Advancing the practice and delivery of expert healthcare of Wound, Ostomy, and Continence care.


Our Mission, Vision, and Values
National
MISSION
The Wound, Ostomy, and Continence Nurses Society™ is a professional community dedicated to advancing the practice and delivery of expert healthcare to individuals with wound, ostomy, and continence care needs. We support our members’ practice through advocacy, education, and research.
VISION
To be the preferred community for wound, ostomy, and continence advocacy, education, and research recognized for promoting safe and effective care worldwide.
VALUES
Integrity
Demonstrated by uncompromised dedication to be a trusted, unbiased, and credible source of evidence-based information and expertise.
Leadership
Demonstrated by being stewards of excellence with a common passion for mutual respect, shared experience, and life-long learning.
Knowledge
Demonstrated by continuing commitment to education and research to generate and disseminate knowledge that improves patient outcome
TWOCN
MISSION
The Tucson Affiliate of the WOCN® Society’s mission is to share our expertise with medical professionals and to support the development of the CWOCN®. Our goals are to sponsor educational opportunities, organize events in the community, and research the latest trends in clinical best practices. This will provide high standards of nursing care for patients with wounds, ostomies and/or continence issues.
VISION
The affiliate strives toward excellence in the provision of ongoing professional education and development for affiliate members and allied health care professionals.
Welcome New Members
Shawneen Schmitt
Member Spotlight
Mark has been a nurse for 16 years and a CWOCN since 2020. He started his career in 1980 as an aquatic ecologist, working in the academic, public, and private sectors. Looking for a change of pace and a way to serve the Tucson community, he completed the University of Arizona’s accelerated BSN program and got his RN license in 2007. He’s worked at the University Medical Center (now Banner Health) his whole nursing career, which has included bedside (cardiology, urology, GYN/ONC, ENT), informatics (EHR support and implementation), and ambulatory (wound care for podiatry). Mark balances his nursing practice with music (performing jazz, kirtan, folk, and gospel music); hiking and singing with his wife, Sally; and travel, especially to visit the grandkids. His most recent trip was to Boston, where he braved sub-zero wind-chills to see his new grand daughter this past February.