Dermatology: Specialty Clinic Update - Wound Care Centre

The WCH Wound Care Centre is recognized nationally and internationally for its expertise in wound care. We have developed the treatment model and the standard of care for wound healing, wound-related education, and innovative patient care. The Wound Care Centre takes an interdisciplinary approach, involving health professionals from a variety of fields. All types of chronic wounds are treated.

Dr. Gary Sibbald established the wound clinic in 1995. It has grown to an interdisciplinary clinic with 7 physicians, 2 chiropodist and 2 specialty wound nurses. The clinic operates Tuesday through Thursday. Dr. Evans is a family physician and the medical director of the clinic since 2010. Dr. Sibbald and Dr. Alavi are both dermatologists. Dr. Ott is a geriatrician. New to the clinic this year is Dr. Chien, a family physician/hospitalist and Dr. Ahmed Kayssi, a vascular surgeon. Also joining the clinic as a consultant in infectious disease Dr. Chris Kandle.  Unfortunately Dr. Cheung, a geriatrician, has recently left the clinic to pursue other opportunities.

The majority of wounds referred to the clinic are complex chronic diabetic, arterial and venous ulcers as well pressure injury (formerly pressure ulcers). Dr. Alavi has a special interest in Hidradenitis Suppurativa and Pyoderma Gangrenosum. A specialized clinic for these disorders will be operating once per month as subspecialty clinic within the wound clinic.

Many of the wounds managed at the clinic have an arterial component and bony involvement. Timely referrals are managed by the vascular surgeons at Sunnybrook and Toronto General Hospital. Orthopedics at Toronto Western Hospital supports patients with complex foot deformities and bone infections. These associations have become an integral part of the clinic.

In November the Ministry of Health announced funding for off-loading for patients with diabetic foot ulcers. After a site visit to Women’s College, the wound clinic was designated as a site to receive the funding for the application of total contact casting. This is a critical component for the management of diabetic foot ulcers to ultimately prevent amputations.  

Dr. Kayssi has a strong research interest in clinical trials and quality improvement and has committed to coordinate the research projects for the wound clinic. 

Wound care is a specialty that crosses many disciplines. The clinic is committed to promote education to nurses, medical trainees and residents.