Wound Care Advantage Expands Network with Launch of Rutherford Wound Care and Hyperbaric Center

New center brings advanced wound care and hyperbaric oxygen therapy to Rutherfordton, North Carolina community

SIERRA MADRE, CA, UNITED STATES, April 2, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ -- Wound Care Advantage (WCA) is proud to announce its partnership with Rutherford Regional Health System in the launch of the Rutherford Wound Care and Hyperbaric Center, now open and serving patients in Rutherfordton, North Carolina. The center officially celebrated its ribbon-cutting on March 20, 2026, with local and state leaders, healthcare partners, and community members in attendance.

The center treated its first patient on February 23, 2026, and is filling up quickly,—a strong early signal of both community need and clinical effectiveness.

Addressing a Critical Gap in Rural Wound Care

Chronic, non-healing wounds are a serious and growing public health challenge. Left untreated, they can lead to infection, hospitalization, and amputation. For communities in rural North Carolina, access to specialized wound care has historically been limited—requiring patients to travel significant distances for services available in larger metropolitan areas.

The Rutherford Wound Care and Hyperbaric Center changes that. By bringing advanced treatment options, including hyperbaric oxygen therapy, directly to the Rutherfordton community, the center enables patients to receive expert care close to home. The center specializes in treating diabetic wounds, chronic non-healing wounds, and traumatic injuries—conditions that disproportionately affect rural populations with higher rates of diabetes and vascular disease.

A Partnership Built for Patient Outcomes

Rutherford Regional Health System selected WCA as its wound care partner to ensure the center launched with the clinical protocols, operational infrastructure, and performance standards necessary to deliver exceptional, sustainable care from day one.

"Our goal is to bring advanced, compassionate care closer to home for the patients we serve," said Sudandra Ratnasamy, CEO of Rutherford Regional Health System. "Through this center, we are able to provide cutting-edge treatment that supports faster healing, reduces complications, and improves outcomes for our patients."

WCA brings over 24 years of wound care expertise and has assisted over 200 wound centers nationwide through its VOICE methodology—a proven framework for optimizing clinical, operational, and financial performance. For Rutherford Regional, that means a center equipped not just to open, but to grow, perform, and serve its community for years to come.

"Rutherford Regional exemplifies what we look for in a partner—a genuine commitment to the community they serve and the leadership to invest in doing it right," said Mike Comer, CEO and Founder of Wound Care Advantage. "We're proud to support this team as they bring world-class wound care to patients who need it most."

Expanding Access, Improving Lives

Josh Dobson, President and CEO of the North Carolina Healthcare Association, highlighted the broader significance of the center's launch, noting that expanding access to specialized services in rural communities directly improves patient outcomes and strengthens local healthcare systems.

That mission is at the heart of WCA's work. Every wound center in the WCA network is supported with dedicated clinical coaching, unified performance analytics through WCA's Luvo platform, and evidence-based protocols designed to reduce amputations, prevent hospital readmissions, and improve quality of life for patients with complex wounds.

"Rutherford Regional is doing this the right way—investing in their community with the infrastructure to back it up. We're proud to be part of that mission." said Mike Comer.

Health systems looking to bring advanced wound care to their communities can learn more about partnering with WCA at thewca.com/partnerships.

Now Open and Accepting Patients

The Rutherford Wound Care and Hyperbaric Center is now open and accepting referrals. Patients and providers seeking specialized wound care can visit
MyRutherfordRegional.com/wound-care or call 828.287.2684 to learn more or schedule an appointment. 288 S. Ridgecrest Street, Rutherfordton, NC 28139

About Wound Care Advantage

Wound Care Advantage (WCA) is the nation's leading wound center consultancy, helping hospital networks optimize clinical outcomes, compliance, and profitability across their wound care and hyperbaric medicine programs. Founded 24 years ago on the mission that every community deserves access to advanced wound care and hyperbaric medicine, WCA has partnered with over 200 wound centers nationwide. Learn more at thewca.com.

Wound Care Advantage
+1 888-484-3922
email us here
Chris Schellenbach

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