Written by Desmond Bell, DPM, CWS

Looking back, my career in medicine has spanned over 40 years, serving as a volunteer, an orderly, and for the past 25 years as a podiatric physician. What a career it has been, and currently is! Not from a boastful standpoint, but just in a collection of profound experiences that motivate me and inspire me daily.

I remember when I was a teenager, working as an orderly in a hospital in northern New Jersey. A patient on one of the med-surg floors was treated for a Stage IV sacral wound, and I would often assist the nurses during dressing changes. Dressing changes for this unfortunate patient were typically performed every shift, and the patient remained in the same hospital for more than a year before he finally died. I immensely enjoy providing wound care, and my favorite aspects include giving hope where previously there has been frustration and pain. Seeing someone regain independence and quality of life is a great reward, especially when amputation of a foot or leg was previously the only option offered. Naturally, this joy led me to medical school.

I am a graduate of Tulane University, New Orleans, Louisiana. I graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Psychology. My thirst for knowledge was not sated, for I found myself in medical school shortly thereafter. I received my Doctor of Podiatric Medicine Degree from the Temple University School of Podiatric Medicine in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

The most pivotal year of my career came during my first year of residency. I was working at the Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Philadelphia. My time there led me to recognize the importance of wound care and limb preservation. An additional year of surgical training in Langhorne, PA, at the Delaware Valley Medical Center, and then a move to Florida in 1997 allowed me to further pursue my passion in wound care. I established my private practice, which evolved into a free-standing wound center. Writing, lecturing, and immersing myself in the wound care community have allowed me to meet so many talented and kindred spirits who share the desire to continually improve outcomes and quality of life for our patients.

Today, I am the founder and president of The Save A Leg, Save a Life Foundation, a multi-disciplinary non-profit organization dedicated to reducing lower extremity amputations and improving wound healing outcomes through education, evidence-based methodology, and community outreach. I also serve as the Chief Medical Officer of Omeza, a medtech and consumer healthcare company. I am also a physician coach with MD Coaches and a consultant with Arche Healthcare.

In 2022, I was named Difference Maker: Humanitarian by the Symposium on Advanced Wound Care. I was awarded the First Humanitarian Award by Specialty Hospital Jacksonville in 2009 and Memorial Hospital Jacksonville in 2018.

Professional Achievements
· Medical School – Podiatric Medicine, Temple University School of Podiatric Medicine
· Chief Podiatric Resident–Department of Veteran Affairs Medical Center
· President and Co-Founder – Wound Summit Outreach, Inc
· Founder and President – Save A Leg, Save a Life Foundation
· Chief Medical Officer -Omeza
· Physician Coach with MD