Advertise on podcast: WoundCasters

In this episode of WoundCasters, Dr. Felix Boecker tackles a common misconception in wound care: if honey is beneficial, does it matter which kind you use? Exploring both historical use and modern research, he breaks down why honey has resurfaced as a potential therapeutic tool—and the science behind its antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and wound-healing properties. The conversation then draws a critical distinction between raw, store-bought honey and medical-grade honey products. From sterilization and standardization to regulatory oversight and clinical evidence, Dr. Boecker explains why these are not interchangeable—and how using the wrong type can range from ineffective to potentially harmful. This episode also offers practical guidance for clinicians and patients alike, including when medical-grade honey may be appropriate, how it fits into comprehensive wound care, and how to address patients who are using or considering raw honey at home. A clear, evidence-based look at where honey belongs—and where it doesn’t—in modern wound management.

In this episode of WoundCasters, Felix Boecker is joined by Becky Wolfe, a leadership consultant specializing in healthcare burnout, culture change, and organizational strategy. Together, they explore why so many clinicians feel exhausted, unheard, and disconnected from the work they once loved—and how those realities quietly undermine patient care. Drawing from Becky’s experience coaching healthcare organizations and Felix’s perspective as a surgeon, the conversation examines how systems designed for volume and efficiency often suppress curiosity, compassion, and critical thinking. Becky breaks down the structural drivers of burnout, including fee-for-service pressure, shrinking staffing models, unclear priorities, and the widening gap between leadership strategy and day-to-day operations. They discuss why many organizations claim to want change but struggle to act, and how true transformation requires clarity around values, accountability, and long-term commitment—not short-term fixes. The episode also explores leadership as influence rather than title, emphasizing that meaningful change can begin at any level when individuals are willing to ask better questions, build trust, and communicate with intention. The conversation closes with practical guidance for clinicians and leaders alike: how to reclaim agency, ask for help without shame, invest in personal development, and model healthier behaviors that ripple outward to teams and patients. Felix and Becky emphasize that caring for others sustainably requires caring for oneself—and that improving patient outcomes is inseparable from building cultures where clinicians can think, connect, and thrive. This episode offers a candid, hopeful roadmap for anyone navigating burnout while still believing healthcare can—and should—be better.

In this episode of WoundCasters, Dr. Felix Boecker continues the Myth Busters series by taking on one of the most deeply ingrained—and harmful—practices in home wound care: the use of hydrogen peroxide. Long regarded as a go-to antiseptic because of its dramatic bubbling reaction, peroxide has earned a reputation for “cleaning” wounds. But as Felix explains, that fizz is not a sign of healing—it’s a sign of cellular damage. The episode walks listeners through the history of hydrogen peroxide in medicine, from its early adoption in the pre-antibiotic era to its widespread cultural acceptance in home first-aid kits. Felix then breaks down the science at a cellular level, explaining how peroxide’s oxidizing action kills not only bacteria but also the fibroblasts, keratinocytes, and endothelial cells essential for wound healing. He reviews decades of research showing delayed healing, increased tissue damage, and lack of meaningful antimicrobial benefit—making a clear case for why professional guidelines have advised against routine peroxide use for years. Beyond debunking the myth, the conversation focuses on practical, compassionate patient education. Felix outlines evidence-based alternatives for wound cleansing, explains when antimicrobial strategies are actually appropriate, and offers clear strategies for helping patients—and even other healthcare providers—move away from outdated habits without shame or confrontation. This episode is both a scientific correction and a communication guide, empowering clinicians and patients alike to replace tradition with evidence and give wounds the environment they need to heal properly.

In this episode of WoundCasters, Dr. Felix Boecker is joined by Richard and Linda Benskin of the Benskin Research Group for a remarkable conversation that redefines what “evidence-based wound care” looks like outside the walls of well-resourced healthcare systems. Drawing from years spent living and working in rural West Africa, the Benskins share how repeated exposure to chronic, poorly healing wounds challenged many assumptions of modern wound care—and ultimately launched a decades-long effort to develop sustainable, locally achievable solutions. The discussion traces their journey from hands-on clinical work in Ghana to rigorous academic research, including Linda’s PhD work at the University of Texas Medical Branch under the mentorship of Dr. Laura Bolton. Faced with the reality that donated modern dressings were unsustainable and often inappropriate for extreme climates, the Benskins set out to understand actual wound care practices in developing regions. Through extensive qualitative research across dozens of villages and providers—including village health workers and traditional healers—they uncovered a universal challenge: maintaining adequate moisture balance. Their findings reinforced a critical truth—moist wound healing remains fundamental, even in hot, humid, high-infection environments, directly contradicting long-held fears that moisture promotes infection. The episode highlights how this work ultimately led to the development and validation of improvised yet physiologically sound wound care approaches using locally available materials. Beyond the science, Felix and the Benskins explore the ethical responsibility of sustainability, the limitations of short-term medical missions, and the importance of empowering communities with knowledge and tools they can maintain long after outside help is gone. This conversation offers a profound reminder that good wound care is not defined by expensive products, but by understanding biology, context, and the realities of the people being served—and that innovation often begins where resources are most limited.

