Resources

Click here to learn about United Ostomy Associates of America (UOAA) National Quality Ostomy Care Campaign, including the Ostomy and Continent Diversion Patient Bill of Rights,.

Click here to view a list of patient resources that the WOCN Society has curated, including services, products, and publications. You can also bookmark and/or share the following web address with your colleagues and patients: IDeserveaWOCNurse.com.

Click here to view and use the Peristomal Skin Assessment Guide for Clinicians and Consumers,. You can also bookmark and/or share the following web address with your colleagues and patients: psag.wocn.org.

Click here to learn more about Janet’s session at WOCNext® 2025, “I Have an Ostomy, Where can I go?: Challenges of Setting Up An Ostomy Clinic,.”

The WOCN Society, in collaboration with the American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons (ASCRS) and the American Urological Association (AUA), developed the educational resources to assist clinicians in selecting an effective stoma site. Click here to review these resources.

If you're a healthcare professional looking to deepen your knowledge of ostomy care, explore the joint WOCN and ASCRS Ostomy Care Management (OCM) Program—an evidence-based, online education designed to enhance care delivery and improve outcomes for individuals living with an ostomy. Click here to learn more.

Journal of Wound, Ostomy, and Continence Nursing (JWOCN®) articles referenced in this episode:
Bridging the Gap: Perceived Educational Needs in the Inpatient to Home Care Setting for the Person With a New Ostomy

Lessons Learned About Peristomal Skin Complications Secondary Analysis of the ADVOCATE Trial

Ostomy and Continent Diversion Patient Bill of Rights Research Validation of Standards of Care

Other articles referenced in this episode: 
The ostomy leak impact tool: development and validation of a new patient-reported tool to measure the burden of leakage in ostomy device users

Impact of stoma leakage in everyday life: data from the Ostomy Life Study 2019

Factors impairing quality of life for people with an ostomy

About the Speaker
Janet has enjoyed 40 years in WOC Nursing. Although her early nursing career focus was critical care as a certified critical care registered nurse she certified as a CWOCN in 1985. In 1996, she embarked in a private WOC practice, first as a partnership and then as sole proprietor practicing across the continuum with a focus on ostomy care coupled with a passion for patients attaining their desirable quality of life. Janet worked in outpatient ostomy clinics serving different populations and challenges... adding a bit of spice to her practice and recently retired from patient care.

Janet lectures nationally and internationally, has published on Quality of Life of People Living with an Ostomy and co-authored both a home study course on Wound Management & Healing and an educational video on Common Perineal Skin Injuries, and. She participates in Ostomy and Incontinence Associated Dermatitis research and actively participates with WOCN and industry to move ostomy care forward. Her peers awarded her the PCR* ET Nurse of the Year Award in 1996, PCR* President’s Award in 2000 and PCR* Professional Educational Award in 2004.

*PCR stands for the Pacific Coast Region of the WOCN Society, what is now known as the Pacific Coast Chapter of the WOCN Society (or PCC for short). The WOCN Society has 11 chapters throughout the country that support WOCN members at a local level with resources, education, networking opportunities, social gatherings, timely information, and more. For additional information, please visit wocn.org/Chapters.
 

Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant.

Episode Resources:

View the JWOCN® article “Clean Versus Sterile: Management of Chronic Wounds”

View the infographic “Clean Versus Sterile: The Ongoing Debate in Chronic Wound Care”

About the Speaker:
Andrew Storer, PhD, DNP, RN, NP, CWCN-AP, FAANP. Dr. Andrew Storer serves as the Clinical Editor for the WOCN Society where he provides leadership and editorial expertise for the development, revision, and publication of WOCN clinical and professional practice literature. He is board certified in Advanced Practice in Wound Care and triple board certified as a family, emergency and acute care nurse practitioner. He is recognized nationally as a Fellow in the American Association of Nurse Practitioners for his contributions to nurse practitioner education and practice. He serves as the Senior Vice President of Patient Care Services, Chief Nursing Officer, and Associate Professor of Oncology at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center in Buffalo, NY. At Roswell Park his colleagues and he were awarded the first K-12 grant in the country with a focus on post-doctoral training for PhD prepared nurse scientists to focus on translational research, bridging the gap between laboratory science and bedside intervention. Dr. Storer holds his PhD from the University at Hawaii at Manoa and a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree from Thomas Jefferson University.

Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant.

Episode Resources:

• Learn about the WOCN® DAISY Award
• View Dylan’s practice innovation abstract/ePoster:
  PI41 - Stopping the Leak: Evaluating the effectiveness of ostomy education on nursing student’s knowledge, skills, and attitudes
  https://wocn.confex.com/wocn/2025am/meetingapp.cgi/Paper/14603
• View Dylan’s case series abstract/ePoster:
  CS11 - Reduced leakage through the use of light convexity in the immediate post-operative period: a case series
  https://wocn.confex.com/wocn/2025am/meetingapp.cgi/Paper/14703
• World Council of Enterostomal Therapists (WCET)
• Sigma Theta Tau
• American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN)
• WOCN® Southeast Chapter

About the Speaker:

Dylan Carpenter, MSN, RN, CWOCN, PCCN, MEDSURG-BC, is a certified Wound, Ostomy, and Continence Nurse (CWOCN) based in Alabama. He earned his BSN from the University of Mississippi Medical Center in 2020 and completed his MSN in Nursing Education at the University of North Alabama in 2024. Dylan became a WOC nurse in 2024 and currently provides specialized care in the gastrointestinal surgery, vascular, nephrology, and heart and lung transplant intensive care units at UAB Hospital.

He is actively involved in clinical research, with interests focused on pressure injury prevention and innovations in ostomy care. His work has been presented at local, regional, and national conferences. In addition to his clinical role, Dylan serves as an adjunct clinical instructor, teaching both ADN and BSN students. He is also Vice President of the Central Alabama WOC Nurses Association and a member of the Southeast WOCN Chapter and the National WOCN Society. Outside of work, Dylan enjoys traveling and cheering on the Ole Miss Rebels.

Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant.

Episode Resources:

Message from the President – featured in the July/August JWOCN®

WOCN Online Communities (the Modern Day Forums, as Chris called them)

Peristomal Skin Assessment Guide for Clinicians

Peristomal Skin Assessment Guide for Consumers

Support Surface Algorithm

Body Worn Absorbent Product Guide

A View From Here: Ostomy Life Coach – featured in the May/June JWOCN®

Minnesota Wild Rice Soup Recipe

About the Speaker:

Christine Berke, MSN, APRN-NP, AGPCNP-BC, CWOCN-AP, has been a nurse for 42 years, a certified WOC nurse for 24 years, and a nurse practitioner for the past 17 years. She has served on the WOCN® Society Board of Directors for nine years and counting, holding roles as Director, Secretary, President-Elect, and now President.

In 2009, Chris established a wound and ostomy clinic at a tertiary, university-affiliated hospital—after helping to launch a smaller clinic in 2008. Since 2003, she has contributed to numerous WOCN Society committees and played a key role in developing the inaugural advanced practice exams for the WOCNCB between 2011 and 2012, continuing to support their rollout and management through 2015.

Chris has authored several articles, primarily focused on friction injuries, and frequently presents at local, regional, and national conferences. Together with her daughter, she also created the “Berke Butt,” a teaching tool that has unexpectedly made its way to locations around the world.

Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant.

This podcast is part of the Ostomy Observations Series, a 6-part series included in the “Educating Today for Exceptional Outcomes Tomorrow” Program. Both the Ostomy Observations podcast series and the Educating Today for Exceptional Outcomes Tomorrow Program are commercially supported through an educational grant from Hollister Incorporated. For more information, visit wocn.org/exceptionaloutcomes. The WOCN® Society does not endorse or support products or services.

About the Speaker:

Karla Lohnes, RN, MClScWH, BScN, NSWOC, WOCC(C), has over 15 years of experience working as Nurse Specialized in Wound, Ostomy and Continence. She has been certified in WOC nursing since 2012. She works in a tertiary care center providing pre-operative teaching and marking, post-operative ostomy teaching and outpatient support in an ostomy clinic.

Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant.

View the WOCN Society’s public policy information.

