Dear Readers,

Not often does one get to be a part of something very special. Recently, I was invited to be a part of the first national meeting of the Mexican Wound Care Society, the Association Mexicana para el Cuidado Integral y Cicatrización de Heridas (AMCICHAC). Dr. José Contreras Ruiz and his associates have been working diligently to establish a national wound care society in Mexico.With help from the Canadian Association for Wound Care, the Canadian Association of Enterostomal Therapists, and the Association for the Advancement of Wound Care in the United States, Dr. Ruiz and his colleagues successfully established the AMCICHAC in 2006 and most recently held their first “Congreso Nacional” in Veracruz, Mexico. More than 300 people attended the 4-day meeting.Morning programs consisted of 3 concurrent sessions, while each afternoon program had one plenary session.The lectures had simultaneous translation into English for us “gringos” and translation into Spanish for speakers unable to give presentations in the native tongue. I enjoyed visiting the exhibits,which looked much like those at meetings in the United States. Several companies with familiar names were present. Visiting with the company representatives immediately reminded me of how fortunate we are in the US. Many of the familiar companies had only a few of their products available in Mexico. Some of the products I use on a daily basis had either just arrived in Mexico or were not yet available. I had a great time conversing with these representatives, as I shared my extensive experience about products they only recently received.

I was asked to speak about new wound management technologies. I learned from my teaching experience in Ecuador to emphasize the new techniques that would be useful in their setting, and not to spend much time on unavailable products. Many of the new technologies there are the “tried and true” for us.This is something wound care professionals must always remember when we teach. In many locations, silver dressings, growth factor therapy, and tissue engineered skin products are but a few of the technologies that may not be available for years.We should share our knowledge about treatments that can be readily used such as, techniques in debridement, and compression therapy for venous ulcer disease and lymphedema. Any change of mindset not to think of amputation as the primary treatment of leg ulcers is essential.

It was an honor to participate in the First National Congress of the AMCICHAC. I congratulate Dr. José Contreras Ruiz and his team on an excellent meeting. I wish them continued success in their goal to educate the medical community, the politicians, and the patients in Mexico that wounds can be healed and many disabling amputations can be avoided. I encourage each of us to become involved with our neighboring friends in support of their efforts to help patients with wound problems.