In this episode of WoundCasters, Felix Boecker tackles one of the most persistent and damaging myths in wound care: the belief that wounds need to “breathe” or be aired out to heal. Passed down through generations and reinforced by intuition rather than evidence, this misconception continues to undermine healing—especially in chronic wounds. Felix traces the historical roots of the myth, from ancient medical theories and early surgical practices to the cultural habits that keep it alive today, even among healthcare professionals. The episode then dives deep into the science of wound healing, clearly explaining why moist wound environments are physiologically superior. Felix walks listeners through what happens at the cellular and molecular level when wounds are kept optimally moist versus when they’re exposed to air—covering epithelial cell migration, autolytic debridement, growth factor signaling, inflammation, pain, infection risk, and scarring. He also directly addresses the oxygen misconception, clarifying that wounds receive oxygen through blood flow—not air exposure—and why desiccation actually impedes healing rather than supporting it. Importantly, the conversation doesn’t ignore nuance. Felix outlines the few, specific scenarios where limited air exposure may be appropriate, while clearly distinguishing these exceptions from the harmful routine practice of “airing out” wounds. The episode concludes with practical communication strategies clinicians can use to educate patients and families compassionately, correct long-held beliefs, and improve adherence. Let It Breathe is both a science-based rebuttal to a dangerous myth and a call to close the gap between evidence and everyday wound care practice—for the sake of better healing and better patient outcomes.

In this episode of WoundCasters, Dr. Felix Boecker sits down with Jeremy Bowden, President of Wound Care Today USA, for a candid conversation about the origins, vision, and rapid growth of a modern educational platform in wound care. Jeremy shares his unconventional entry into the field—from an aspiring teacher to a 22-year career in medical publishing—and how that journey ultimately led him to build something new, rooted in listening to clinicians, industry, and the evolving needs of healthcare education. The discussion dives into the core philosophy behind Wound Care Today: addressing persistent educational gaps through accessible, digital-first, microlearning content. Jeremy explains why traditional long-form education often falls short for today’s busy providers and how breaking complex topics into digestible formats—across web, social, and mobile—can better meet clinicians where they are. From foundational wound care principles to timely industry updates, the platform aims to balance practical relevance with innovation in content delivery. Looking ahead, Jeremy outlines a future focused on continued growth, experimentation, and responsiveness to the field—expanding formats, integrating new technologies, and maintaining a strong commitment to meaningful, clinician-driven education. A behind-the-scenes look at building a brand with purpose in a space that still has significant room to evolve.

In this episode of WoundCasters, host Dr. Felix Boecker is joined by Sarah Check, a former wound care nurse turned marketing and copywriting specialist, to unpack a topic many clinicians quietly struggle with: how to communicate what they do in a way patients and referral partners actually understand. Drawing from her unique background on both the clinical and marketing sides, Sarah explains why excellent care alone is no longer enough—patients and providers have to be able to find you first. The conversation explores the most common marketing missteps wound care clinics make, from vague website messaging and unclear calls to action to failing to specify who they serve and where they’re located. Sarah breaks down why clinician-centric language often misses the mark with patients, how search engines and AI now surface healthcare content, and why clarity—not cleverness—is the single most important factor in digital visibility. Together, Felix and Sarah discuss practical improvements clinics can make without becoming “salesy,” including better patient education, compliant and authentic testimonials, referral-friendly site structure, and smarter use of SEO and AI-driven discovery. The episode also dives into the often-ignored middle of the marketing funnel: what happens after a patient or referring provider reaches out. Sarah explains why response time, follow-up, and simple process tracking can dramatically improve access to care and clinic growth—often more than paid ads ever will. This conversation reframes marketing not as promotion, but as patient navigation and service. For clinicians who want their expertise to reach the people who need it most, this episode offers a grounded, ethical, and immediately actionable roadmap.

