At Cherokee Indian Hospital Authority (CIHA), we know that healing is more than just treatment; it’s comfort, consistency, and care that respects your time and your journey. That’s why having a Certified Wound Ostomy Nurse (CWON) team right here at home is essential. Based on community input and at the directive of CIHA’s Governing Board, continuing wound care services to CIHA was prioritized in the 2024 Strategic Plan. Continued access to wound ostomy care was identified as a priority by the CIHA staff and they have worked to continue implementation of these important services.
Today, our CWONs are specially trained nurses who care for patients in outpatient clinics, the Emergency Department, and inpatient hospital settings. They work with patients who have chronic and complex wounds, burns, pressure injuries, diabetic ulcers, and those living with colostomies, ileostomies, or urostomies.
“CIHA is proud to be the only facility west of Asheville with two certified ostomy nurses on staff,” said CIHA CEO Casey Cooper. “That means faster access, fewer referrals, and more direct support for our patients. Whether it’s wound infection monitoring, advanced dressing applications, or ostomy appliance fittings, the team is here to make sure every patient feels supported, informed, and empowered.”
Their expertise doesn’t stop at dressing wounds. They’re key members of a multidisciplinary team that includes physical therapists, medical providers, diabetic educators, pharmacists, and nutritionists, making sure each patient receives comprehensive, individualized care.
Prior to expanding care at CIHA to include ostomy services, patients would have to travel as far as Sylva or Asheville for specialized care for ostomy needs. That’s a big ask for anyone, especially those already coping with pain, limited mobility, or chronic conditions. By offering these services on campus, we’re saving our patients hours of travel and wait time, while also improving healing outcomes.
CWONs do more than just treat ailments, they help prevent them. From teaching patients and families how to care for new ostomies, to helping prevent infections and avoid hospital readmissions, their work improves both quality of care and quality of life.
One example of this care in action is CIHA’s CWON team’s work with patients suffering from Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD)—a condition that can lead to limb loss if wounds don’t heal properly. Through early intervention, team-based care, and coordination with vascular specialists, CIHA has helped prevent amputations and preserve mobility for many patients.
CIHA believes healthcare should be accessible, specialized, and built around the needs of our community. Wound and ostomy care is about more than healing, it’s about dignity, prevention, and meeting patients where they are.