Redesigning care, with your safety top of mind.
Hospitals and medical offices are now permitted to see patients for all types of care, including elective surgery. We have been working hard to ensure that the hospital and physicians' practices are ready for you. Please call your provider or login to MyChart to schedule an in-person or telehealth video visit today!
Keeping You Safe
Hospitals and medical offices are now permitted to see patients for all types of care, including elective surgery. We have been working hard to ensure that the hospital and physicians' practices are ready for you. We have redesigned the way we provide care with your safety in mind.We will continue to offer telehealth video visits for anyone who prefers that option. However, we want to reassure you that we are taking the necessary steps to protect your safety when you need to come to the hospital, a primary care office, or one of our specialty practices.
Some of the measures GBMC Health Partners is taking to protect patients include:
- GBMC Health Partners is seeing patients in person and via telehealth video visits. Using video visits allows you to talk with your doctor without leaving home. This reduces the number of patients coming through the office and decreases the potential for inadvertent exposure of patients and staff to COVID-19. Thus, in-person visits can be done safely for those who need them. We encourage you to utilize MyChart for your telehealth needs, and you can also call your doctor if you need help. We are ready to assist you.
- Extensive cleaning of all work spaces and patient areas is performed between encounters and throughout the day.
- Temperature screening stations are in place at hospital entrances and in our practices. All patients, providers, and staff members have their temperature checked upon arrival and must wear masks (along with other appropriate personal protective equipment "PPE" if necessary).
- All patients are asked COVID-19 screening questions when they make their appointment and again when they arrive. Patients are given specific appointment times to limit the number of people in the offices at one time, and are kept in private exam rooms during their visits.
- To allow for safe distancing, our office hours may be adjusted during this time, and offices themselves have been rearranged. In certain locations, there may be physical barriers in place, and in some cases, family members may be asked to wait in their vehicles. A family member or friend may accompany a patient if it is medically necessary for the patient, or if the patient is a minor.
- All surgical patients are tested for COVID-19 pre-operatively.
- COVID-19 positive patients and patients under investigation (PUIs) who require hospital admission are sequestered in the hospital. Outpatients who are COVID-19 positive or PUIs are encouraged to utilize telehealth video visits to determine whether in-person care is needed.
Offering the latest advancements and modalities in wound healing
The Wound Center at GBMC takes a multidisciplinary and comprehensive approach to wound care. Our patients have access to experts in vascular surgery, podiatry, infectious disease, and plastic surgery, as well as our highly experienced nursing team.
The Center utilizes the newest clinical tools in wound healing along with traditional clinical practices. We focus on the whole body throughout the healing process. This includes nutritional assessment and counseling, diabetic education, pain management, and patient and caregiver counseling.
Patients who benefit from hyperbaric oxygen therapy will receive a comprehensive evaluation to assess appropriateness of this therapy. They will be treated seamlessly in one of our six hyperbaric oxygen chambers following national guidelines. GBMC boasts some of the best healing rates in the Baltimore area.
The Center utilizes the newest clinical tools in wound healing along with traditional clinical practices. We focus on the whole body throughout the healing process. This includes nutritional assessment and counseling, diabetic education, pain management, and patient and caregiver counseling.
Patients who benefit from hyperbaric oxygen therapy will receive a comprehensive evaluation to assess appropriateness of this therapy. They will be treated seamlessly in one of our six hyperbaric oxygen chambers following national guidelines. GBMC boasts some of the best healing rates in the Baltimore area.
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Our Team
Select a provider below to learn more
Jennifer A. Heller, MD, RPVI, FACS
Medical Director, GBMC Wound Center; Director, Vein Center
Dr. Heller is the Director of the Vein Center at GBMC and Medical Director of the GBMC Wound Center. She previously served as Assistant Professor of Surgery at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and as Director of the Johns Hopkins Vein Centers. A graduate of George Washington University School of Medicine in Washington, D.C., Dr. Heller completed her surgical residency, including a year as Administrative Chief Resident, at Boston University Medical Center. She completed her Vascular Surgery fellowship at New York Presbyterian Hospital.
The healthcare team consists of highly trained specialists in the fields of vascular surgery, plastic surgery, general surgery, podiatry, and internal medicine allowing for a more comprehensive, interdisciplinary approach. Each physician has been specialty-trained in wound management.
Brian J. Belgin, DPMBoard-certified Podiatric Surgery
A graduate of Ohio College of Podiatric Medicine, Dr. Belgin has been in practice since 2004 specializing in podiatric surgery.
Damon Cooney, MD, FACSBoard-certified Plastic Surgery
Dr. Cooney is a plastic and reconstructive surgeon who specializes in microsurgery for a variety of conditions. Dr. Cooney earned his medical degree at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center. He completed his residency at St John's Hospital - SIU School of Medicine.