In this episode of WoundCasters, Dr. Felix Boecker challenges one of the most entrenched habits in modern wound care: the reflexive reliance on prolonged conservative management when definitive surgical closure may be the faster, safer, and more humane option. Drawing from clinical experience and real patient stories, Felix explores why surgical solutions—such as delayed primary closure, skin grafts, and flaps—are too often treated as last resorts rather than early considerations. The result, he argues, is unnecessary patient suffering, prolonged healing timelines, and missed opportunities for faster recovery. Felix walks listeners through the cultural, systemic, and financial forces that quietly discourage surgical closure, including siloed care models, risk aversion, reimbursement incentives, and knowledge gaps among non-surgical wound care providers. He explains how being “good” at conservative management can actually blind clinicians to better options, and why steady but slow wound progress is not the same as optimal care. Through practical examples—diabetic foot ulcers, venous leg ulcers, pressure injuries, postoperative wound breakdowns, and traumatic wounds—he illustrates when surgical closure should be strongly considered and how earlier intervention can dramatically shorten healing time. The episode also serves as a practical guide for collaboration. Felix outlines how wound care providers can identify appropriate surgical candidates, optimize patients pre-operatively, communicate effectively with surgeons, and build long-term multidisciplinary partnerships that benefit patients. Ultimately, this conversation reframes surgical closure not as a failure of conservative care, but as a critical tool in comprehensive wound management. Why We’re Underselling Surgical Closure is a call to think surgically, advocate boldly, and prioritize definitive healing over habitual temporizing—always in service of the patient’s quality of life.

In this episode of WoundCasters, Dr. Felix Boecker takes a thoughtful, grounded look at the rapidly evolving role of artificial intelligence in skin and wound care. Moving beyond hype and headlines, Felix examines what AI actually is—and what it is not—through the lens of current clinical realities. Drawing from a recent article published in Advances in Skin and Wound Care and his own response to it, he frames AI not as a replacement for clinicians, but as a developing partner that has the potential to improve precision, consistency, and decision-making in wound care practice. Felix explores how AI is already being used today, including wound measurement, image recognition, healing trajectory tracking, early infection detection, symptom reporting, and treatment recommendations. He discusses both the promise and the limitations of these tools, emphasizing the importance of human oversight, real-world validation, and clinician involvement in development. AI, he argues, currently sits somewhere between a tool and a toy—but with proper engagement from wound care professionals, it can mature into a reliable clinical collaborator that reduces human error and enhances data-driven oversight. The episode also reinforces what AI can never replace: empathy, judgment, and the human connection at the heart of medicine. While algorithms can analyze data and flag concerns, they cannot comfort a patient, understand fear, or build trust. Felix concludes with a call to action for clinicians to actively shape how AI is designed, implemented, and ethically integrated into care. When technology and compassion work together, he argues, the future of wound care becomes not just more efficient—but more human.

In this episode of WoundCasters, Dr. Felix Boecker sits down with Daniel Andrews, Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Reapplix, to explore the story and science behind the 3C Patch—an autologous wound care technology designed to support healing using the patient’s own biology.The conversation walks through how the technology works in practice, from blood collection to processing and application, as well as the clinical rationale behind its use. They also discuss the role of strong clinical evidence, including a pivotal study that helped shape access and reimbursement, highlighting the importance of pairing innovation with rigorous data.Beyond the product itself, this episode emphasizes a broader theme in wound care: advanced therapies are only as effective as the fundamentals that support them. From offloading and vascular assessment to glycemic control, the discussion reinforces how new technologies fit into comprehensive, patient-centered care—not as standalone solutions, but as part of a larger strategy.

In this episode of WoundCasters, Felix Boecker explores the Navy SEAL principle “Run to the sound of the guns” and why it offers a powerful framework for leadership in chronic wound care. Borrowed from the battlefield, the phrase doesn’t imply chaos or aggression—it represents a mindset of moving toward the most difficult, complex, and high-risk situations rather than avoiding them. In the clinic, that “gunfire” is often the most challenging wounds, patients, and systems of care that others may hesitate to take on. Felix applies this principle to real-world wound care scenarios, from complex diabetic foot ulcers with suspected osteomyelitis to massive stage IV pressure injuries and non-healing wounds complicated by multiple comorbidities. Rather than settling for superficial or passive treatment, this mindset demands decisive, comprehensive action—deep debridement, appropriate imaging, multidisciplinary collaboration, and ownership of the entire care plan. True wound care leadership means becoming the quarterback of the team, addressing not just the wound surface, but the systemic barriers preventing healing. The episode also expands beyond clinical complexity to include difficult patient interactions, administrative obstacles, and professional disagreements. Felix explains how running toward these challenges—whether advocating through insurance denials, navigating referral breakdowns, or having uncomfortable conversations with other providers—ultimately protects patients and strengthens outcomes. Run to the Sound of the Guns is a call to purpose, courage, and commitment, reminding clinicians that the most meaningful victories in wound care come from embracing the hard cases and standing firmly in advocacy for those who need it most.

