Courtesy photo The new OSF wound care center is located in the inside John & Melissa Besse Physical Rehabilitation and Wellness Center at 300 Willow Creek Road in Escanaba.

ESCANABA – OSF HealthCare St. Francis Hospital & Medical Group in Escanaba now houses a new clinic.

On Feb. 12, OSF opened the doors to its new wound care clinic.

The new clinic, offers patients support for acute and chronic wounds. Director of Physician Offices Samantha Larson, BSN, RN said the planning process for the new clinic began in fall of 2024, and completed this month.

“We recognized the need to have these services available locally for our patients,” Larson explained.

The center provides various wound care treatments including debridement, biological tissue treatments and specialized bandages.

Those with “non-healing wounds, pressure ulcers, infections that aren’t resolving with treatment. Patients with chronic conditions such as diabetes, coronary artery disease or patients with poor circulation,” Larson said.

The center is an outpatient facility with a traditional design.

“(The) hours and clinic layout more closely resembles an office setting versus a hospital setting,” she said.

Larson said the new center is a great addition to community as it gives residents additional options for medical care.

“This allows patients to decrease drive times if they are local to our community. We are able to get our patients in who rely on public transportation or do not have the means to travel to clinics in outlying communities,” she explained.

OSF was able to develop the center without adding more space or renovating an existing space.

“We were able to make use of the existing space that was set up with this in mind,” Larson said.

Wendy Frye, MD and Anne Blankenhelm, PA are two of the OSF staffers providing treatment in the new center.

“Both providers are experienced in working with and treating patients with these conditions and are excited for the opportunity to serve these members of the community in a dedicated space providing comfort and dignity,” OSF stated in a press release.

OSF Wound Care is located inside John & Melissa Besse Physical Rehabilitation and Wellness Center at 300 Willow Creek Road, Escanaba. OSF says new patients are encouraged to gain a referral but not it is required for treatment. Referral may be required for insurance, however. For more information, contact the clinic at (906) 233-4130.

“We’re very excited to offer this service for the community,” Larson said.