Craig Friedman, DPMBoard-certified Podiatric Surgery
Dr. Friedman received his medical degree from the University of Maryland and completed his residency at the Temple University School of Podiatric Medicine. Dr. Friedman has been in practice since 1993.
Bradford Houck, PA-CVascular and General Surgery
Brad earned his Physician’s Assistant degree from The Touro College of Health Sciences in 1979. He joined Vascular Surgery Associates in 1995.
Cathleen M. Barenski, CRNPVascular and Vein Surgery
Cathleen Barenski serves as the Nurse Practitioner in the Wound Center at GBMC. In 1998, Cathleen obtained her Registered Nurse degree and in 2002, she received her Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (ACNP) degree, both from The Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing. For more than 11 years, she served as an ACNP in the Johns Hopkins Weinberg Surgical Intensive Care Unit. In December of 2014, she joined the Hopkins Vein Center under Dr. Jennifer Heller and participated in patient care and several clinical research studies. Cathleen is excited to be a part of the new Vein center at GBMC. She will be expanding her scope of practice to include laser aesthetics such as tattoo removal, laser hair removal, and injection sclerotherapy for spider veins.
David Kitchen, CRNP, CWSCDavid Kitchen graduated from University of Buffalo with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing in 1998 and is working at Greater Baltimore Medical Center's Surgical Intensive Care Unit. He received his Master of Science Degree in Nursing from University of Maryland in 2010. He earned his certification as Adult/Gerontological Nurse Practitioner in 2011 and began training in wound care that same year. He has worked as a nurse practitioner in wound management and recently joined the team at the Greater Baltimore Center for Rehabilitation Medicine working with lymphedema patients. He is using the knowledge and experience that he has gained from working with a wide variety of patients including medical, surgical, and critical care, as well as outpatient.
Our Services
Wound Center staff will develop a treatment program based on the patient's individual needs. This program will include regular visits to the Wound Center to provide treatment, evaluate progress and make any changes needed to improve the healing process. The Center utilizes the newest clinical tools in wound healing along with traditional clinical practices including:
- Wound dressings
- Debridement
- Compression therapy
- Hyperbaric oxygen therapy
- Prescriptive growth factors
- Bio-engineered skin grafting
- Edema management
- Non-invasive vascular assessment
- Nutritional assessment and counseling
- Diabetic education
- Patient and caregiver counseling
- Pain management
- Special needs for pressure relief including beds, seat cushions and footwear.
Under Pressure: Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Explained
"The goal was to work quickly to save the tissue and prevent further damage. I had Ms. Campbell start hyperbaric oxygen therapy that afternoon."
Read Kelly's StoryNew Patient Information
When you come in, you will meet with our staff for a consultation, including an examination and medical history evaluation. Your physician along with our wound care team will establish a treatment plan. Information regarding your progress will be submitted to your physician on an ongoing basis. Depending on your situation, you may require additional non-invasive tests that provide information about blood flow in the wound area.
What you need to bring for your appointment:- Any medical records regarding your current wound or related condition (lab tests, vascular studies, x-rays, or wound cultures)
- All medications you are currently taking in their original containers, including aspirin, vitamins, and herbal supplements
- A list of all medication or food allergies
- If you require oxygen, please bring an adequate supply
- Bring insurance cards and forms
- If you have diabetes, bring a snack and your medication
- Name, address and telephone number of the physician(s) you currently see
- A legal guardian MUST accompany patients who are unable to comprehend or sign appropriate forms
- If you have an Advanced Directive, please bring a copy with you
- Reading material. Your first visit will last 1 ½ to 2 hours
One our our RN/Case Managers will introduce herself, review your prior medical history, photograph and measure your wound and provide you with additional information regarding the remainder of your visit. A physician specialty-trained in wound management will develop a plan of care with you to ensure maximum healing of your wound.
Patient Testimonials
“I was seen at the wound clinic for my first time. The staff was wonderful. The nurse Mary Hoover made me feel comfortable and at ease. I was seen by Dr. Belgin. He explained why my foot had swollen and what caused the infection. He was able to trim away some callused area and referred me back to Podiatry for a follow up and new orthotics. I was able to wear a shoe for the first time in 3 months. Thank you, Wound Center!!”
“The care is wonderful. The nurses and other providers are caring, thoughtful, and excellent caregivers.”
— Submitted by grateful patient M.H.
“The care is wonderful. The nurses and other providers are caring, thoughtful, and excellent caregivers.”
— Submitted by grateful patient D.F.
“Such a caring and knowledgeable staff. Impressed that everyone spoke to my daughter who has disabilities and gave her time to respond. I feel more equipped about taking care of her wound.”
— Submitted by anonymous patient
“So so grateful for all the nurses and especially Dr. Belgin for the wonderful care my husband has received since we've been coming here! It's been a long 3 years and they made it all worth it in the end. Thank you!!”
— Submitted by anonymous patient
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