Patient Results

Three healthcare professionals in surgical gear, including masks and headlamps, focused on a medical procedure.

Graphic Medical Content Below

WARNING:

The images below are real patient cases treated by the AAA Wound Care team. These medical photos may contain graphic content, including open wounds and surgical procedures. Viewer discretion is advised, especially for those sensitive to medical imagery.

A Tale of Two Patients: Why We Do What We Do

I first saw her while visiting another patient.

She was elderly, with dementia, and conserved—no family involved, only a court-appointed conservator. What caught my attention was the tumor growing on her cheek. I looked into her chart, and saw that her physician had noted it would be addressed.

But it wasn’t.

I don’t know how long she had been living with it before I first saw her, but after that day, she lived with that tumor for another year. Because of her dementia, she wasn’t fully aware of what was happening to her body. But to those around her—the staff who cared for her daily—it was heartbreaking. Her condition wasn’t just a medical issue; it was a loss of dignity.

Eventually, she passed away with that tumor still on her face.

That experience stayed with me.

Conserved Patient 1

Close-up of a severe skin infection or open wound on the side of a person's face, showing redness, inflammation, and pus.

Some time later, at a different facility, I came across a similar situation. Another elderly, conserved patient with dementia. Another tumor on the face. When I asked about it, I was told that a specialist was planning to address it.

Months went by, and when I saw her again, the tumor had grown. The same note remained—treatment was still "being planned."

At that moment, I recognized a pattern.

Patients like these—elderly, with no family to advocate for them, often with limited resources—can easily be overlooked in the system. They rely on others to see them, to act.

This time, there was still a chance for this patient to avoid the same fate.

Even though I wasn’t her primary physician, I felt compelled to take action. I contacted her conservator’s office daily for two weeks. Eventually, I received permission to proceed.

Conserved Patient 2

Close-up of a large, irregular skin lesion on the cheek, appearing reddish and inflamed.
Close-up of a severe skin ulcer or wound on human skin, with an open circular lesion showing tissue damage and discoloration, surrounded by inflamed skin.

Patient on January 05, 2023

During the height of the COVID pandemic, I performed a bedside procedure and removed the tumor. And it was a good thing that we took care of the problem when we still could because the patient continues to be alive after three years. That’s three years she lived without that ugly thing on her face - three years the nursing staff got to see what patient advocacy could do to protect the people we care for.

This is why we do what we do.

Our day to day is not always dramatic as it was with this elderly patient. Sometimes, it’s simply reaching out to a family member who doesn’t yet know the full picture. But every patient deserves to be seen, and none should be forgotten when help is possible.

Patient on February 15, 2023 and April 1, 2023

Close-up of a red, heart-shaped lesion on human skin with surrounding inflammation.
Close-up of bruised skin with red and purple discoloration.

Our mission is clear:

To provide compassionate, high-quality care to all patients—regardless of race, age, gender, nationality, or socioeconomic status.

Good medicine should change destiny.

- Dr. Aram
April 24, 2025