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OWM recently spoke with Andrew J. Applewhite, MD, CWS, UHM, and Today’s Wound Clinic editorial board member, to learn about his academic and professional journey in wound care and his most recent accomplishment — ie, being named Medical Director of the Comprehensive Wound Care Center at Baylor Dallas (Dallas, Tex).

     OWM: You attended the University of Texas at Austin and the University of Texas Medical School in Houston. What are some of your most significant experiences as a student?

     Dr. A: The things I remember most about UT Austin were the large, but well taught classes that demanded concentration and independent work. Austin is a great city and provides a great atmosphere to go to college. At the UT Health Science Center at Houston, the quality of the faculty and their interactions with the students impressed me from the beginning. In fact, my biochemistry professor, who was also an Episcopalian priest, presided over my wedding. I also remember being on trauma call with Dr. Red Duke, Chief of Trauma Surgery, Hermann Hospital, UT Health Science Center, Houston, where I had to think quickly and never be surprised by anything.

     OWM: Was there anything in particular at the University of Texas Medical Branch at Conroe that inspired your involvement with wounds — eg, did you have any mentors who guided you along the way?

     Dr. A: There was a large wound and hyperbaric center at Conroe Regional Medical Center that worked closely with the medical residents. I rotated through the wound center and was in awe of the wounds that seemed horrific yet could be healed. Two physicians at the Center — Dr. Robert Warriner and Dr. Brad Pontani — introduced me to wound care and hyperbaric medicine. They have mentored me throughout my career and I am proud to call them both colleagues and friends.

     OWM: After your residency, you moved to Chicago to practice family medicine in the northwest suburbs. There you were involved in the local community by serving as the team physician for three area high school football teams in addition to teaching prenatal classes to expectant parents. What were some things this experience taught you?

     Dr. A: Family medicine taught me to look at the whole patient, including social and family interactions, which has helped me become a better wound doctor. As the team doctor and through teaching educational classes, I learned how I could have an impact on the entire community. I have carried that over into my current practice by giving educational talks to diabetic and hospice groups, volunteering at diabetic fairs, and performing foot screenings. Just as in family medicine, prevention is a key component to wound care.

     OWM: You returned to Dallas in 2003 to devote your full-time practice to the specialty of wounds and HBOT. What successes followed?

     Dr. A: After arriving in Dallas, I was named the first Medical Director of the Methodist Hospital of Dallas Wound Care and Hyperbaric Center, based on my past experiences and ability. As the result of a great team, the center grew in volume, requiring additional exam rooms and a third monoplace chamber by the end of the first year. The team at Methodist strived for excellent healing outcomes and we were able to sustain a greater than 88% heal rate. I earned Certified Wound Specialist status in 2005 and became Board Certified in Undersea and Hyperbaric Medicine in 2006. In 2008, Baylor University Medical Center asked me to become its second Medical Director for their Comprehensive Wound Care and Hyperbaric Center.