Karen A. Wientjes, PT, DPT, MPH, CWS® |
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Happy Spring! I hope this newsletter finds you doing well and enjoying some warmer weather.
The Board of Directors held its annual Spring meeting virtually last week. I am happy to report it was a productive meeting with a great team of multidisciplinary wound care professionals. We discussed initiatives to improve visibility and recognition of the value of the ABWM specialist designations. A special thank you to our ABWM Ambassadors across the country, who continue to help us spread awareness of ABWM and facilitate connections with wound care facilities, professionals, and patients. We are also happy tp report that exam writing and review are well underway for this year.
Exciting changes are happening at ABWM. The transition to our new examination administration partner, Pearson Vue, is now complete. The feedback has been very positive so far. Please keep in mind that exam sites are still operating at reduced capacity due to pandemic restrictions. In light of this, ABWM has continued to offer a more flexible testing window for scheduling exam appointments.
We are also pleased to announce that we will be transitioning to a new online application and certification management system, thanks to a partnership with Certemy. This should make things like managing your ABWM account, applying for a certification exam, paying your annual renewal fees, and keeping track of your continuing education much easier than in the past. You will find more details in the body of the newsletter below.
Finally, a gentle reminder that the 2020/2021 annual renewal season is soon coming to a close. Earlier this year, we decided to extend the final deadline from March 31st to May 1st. Hopefully, this extended deadline has given our Diplomates and Associates some additional time to complete continuing education hours and maintain their credentials. This is also a good time to remind you that there are excellent modules on the ABWM Foundation website that will count toward maintaining your certification. Be sure to check them out. Also, keep an eye out for new information in the next few weeks about how to use a 529 plan toward your continuing education and prep for certification.
As you can see, it has been a busy Spring, with an array of things popping up. Fresh perspectives and lots of hope. I will leave you with this quote from the Dalai Lama, “Just one small positive thought in the morning can change your whole day.”
Make it a good one!
Karen Wientjes, PT, DPT, CWS®
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ABWM Announces New Online Application Platform - Certemy |
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ABWM is pleased to announce a new software system that will make it faster and easier to manage your certification online!
What will the new system let you do?
- Start your annual renewal from our website
- Complete your renewal online, using any phone or computer
- Upload and manage your certification files and documents online in a “Digital Wallet”
- Pay your renewal fee online - or upload proof of physical payment
- Receive email reminders that keep you on time and on task so you never forget something
- Apply for your 10 Year Recertification Exam online
- Receive email alerts when we have reviewed and approved your submissions
- Receive a digital copy of your certificate upon completion
When can you start using the new system?
We currently expect the new system to go live on May 10th. We will let you know if the date changes.
NEXT STEPS
If you are currently certified with us, look out for an email with further information in the first week of May. It will tell you how to log into the system to review your current information and start your renewal when the time comes.
Got questions?
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ABWM Happy Hour - All Diplomates and Associates Welcome! |
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ABWM Diplomates and Associates are cordially invited to a networking happy hour on the evening of Wednesday, May 19th at 8pm ET/7pm CT/5pm PT. This event will be a great opportunity to meet fellow certified wound care providers and learn how to make some delicious cocktails! This is ABWM's way of expressing our appreciation and gratitude for our Associates and Diplomates, and we very much hope to see you there!
The Details:
We will be partnering with Liquor Lab to send attendees a cocktail kit in advance of the event, stocked with everything you need to make two delicious seasonal cocktails. A bartender will be joining us live during the event to walk us through the cocktail making process step-by-step. Between cocktail making sessions, attendees will break out into smaller chat rooms, to network with other wound care professionals. Attendees can also participate in some friendly competitions to win spot prizes throughout the night!
Unfortunately due to shipping limitations, we can only send cocktail kits to attendees within the United States. Diplomates from other locations are still more than welcome to participate in the event. ABWM will provide a list of the required cocktail ingredients in advance of the event.
RSVP:
To RSVP for this unique networking opportunity, please fill in your details by clicking on the button below. Space is limited so please sign up early! Registration closes on Thursday, May 6th, or when all of the spots have been filled. Once registration closes, you will receive a calendar invite from ABWM with a link to access the event.
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Congratulations to everyone who was recently certified! The ABWM would like to recognize all newly certified Associates and Diplomates who received their CWCA®, CWS®, or CWSP® credentials from February 5th to April 15th 2021.

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Share Your Story on ABWM Social Media |
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The American Board of Wound Management would like to feature currently certified CWCA, CWS and CWSPs on our social media. We want to hear what inspired you to become wound care specialists in the first place, and how your ABWM certification has helped you to achieve your career goals.
If you are interested in being featured, or would like to nominate a friend or colleague to be featured, please fill out a short survey by clicking on the link below.
We look forward to hearing from you!
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ABWM Foundation Scholarships |
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In an effort to further increase accessibility to certification, the ABWM Foundation offers scholarships to cover the cost of a candidate’s initial certification examination fee for exams offered by the American Board of Wound Management (CWCA®, CWS®, CWSP®). Up to 10 certification exam scholarships will be offered annually, and applications will be reviewed by the ABWM Foundation Board of Trustees during their board meetings.
Review/Submission Periods:
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To be Reviewed on July 8: Submit by July 1
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To be Reviewed on November 16: Submit by November 1
Eligibility:
- Scholarships are open to candidates meeting the eligibility criteria for certification set forth by the American Board of Wound Management.
- Scholarships are only available to first-time candidates. Scholarships will not be available for retesting, rescheduling, or re-certifying candidates.
- A copy of the candidate’s most recent tax return will be required with application.
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ABWM Foundation Scholarship |
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Harold Johnson L. Memorial Scholarship |
Candidates for this scholarship must demonstrate the highest character and the desire to serve others through a history of volunteerism. Preference will be given to those who have served honorably in the Armed Forces.
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American Board of Wound Management
1800 M Street NW, Suite 400S
Washington, DC 20036
Email: info@abwmcertified.org
Phone: 202-457-8408
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