View the WOCN Society’s members-only online Public Policy Community to engage in communications about legislation, regulation or policy development, access to supplies or services for patients, or quality concerns.

If you have questions for Kate or Chris, please email [email protected].

Visit the American Nurses Association Public Policy and Advocacy site for additional information and resources.

Visit the Alliance of Wound Care Stakeholders site for additional information and resources.

About the Speakers:

Kate Lawrence, MSN, RN, CWOCN, WOCNF, has had a wonderful career path in nursing. Her journey has included acute care, medical surgical nursing, home care, hospice and over 30 years as a wound ostomy and continence nurse practicing the full WOC scope of practice.
Her work in WOC nursing has included acute care in-patient, and the development of a comprehensive wound ostomy and continence service for inpatient, outpatient, and contract entities in a rural Vermont setting. Contracts included subacute care, long-term care, pediatric clinics for special needs, home care and hospice. Currently Kate is the Program Director of wound, ostomy and continence services at the VNA and Hospice of the Southwest Region in Vermont. Her role includes delivery of education, clinical care and consultation in home care, hospice, outpatient, long term care and community care facilities. Kate also serves as the Public Policy Coordinator for the WOCN Society.

Chris Rorick, MPH, serves as a Senior Policy Advisor at Polsinelli, and the Director of Government Relations with the WOCN Society. Chris brings 25 years of experience in both state and federal government service and government relations. His focus is on health care and health science policy representing numerous physicians, nursing, and medical research associations. Prior to joining Polsinelli, Chris served in both the state district office and Washington, D.C. office of a U.S. Congressman from Colorado as well a staff member for several Representatives of the Colorado State Legislature.

Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant.

On this inspiring episode of WOCTalk, we sit down with Dr. Charleen Singh, Founder and Program Director, and Annie Ocampo, Philippines Liaison, for the International Wound Ostomy Continence Nursing Education Program (IWOCNEP) to explore the growing global reach of the Wound, Ostomy, and Continence (WOC) nursing specialty through IWOCNEP. IWOCNEP is a WOCN Society Accredited WOC Nursing Education Program whose philosophy is to build a supportive and collaborative community that utilizes innovation to disseminate the unique body of wound, ostomy, continence nursing knowledge to improve quality of life across the globe. 

Tune in as they discuss the unique challenges, cultural insights, and life-changing outcomes of international WOC education—along with firsthand stories from the field, the importance of collaboration, and how WOC nurses everywhere can support this global initiative.

Episode Resources:

To learn more about the International Wound Ostomy Continence Nursing Education Program (IWOCNEP), click here.

Click here to email IWOCNEP for additional information, ask questions about how to get involved, or to find out if you qualify for a full or partial scholarship.

Lectures for each specialty are offered throughout the year using video technology.
Clinical residency is hosted in Ho Chi Minh City Vietnam or Iloilo Philippines.
Minimum requirements for the program include Bachelor's of Science in Nursing and 2 years of medical-surgical nursing.

Interested in becoming a WOC Nurse? To find WOC Nursing Education Programs accredited by the WOCN Society, click here. 

About the Speakers:

Charleen Singh, PhD, MBA, MSN/ed, FNP-BC, CWOCN, WOCNF, CNE, RN

Dr. Charleen Singh is the founder and program director of the International WOCNEP a non-profit bringing wound ostomy continence education to nurses in South Asia partnering with the University of Medicine and Pharmacy at Ho Chi Minh and the Central Philippines University. She is the co-founder, co-director of the San Jose State Wound Ostomy program.

She offers more than 25 years of nursing experience which spans across countries, ages, health issues and practice.

Currently she is the program director of the DNP-FNP program at the University of California Davis Betty Irene Moore School of Nursing. Education of nurses, future nurses, improving patient outcomes and applying evidence-based practice are a few of her passions.

Annielyn Ocampo, MSN, RN, CWOCN

Annielyn Ocampo, MSN, RN, CWOCN has been a member of the WOCN Society for 20 years. She works as the Wound, Ostomy, Continence Nurse Specialist at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. Her educational background includes: University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC), Nebraska – Master of Science in Nursing, Leadership/ Administration Program, May 2017; Emory University, Georgia – Graduate of Wound, Ostomy and Continence Nursing Program, September 2006; University of Perpetual Help of Rizal, Philippines – Bachelor of Science in Nursing, March 1992.

