Wounds Australia CEO Jeff Antcliff this month joined the annual American Limb Preservation Society (ALPS) conference in Anaheim, California, in a trip that saw our research plans advanced and international networks strengthened. He reports on that trip here. 

Advances in practice and research

Congratulations to our friends at ALPS on a hugely successful DFCon 2025. The Memorandum of Understanding signed by our organisations in June allows for reciprocal attendance at our conferences, and I was pleased to represent Wounds Australia in Anaheim. 

Its packed program explored limb preservation from many perspectives in practice and research, across a hybrid in-person and online format. A special highlight for me was a Healthy Roundtable on the patient story; its speakers were people living with amputation and chronic lower limb wounds – a powerful reminder of why our mutual work to minimise the harm caused by wounds is so crucial. 

An exciting workshop program presented by another Wounds Australia affiliate, the Association for the Advancement of Wound Care (AAWC) saw delegates from a range of care contexts come together to learn practical skills and knowledge. 

In the Exhibition Hall I met representatives from the US divisions of many Wounds Australia Corporate Partners, including Solventum, Essity and Convatec. 

Congratulations to all at ALPS, in particular Chairman Dr David Armstrong, for producing such an informative and impactful event. 

Strengthening relationships

I used my time in Anaheim to maximum effect and had many fruitful conversations with partners and affiliates old and new. 

I was pleased to advance plans with the AAWC for a joint research project about which I will share more in coming months. And I am delighted to reveal that its President Kara Couch MS, CRNP, CWCN-AP (pictured) will be one of three international keynote speakers at the Wounds Australia 2026 Conference in Adelaide. 

Another Wounds Conference keynote, legendary surgeon and leader in diabetic foot research Professor Dr José Luis Lázaro Martínez (pictured), spoke at DFCon 2025, and I was happy to meet him during the conference. 

I also met several exciting US-based research groups and industry organisations, and was able to connect them with existing Wounds Australia Corporate Partners. I look forward to seeing these connections bear fruit. 

Be Wound Aware on the international stage

Feedback from ALPS, AAWC and other partners on the Be Wound Aware campaign to educate consumers about wounds was incredibly positive. In particular, the culturally appropriate educational resources created by our partners the Central Australian Aboriginal Congress and shared through Be Wound Aware really struck a chord. I expect these conversations to continue in 2026, allowing Wounds Australia to demonstrate real global leadership in this area. 

Thank you to ALPS

DFCon 2025 was a fantastic opportunity to engage with our international peers, and to forge stronger bonds with our existing affiliates and partners. Thanks to our friends at ALPS for a warm welcome and for their enthusiasm for working more closely with us in future and we look forward to growing the partnership.

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