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Healing With Reassurance: Elk River Health and Nursing Center of Winchester is a Vohra-Certified Wound Center of Excellence

Fri, 30 Oct 2026 19:38:58 GMT

Recovery after a hospital stay can feel overwhelming, especially for patients and families managing complex wounds. At Elk River Health and Nursing Center of Winchester , we are proud to announce our official designation as a Certified Center of Excellence in Wound Management, in partnership with Vohra Wound Physicians .

Types of Wounds Treated:

Pressure Injuries (Bedsores / Decubitus Ulcers): These are among the most common wounds treated in long-term care settings. They result from prolonged, uninterrupted pressure on the skin—typically over bony prominences such as the heels, hips, and tailbone. They range from mild surface reddening (Stage 1) to deep tissue damage involving muscle and bone (Stage 4).

Diabetic and Neuropathic Ulcers: These frequently develop on the feet and lower extremities due to peripheral neuropathy (nerve damage) and poor circulation associated with diabetes. Because reduced sensation makes it difficult to feel discomfort or minor trauma, these wounds can progress quickly if not managed proactively.

Vascular Ulcers (Venous and Arterial): These stem from impaired blood circulation. Venous stasis ulcers usually appear on the lower legs due to chronic venous insufficiency, while arterial ulcers result from restricted arterial blood flow, leading to inadequate oxygen delivery to the tissue.

Post-Surgical and Trauma Wounds: Patients often transition directly from the hospital to skilled nursing facilities after surgeries (such as joint replacements) or acute injuries. These transitions require ongoing clinical observation of surgical incisions, drain sites, and healing progress to prevent complications.

Skin Tears and Abrasions: Age-related thinning and loss of elasticity make older adults highly susceptible to superficial tears, friction injuries, and bruising, all of which require specialized dressing protocols.

Vohra Certification Results:

This wound care certification provides peace of mind for patients and families. Instead of the stress and exhaustion of traveling to outside wound clinics, patients receive advanced, specialist care right at their bedside. Our dedicated on-site program features weekly physician rounds—and twice-weekly visits when higher acuity requires them—alongside 7-day-a-week care from our Wound Care Certified nurses. The results speak for themselves: over the past 12 months, our center achieved a remarkable 63% complete resolution rate for pressure wounds and zero wound-related hospitalizations .

Case Managers:

For hospital case managers and discharge planners, this certification gives you the confidence to address your toughest clinical challenges. Whether you are placing a patient with Stage 3–4 pressure injuries, deep tissue injuries (DTIs), or diabetic and vascular wounds, Elk River Health and Nursing Center of Winchester manages these wounds safely in-house. With physician-performed sharp debridement and advanced UltraMIST ultrasound therapy delivered entirely on-site, you can rest assured that your patients are protected from avoidable bounce-backs.

Refer your next wound patient with confidence.

Contact Elk River Health and Nursing Center of Winchester at 931-967-0200 .

2026 Scholarship Winner

Fri, 25 Sep 2026 21:27:16 GMT

Investing in the Future of Care: Celebrating Our 2026 Scholarship Recipient Taylor Austin

At Elk River Health and Nursing Center of Winchester, we believe the best way to ensure a healthier tomorrow is to invest in the bright minds of today. That is why we are incredibly proud to celebrate the recipient of our annual scholarship, which is funded by the Ocoee Foundation: Ms. Taylor Austin.

Finding the right recipient for this honor is no small task, as the award recognizes individuals who demonstrate a balance of academic excellence, community dedication, and a true passion for serving others. Taylor, a student from Winchester Christian Academy in Franklin County, excels in every category. Her commitment to giving back and serving those around her is already deeply evident through her extensive community involvement. Outside of her academic work, Taylor devotes her time to supporting local churches, volunteering at the local women’s shelter, and assisting community food drives. She also dedicates time to tutoring students who are struggling through their educational journey.

Taylor will take her next big step through dual enrollment at Motlow State College and the University of Alabama-Huntsville to pursue her degree in nursing. Driven by a passion for service and equipping herself with higher education, she is well on her way to making a lasting impact in the healthcare field.

The entire team at Elk River Health and Nursing Center of Winchester extends our warmest congratulations to Taylor! Please join us in wishing her the absolute best as she begins her nursing journey.

A Rehab Success Story: How Ronald Duncan Found His Footing Again

Mon, 21 Sep 2026 04:09:54 GMT

Elk River Rehab Success Story

For a man who spent his life working in steel mills and tending to his small farm and cattle, independence wasn't just a convenience—it was a way of life. So, when a series of unexpected falls and medical setbacks left Ronald Duncan significantly weakened, the loss of his daily routine hit hard. Arriving at Elk River Health and Nursing of Winchester, he needed help with almost every task, requiring physical assistance just to stand, transfer, or walk 10 to 20 feet with a walker. Climbing even a single step was out of the question. Yet, Ronald faced rehabilitation with the same grit that defined his working years.

After about two weeks into his stay, a shift occurred. As his physical strength returned, so did his belief in himself. He began learning to trust his body once more, discovering that with a few smart adjustments and brief rest breaks, he was capable of far more than he had thought.

By the time he graduated from therapy, Ronald was navigating long distances independently with a roller and walking around the house using only a single-point cane. Most impressively, he went from struggling with one step to confidently climbing and descending 12 stairs using handrails.

When his plans evolved to move out of state to live with his son, Ronald was fully prepared. He left Elk River with the mobility, strength, and confidence needed to begin this next chapter safely. Ronald’s journey reminds us that recovery happens one step, one repetition, and one well-earned rest break at a time. We are deeply honored to have walked alongside him.

2025 Scholarship Winner

Mon, 21 Sep 2026 03:58:30 GMT

Investing in the Future of Health Care: 2025 Scholarship Winner Hannah Campbel

The Elk River Health and Nursing Center of Winchester scholarship committee selected Hannah Campbell, a High School Senior, to receive the Ocoee Foundation Healthcare Scholarship Award.

Winchester, TN – May 13, 2025 – Elk River Health & Nursing Center of Winchester, in partnership with the Ocoee Foundation, proudly announces the recipient of the 2025 Elk River Health & Nursing Center and Ocoee Foundation Scholarship. This $25,000 award, distributed over four years, supports a local high school senior pursuing a degree in a healthcare-related field.

This year’s scholarship recipient is Hannah Campbell, a standout senior from Franklin County High School, who will attend the University of Tennessee, Knoxville this fall to pursue a degree in biology. With a remarkable 4.28 GPA, dual enrollment college credits, and a strong record of community service and extracurricular involvement, Hannah embodies the values of academic excellence, resilience, and service.

Hannah’s passion for medicine is rooted in personal experience. Inspired by her mother, a physical therapist, and driven by her family’s medical challenges—including her mother’s brain aneurysm and her father’s rare cancer diagnosis—she aspires to become a radiologist, with a focus on neuroradiology or interventional radiology.

“I want to make the kind of impact doctors do, not just for their patients, but for their patient’s family as well,” said Campbell. “I want to be able to come back to my rural community and provide a much-needed service that is completely understaffed across America.”

The scholarship selection committee faced a difficult decision due to the exceptional quality of applicants from across Franklin County. However, Hannah’s story of perseverance, purpose, and passion stood out.