IVCH wound center medical director Dr. Tom Curry, center, accepts the Center of Distinction Award from Healogics area program director Melissa Ellis-Raydo. Also pictured, left to right, are IVCH vice president Jim Schaefer, wound center physician panel member Dr. Larry Ketner, and Chris Magnuson, RN, clinical nurse manager. (Photo contributed)

PERU - The Illinois Valley Community Hospital Wound and Hyperbaric Center has been recognized with a national award for clinical excellence by Healogics, the nation’s leading and largest wound care management company.

The Center of Distinction Award recognized the IVCH wound center for achieving outstanding clinical outcomes for 12 consecutive months. Criteria for earning the award included achieving a wound healing rate for the center’s patients of at least 91 percent in less than 31 days and having a patient satisfaction score higher than 92 percent.

“Over the past year, your wound center has demonstrated a superior commitment to excellence for our patients,” said David Bassin, Healogics chief executive officer, in notifying IVCH of the award.

The announcement coincides with the observance of the wound center’s fifth anniversary. IVCH opened the wound center in 2013 to provide care for chronic and slow-healing wounds. The center saw nearly 400 new patients last year and has treated more than 1,500 patients since it opened, according to Jill Smoode, RN, clinical program director.

The IVCH center is the only wound clinic along the I-80 corridor in Illinois that offers hyperbaric oxygen therapy.

Dr. Tom Curry is the wound center’s medical director. Other doctors on the physician panel include Dr. Hussein Zaioor and Dr. Larry Ketner.

“IVCH is honored to receive this award,” said Tommy Hobbs, IVCH chief executive officer. “The doctors and staff at our wound center have helped hundreds of Illinois Valley residents lead better lives during the past five years. This is a service we are proud to offer.”