Annie is the Philippines Liaison for the International WOCNEP and currently serves as a Director on the WOCN Society’s National Board of Directors.

Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant.

About the Speakers:

Dr. Thureiyya K. Rodriguez, DHA, MSN, CWOCN, has over two decades of experience in healthcare and specializes in wound, ostomy, and continence nursing. Dr. Rodriguez’s experience spans beyond inpatient and outpatient nursing. She has an extensive range of knowledge and expertise in staffing methodology and leadership nursing. Dr. Rodriguez’s experience in nursing practice and healthcare administration, combined with her tenure in both federal and private healthcare sectors, equips her to offer comprehensive and tailored solutions. Dr. Rodriguez has peer-reviewed publications in Nursing Made Incredibly Easy and is an active peer reviewer for Wolters-Kluwer: Advances in Skin and Wound Care. She is actively involved in the Northeast Region WOCN (NER WOCN) and National Society of Leadership and Success (NSLS). She is the owner of Thureiyya Rodriguez RN, PLLC and North-Browne Consulting Services.

Katie Cesario, MA, RN, CWOCN, became a nurse in 2005 after obtaining her BSN from Pace University. She started her career at Visiting Nurse Service of New York as a public health nurse intern. In 2009, she received her Master’s Degree in Nursing Education from Pace University and soon after took a position as Orientation Nurse Instructor at VNSNY. In 2013, she studied at the Cleveland Clinic to become a Wound, Ostomy, Continence Nurse. In 2015, she took a WOC nurse position at New York Presbyterian, Columbia University Medical Center. In September 2018, she joined the WOC nurse team at NYP, Brooklyn Methodist Hospital. She held the Secretary position for the Metro NY Affiliate of the WOCN Society from January 2021-December 2022. Since 2019, she has served on the skin and wound care advisory board for Coloplast. Presently, she is embarking on a new path in her career by starting her own private nursing business for wound and ostomy patients and their caregivers, Katherine Cesario RN, PLLC. In this new role, she is most excited to combine her background in home care and education with her dedication to help people living with wounds and ostomies.

Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant.

In this episode of WOCTalk, we’re joined by Brooke Passy, Director of Meetings for the WOCN® Society, to give you a sneak peek into everything WOCNext® 2025 has to offer. Happening June 1–3, 2025, in sunny Orlando, Florida (with a virtual option, too!), this year’s event features a new streamlined schedule so you can learn more in less time.

Tune in to hear what’s new, including:

• Interactive roundtable education sessions for more collaboration
• A Tuesday morning exhibit hall with breakfast
• Exciting resort perks like pools, water parks, a golf course, spa, and nightly laser shows—plus, you’re just minutes from Disney parks and all that Orlando has to offer

Whether you're attending in person or virtually, WOCNext remains the only event of its kind led by healthcare professionals for healthcare professionals—delivering what’s new, what’s needed, and what’s next in wound, ostomy, continence, and foot and nail care.

On-demand access, evaluations, and Contact Hours will be available through September 15, 2025. Learn more at wocnext.org.

Episode Resources:

Register to attend WOCNext in-person or virtually.

Click here to download the WOCNext app.

Click here for a list of things to do and places to eat in Orlando.

About the Speaker:

Brooke Passy is a Certified Meeting Planner (CMP), Digital Event Strategist (DES), and is the Director of Meetings for the WOCN® Society.

Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant.

Lisa Orowson has been a certified wound, ostomy, and continence (WOC) nurse since 2003. With a strong background in acute care, she has spent most of her career working as a CWOCN, caring for patients with ostomies and providing ongoing education to both nursing staff and students. About 13 years ago, what began as a classroom lecture for local nursing students transformed into a hands-on ostomy care lab—an interactive experience that continues today.

Lisa currently serves as a nurse navigator in the Limb Preservation Program, working across both acute and ambulatory care settings. She remains passionate about education and continues to lead both ostomy and basic wound care labs to help shape the next generation of nurses.

Contact Lisa with questions: [email protected]

Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant.