OHSU and Sky Lakes Wound Care Clinic Team Up for Specialized Care
Sky Lakes patients with chronic nonhealing wounds attended free specialized telehealth visits with Oregon Health and Science University provider Dr. Ortega on May 1, 2025. Dr. Alex Ortega is a board-certified dermatologist specializing in both general and complex dermatology. Additionally, patients were also able to attend the special clinic in person to meet Dr. Moira Shea, an OHSU Dermatology Fellow.
As part of a research grant, Shea reached out to Sky Lakes, offering one-on-one consultations for patients the Sky Lake Wound Care Clinic thought would benefit. Sky Lakes certified wound care providers, Monna Alwine AGNP-C, Dana Jackson PA-C, and Melissa Merrigan FNP-C referred patients for telehealth and in-person consultations. The telehealth visits were billed through the grant funds, so no patients attending the visits were billed afterwards. Attending patients also had the option to opt in to an OHSU research study.
This event was a special opportunity for our community. Dr Ortega is a renowned expert in chronic wounds, and his expertise is something a lot of wound care patients wouldn’t have access to otherwise. In general, Klamath Falls has some of the lowest health metrics in the state, and many diseases that are common in the area, like diabetes, lead to more wounds that need specialized care.
“We [Sky Lakes Wound Care Clinic] are the only wound care clinic in the area, we provide wound care for our entire community.” said Jackson, “This was an opportunity for our patients to see specialized experts in their own town, without the need for transportation, and they wouldn’t get a bill for it afterwards.”
Wound care providers clean, protect, and promote healing of chronic wounds, which is a commitment of time and effort on the part of patients and providers. “We get to see our patients once or twice a week, so we really get to develop relationships with them” said Merrigan. Opportunities for patients to get specialized care locally help Sky Lakes providers improve care outcomes for their patients.
What kinds of wounds require wound care?
Most people heal their wounds in two to three weeks on their own. A chronic wound is a wound that doesn’t heal or isn’t healing well after two weeks.
According to Jackson, if your wound is not healing in two to three weeks, you notice redness, the wound becomes more painful, or there is odd drainage or smells, you should go see your primary care provider.
For people with minor wounds, Alwine recommends you wash the injury with soap and water, dry it, cover it with a band aid, and leave the band aid on as long as you can. Tap water is an effective wound cleaner and Neosporin isn’t necessary.