In this episode of WoundCasters, Dr. Felix Boecker sits down with Dr. Paul Kim of UT Southwestern to discuss the development of one of wound care’s most foundational therapies: negative pressure wound therapy. Centered around Dr. Kim’s newly published textbook, the conversation explores why—despite decades of widespread use—there has never been a truly comprehensive, multidisciplinary resource on the subject until now. Dr. Kim shares insights from both his clinical and academic experience, highlighting how negative pressure therapy has often been treated as a routine task rather than a technique requiring intentional application. From common misconceptions and improper use to the importance of understanding indications, risks, and cost considerations, the discussion emphasizes the need for deeper education across all levels of care—from trainees to experienced providers. This episode also looks ahead, examining how evolving technologies, materials, and even AI are beginning to reshape both wound care and medical education. A thoughtful conversation on building foundational knowledge in a field where “just put a wound vac on it” is no longer enough.

In this episode of WoundCasters, Dr. Felix Boecker explores the Navy SEAL mantra “The only easy day was yesterday” and why it resonates so deeply with the realities of chronic wound care. Drawing inspiration from Admiral William McRaven’s The Wisdom of the Bullfrog, Felix reframes the phrase not as a complaint, but as a mindset—one rooted in readiness, perseverance, and an acceptance that today’s work will demand fresh energy, focus, and resolve. Felix connects this principle to everyday clinical practice, where progress is rarely linear and yesterday’s success offers no guarantee for today’s outcomes. A wound that appeared to be healing can stall or worsen without warning, requiring clinicians to reassess, adapt, and problem-solve rather than rely on past protocols. Even success brings new responsibilities, as wound closure marks the beginning of prevention, education, and long-term patient support. The episode emphasizes how this mindset transforms setbacks into missions and keeps clinicians engaged, curious, and resilient. The conversation also expands into leadership and patient advocacy. Felix explains how leaders must resist complacency after strong performance and instead foster continuous improvement within their teams. For patients, this mindset fuels relentless advocacy—whether appealing insurance denials, coordinating care across specialties, or pushing for what patients need when it’s inconvenient or difficult. The Only Easy Day Was Yesterday is presented as a philosophy of forward motion, reminding wound care professionals that the work is hard by nature—but meaningful precisely because of it.

RR: LIVE ATLANTA REGISTRATION In this special episode of WoundCasters, Felix sits down with Jeremy Bowden and Kathleen Schaum to introduce Reimbursement Readiness Live—a new, in-person event designed to fill a long-standing gap in wound care education. Together, they discuss why reimbursement remains one of the most challenging—and underserved—areas in wound care, and how this interactive, case-based format brings real-world scenarios, team-based learning, and open discussion back into focus. If you’re involved anywhere in the wound care revenue cycle, this episode offers a first look at what to expect—and why this event is built to meet a critical need.

In this episode of WoundCasters, Felix Boecker hosts his first two-guest conversation with Dr. Traci Kimball, wound care surgeon and founder of The WISH Clinic, and Dr. Cassandre Voltaire, primary care physician and wound care consultant. Together, they explore what truly drives successful wound healing: a well-functioning interdisciplinary team with the patient at its center. Drawing from surgical, primary care, and post-acute perspectives, the discussion highlights how outcomes are shaped not by any single intervention, but by communication, role clarity, and shared accountability across disciplines. Dr. Kimball and Dr. Voltaire unpack how interdisciplinary teams (IDTs) actually work in real clinical environments—from skilled nursing facilities and PACE programs to virtual care models developed during COVID. They discuss how CNAs, nurses, therapists, physicians, surgeons, and allied health professionals each see different pieces of the clinical picture, and why those “small observations” often prevent major complications when they’re shared effectively. The conversation also addresses how systemic factors like social determinants of health, environment, nutrition, and patient safety preferences can quietly derail healing when they’re overlooked. The episode closes with practical guidance for clinicians who want to build or strengthen an IDT in their own setting. From establishing shared care plans and documentation loops to leveraging technology, micro-huddles, and patient education, Felix and his guests emphasize that interdisciplinary care isn’t about adding more people—it’s about alignment. Ultimately, this conversation reframes wound care as a collective effort, where healing accelerates when teams think holistically, communicate intentionally, and treat patients as active partners in their own recovery.