney went on to say, “Having a total of eight physicians at the center enables us to expand our hours of operation, giving us the opportunity to meet our patient’s scheduling needs.”

Regarding his decision to join the AWC, Dr. Cress said, “With my experience as a general surgeon, I have treated numerous wounds throughout my career. Working at the AWC has opened my eyes to new ways of treating wounds that have until this point been difficult to heal. Treatments such as Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) and bioengineered skin grafts have significantly increased healing rates in the patients we see at the AWC.”

Cress continued, “I am really excited to be working with an experienced team of professionals who bring a diversified set of skills to our team at the AWC.”

Dr. Rapp, whose been practicing as an emergency and occupational medicine physician in Ukiah since 1990, is looking forward to his work at the AWC. “Wound care has become a dynamic field and the success rate of the AWC has been in the 96th percentile.”

The progressive treatment methods at the AWC were also a draw to Dr. Rapp. “To be perfectly honest, I was initially drawn to the HBOT due to my inherent interest in scuba diving – an activity I immensely enjoy. Being able to apply the healing aspects of oxygenation to wounds through the use of HBOT has been extremely rewarding.”

Since the AWC opened in February of 2012 it has helped heal wounds through the use of HBOT and other methods.

General surgeon and medical director of the AWC, Frederick Burris, M.D. pointed out, “Without this service many of those affected by hard to heal wounds would most likely need to have an amputation at some point. The AWC gives them hope and truly have a positive impact on the communities we serve by helping to heal and reduce the need for amputation.”

As is the case with recent patient Joseph Fuentes, of Lake County, who previous to having treatment in the AWC was in a wheelchair and in need of an amputation to stop a bone infection in his foot.

“When I first started coming to the wound center, I didn’t think there was any hope and thought amputation was the only way,” Fuentes said. “I wasn’t able to walk, and now my foot is healed and I can walk on my own.”

Fuentes recently shared his experience at the AWC with HBOT on camera. Fuentes wanted to express his thankfulness and share his experience with others who may be needlessly suffering from a wound that can be healed.

The AWC is an outpatient facility that focuses on chronic and non-healing wounds. Using advanced treatment methods and a case management model, they help patients improve the quality of their lives. HBOT works by providing oxygen for the healing wound. Individuals who have health issues, such as diabetes, can’t always deliver oxygen the way they should, hence affecting the way their bodies heal wounds.

The wound treatment team, including physicians, nurses, and technicians, provide invaluable care for patients to prevent the loss of limbs and reduce the incidence of recurring wounds.

The AWC is located at 415 Hospital Drive in Ukiah.

For more information about the services available at the AWC please call 707-467-5230 or visit www.uvmc.org/wound .