- Robert Channell

Front Row (L to R): Dr. Corey Henderson; Dr. Breanna Ferguson; Ashley Concepcion, ARNP; Mary Lynne Dillon, hyperbaric oxygen safety director; Selwyn Carrington, director of outpatient wound & hyperbaric medicine Second Row (L to R): Sondra Ottum, CNM; Nisenia Ramirez, LPN; Dr. Christopher Keeler; Melissa Smigel, patient navigator.

Tina Freer found healing and renewed hope through AdventHealth Waterman’s award-winning wound care team.
When Tina Freer broke her leg, she didn’t expect to end up in the hospital battling painful sores and a serious infection. But as her condition worsened and healing stalled, she began to lose hope – until she was referred to AdventHealth Waterman’s Wound Care Center.
“I had almost given up hope,” the Lake County resident said. “The wounds on my legs just wouldn’t get better. The team at Waterman got it under control, and they gave me my life back.”
Freer’s recovery is one of many that led to AdventHealth Waterman receiving the Center of Distinction designation by Healogics, the largest provider of advanced wound care in the country. This national designation is only given to centers showing outstanding results in both patient satisfaction and healing outcomes.
Medical perspective on chronic wounds
The recognition is more than just an honor, it’s a signal to the community that residents have access to a high-performing, lifesaving service right in their backyard.
Some wounds take weeks or even months to heal, especially those tied to conditions like diabetes, poor circulation, or surgical complications. Without the right care, these wounds can lead to serious infections or even amputations.
“We’re not just treating wounds; we’re helping people avoid life-changing consequences,” said Dr. Jason Smith, wound care medical director and chief of surgery for AdventHealth Waterman. “A chronic wound might start as something small, but if it’s not treated the right way, it can grow into something far more serious. What we offer here is a chance to stop that from happening and to help people get back to living their lives.”

Understanding the role of a wound care center
A wound care center is a special place in a hospital where doctors and clinicians treat hard-to-heal wounds, such as those that don’t improve with regular bandages or creams. These include:
- Diabetic foot ulcers
- Pressure ulcers (bedsores)
- Surgical wounds that won’t heal
- Traumatic injuries or burns
- Wounds with infections or poor blood flow
- Damage from cancer treatments like radiation
The team at Waterman uses the latest techniques to help wounds heal, including:
- Negative pressure therapy (using gentle suction to remove fluids)
- Growth factor treatments
- Special dressings and tissue grafts
- Total contact casting for diabetic foot ulcers
- Hyperbaric oxygen therapy
These tools, combined with close monitoring and personalized care, help patients avoid serious complications like infections or even amputations.
A team approach to healing
Nurse practitioner Ashley Concepcion says successful wound care takes more than the right tools – it takes the right mindset.

“Many patients come in feeling hopeless,” said Concepcion. “But with the right treatment and close support, we see incredible turnarounds. Their wounds improve, and so does their outlook. Tina went from fearing she’d never recover to seeing real hope again. That kind of transformation is what makes our work so meaningful.”
Recent News
AdventHealth is pleased to announce the appointment of Bela Nand, MD, as the new Regional Chief Medical Officer for the Mid-America Region, effective June 29, 2025.
AdventHealth Waterman becomes the first and only hospital in Lake and Sumter counties to offer Aquablation therapy, a new option for men with an enlarged prostate.
This national recognition honors nurses who exemplify clinical excellence, compassionate care, and a deep commitment to the healing ministry of Christ.
Dr. Tim Hendrix, chief medical officer at AdventHealth Centra Care, shares simple, smart tips to help you and your family stay healthy and feel whole all summer long.
For Amanda Jackson, ICU Manager at AdventHealth Porter, nursing is more than a profession—it’s a calling shaped by profound personal experiences and a deep-rooted desire to care for others.
Bond Clinic, a physician group comprising more than 90 providers and 28 specialties serving Winter Haven and surrounding communities, joins AdventHealth.
Dr. Gupta joins the team at UChicago Medicine AdventHealth Medical Group General Surgery at Bolingbrook and Carol Stream, enhancing our commitment to exceptional surgical care.
AdventHealth Castle Rock, AdventHealth Littleton and AdventHealth Parker are named among the nation’s top hospitals for treating heart attack patients.
AdventHealth Manchester is proud to recognize a group of exceptional seniors from Clay County High School who have been awarded scholarships in support of their academic and professional aspirations. ...
Sandra Valaitis, MD, has joined UChicago Medicine AdventHealth Medical Group Urogynecology at 301 Hinsdale.
AdventHealth is expanding once again in Polk County with the opening of a newly enhanced AdventHealth Medical Group (AHMG) Weight Loss and Bariatric Surgery in Davenport. The space will allow Dr...
With nearly three decades of health care experience, Biri will lead AdventHealth’s flagship facility.