
International Skin Tear Advisory Panel
Our History
ISTAP was founded in 2011 by Co-chairs: Dr. Kimberly LeBlanc (Canada) and Sharon Baranoski (USA), and Panel members: Dr. Karen Campbell (Canada), Dr. Kerlyn Carville (Australia), Dawn Christensen (Canada), Karen Edwards (USA), Mary Gloeckner (USA), Samantha Holloway (UK), Dr. Diane Langemo (USA), Alicia Madore (USA), Mary Ann Sammon (USA), Ann Williams (USA), and Dr. Mary Regan (USA)

ISTAP Past Presidents
Sharon Baranoski
2015-2016
Kimberly LeBlanc
2016-2018
Karen Campbell
2018-2020
​Dimitri Beeckman
2020-2022
The History of the International Skin Tear Advisory Panel (ISTAP)
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By: Kimberly LeBlanc PhD, RN, NSWOC, WOCC(C), IIWCC
What led to ISTAP being created?
Sharon Baranoski and Kimberley LeBlanc were co-presenters during the World Union of Wound Healing Societies (WUWHS) 2008 Toronto Congress. Along with Dawn Christensen, Sharon and Kim shared passion for skin tears and the lack of published evidence prompted them to convene a consensus panel of experts in 2011 with the generous funding from Hollister Wound care.
What were ISTAPs first publications?
An international survey of knowledge, attitude and practice of healthcare professionals provided a great insight into the extent of the problem of skin tear preventions, assessment and management:
LeBlanc, K., Baranoski, S., Holloway, S., Langemo, D., & Regan, M. (2014). A descriptive cross-sectional international study to explore current practices in assessment, prevention and treatment of skin tears. International Wound Journal, 11(1), 424-430.
This provided an excellent platform for the subsequent body of work that lead to the development of a set of consensus statements:
LeBlanc, K, Baranoski, S, Christensen, D., Langemo, D., Sammon, M., Edwards, K., Holloway, S., Gloeckner, M., Williams, A., Carville, K., Campbell, K., Madori, A., Regan, M. (2011). State of the science: Consensus statements for the prevention, prediction, assessment and treatment of skin tears. Advances in Skin and Wound care, 24(9), 2.
Who were the original ISTAP panel members?
Co-chairs: Dr. Kimberly LeBlanc (Canada) and Sharon Baranoski (USA)
Panel members: Dr. Karen Campbell (Canada), Dr. Kerlyn Carville (Australia), Dawn Christensen (Canada), Karen Edwards (USA), Mary Gloeckner (USA), Samantha Holloway (UK), Dr. Diane Langemo (USA), Alicia Madore (USA), Mary Ann Sammon (USA), Ann Williams (USA), and Dr. Mary Regan (USA)
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Kimberley LeBlanc (ISTAP President) and Ann Williams (ISTAP Treasurer) at the WUWHS Conference, Florence, Italy, September 2016

August 2016 in Chicago, Illinois, USA

ISTAP was founded in 2011 by Co-chairs: Dr. Kimberly LeBlanc (Canada) and Sharon Baranoski (USA), and Panel members: Dr. Karen Campbell (Canada), Dr. Kerlyn Carville (Australia), Dawn Christensen (Canada), Karen Edwards (USA), Mary Gloeckner (USA), Samantha Holloway (UK), Dr. Diane Langemo (USA), Alicia Madore (USA), Mary Ann Sammon (USA), Ann Williams (USA), and Dr. Mary Regan (USA)
What have been the other milestones in ISTAPs history?
In January 2016, ISTAP became an official interest group of Nurses Specialized in Wound, Ostomy and Continence Canada (NSWOCC). The NSWOCC is a Canadian nursing association dedicated to advancing the care of individuals living with wound, ostomy, and continence related issues. The NSWOCC has provided oversite and managerial support to ISTAP and has been instrumental in the growth of ISTAP.

What are some of ISTAPs achievements?
ISTAP have now published 24 manuscripts including 2 Best Practice Recommendation documents in relation to the prevention, assessment and management of skin tears as well as 1 on prevention and management of periwound skin complications.
Visit Articles & Publications
In 2016, ISTAP was awarded the WUWHS most progressive society award for its contribution towards establishing a robust body of literature concerning skin tears.
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The ISTAP now includes 19 global expert members from 11 countries who are continuing our mission for A World Without Skin Tears.




























