Local Trumpet Player Back to the Music Thanks to Saint Mary's Hospital Wound Healing Center

WATERBURY, Conn. -- Harold Zinno is happy to be back on his feet and playing gigs again, “I was forced to cancel 6 months of engagements. But I’m happy to be making up for lost time.”

Harold, a trumpet player and diabetic, suffered a severe complication on one of his big toes in October 2022, which after months of treatment, required amputation. Following his surgery, the Wound Healing Center at Saint Mary’s Hospital cared for Harold using the latest therapies and hyperbaric chamber treatment to help his foot heal thoroughly, safely, and quickly.

While anyone can develop a foot ulcer, people with diabetes are at an increased risk. Twenty-five percent of individuals with diabetes will experience a diabetic foot ulcer. If left untreated, chronic wounds can lead to infection, hospitalization, and amputation. It’s important for people to perform regular foot checks, respond to any pain and discomfort and seek professional treatment when needed.

Saint Mary’s Hospital recently announced its Wound Healing Center has once again been recognized as a Center of Distinction, awarded by Healogics, the nation’s largest provider of advanced wound care services. The Center achieved outstanding clinical outcomes for twelve consecutive months, including patient satisfaction rates higher than 92 percent and a minimum wound healing rate of at least 92 percent within 28 median days to heal.

Saint Mary’s Wound Healing Center, established in 2005, is a member of the Healogics network of over 600 Wound Care Centers and offers highly specialized wound care to patients suffering from diabetic foot ulcers, pressure ulcers, infections and other chronic wounds which have not healed in a reasonable amount of time.

“I’m very proud of the work we are doing in the Wound Healing Center,” said Peter Jacoby, M.D., medical director of the Center. “We’re focused on utilizing cutting edge treatments and therapies, as well as proven techniques and procedures to ensure our patients are receiving the best care possible, because ultimately they are our priority.”

Advanced wound care modalities provided by Saint Mary’s wound care experts include negative pressure wound therapy, total contact casting, bio-engineered tissues biosynthetic dressings and growth factor therapies. The Center also offers hyperbaric oxygen therapy, which works by surrounding the patient with 100 percent oxygen to help progress the healing of the wound.

“This recognition reflects the high-quality patient outcomes we strive for at the Wound Healing Center and throughout our organization,” said Husnain Kermalli, M.D., Chief Medical Officer of Saint Mary’s Hospital. “The collaboration between our outstanding nurses and doctors, and the leadership of the Healogics team plays a vital role in achieving top level care directly benefiting our patients.”

As for Harold, he and his 10-piece horn band are back on the circuit. “I can’t thank the entire Wound Care team enough. They’re all fantastic, from the doctors to the nurses.”