By Sarah Rose
When Dr. Chris Michaelis opened Charleston Wound Care in February 2020, Angela Farr joined the practice as nurse manager. With nearly 16 years of experience in wound care, Farr said her new role was a natural progression because she’d enjoyed working alongside Dr. Michaelis at a hospital before he launched the business.
Since making the transition to private practice, Farr has curated a group of all-star female professionals. “The health care industry creates strong women,” said Farr of her crew. “I’ve never had a team that is as dedicated and caring. The best part of Charleston Wound Care is that our patients love our staff. Because we see our patients and their families every week, we really get to know them on a personal level, and it’s such a good feeling to go through the entire healing process with them until they are discharged.”
Fostering a happy atmosphere has been instrumental in the growth of the practice, according to Farr. “In the five years since we opened in 2020, we’ve expanded to three locations: Mount Pleasant, West Ashley and Summerville. That’s pretty significant.”
Running the busy front of the house as well as coordinating behind the scenes, Farr said her top priority is the patients. “From the beginning, we empower our patients to understand not just how to keep themselves on track throughout each week, but we explain in depth why we are asking them to comply with the customized plan we’ve put them on.”
Physician assistant Kayley Manini agreed. “The most rewarding aspect of the job is being on the healing journey with our patients over the weeks and months of the process,” she said. “What keeps me strong is giving hope to our patients that they will heal. It’s just a matter of time. We let them know that we will be with them every step of the way.”
To create individual plans for patients, Manini distinguishes which factors are necessary to incorporate into a routine that will lead to a successful outcome. These could include teaching a patient how to change dressings properly, addressing diabetes, giving instructions on how to shower without getting a wound wet and working with primary care or vascular providers.
Additionally, Manini works with scar revision technologies such as microneedling or collagen remodeling, which is the final phase of wound healing. Alongside these wound care treatments, she said there is an overlap with aesthetic procedures offered by Charleston Wound Care, such as an intense pulsed light laser that targets sun damage and dark spots.
With over 20 years of experience as an RN, nurse practitioner Kari Yocum added that she often sees three patients an hour. Despite the fast pace of her day, she makes a point of chatting with each of them, making sure they are following their plan and that it’s working for them. When necessary, she makes changes, orders additional tests and communicates with dermatologists and primary care professionals. Throughout the process, she educates patients and their families.
“The most important part of my work is advocating for patients by ensuring that they understand and comply with their care plan so they will heal,” she said.
Charleston Wound Care
Angela Farr, Kayley Manini, Kari Yocum
180 Wingo Way, Ste. 101, Mount Pleasant
843-800-1215
1525 Ashley River Road, Ste. A, Charleston
843-612-5350
1229 Nexton Parkway, Unit A, Summerville
843-585-3577
charlestonwoundcare.com
