By By Lisa Tindell – news editor
Patients with problem wounds will soon have an opportunity for local treatment instead of having to drive to nearby cities, thanks to a new clinic schedule to open this week in Brewton.
Chris Griffin, administrator at D.W. McMillan Memorial Hospital, said the new wound care program is being made possible through the cooperative efforts of health care professionals in this region.
The program, which will be housed at 1108 Douglas Ave. adjacent to the Hines Realty complex, will specialize in the treatment of problem wounds. The facility will hold an open house event Monday from 3 to 6 p.m. The clinic will open for patient care beginning Tuesday.
Jim Faxlanger, who serves as director of business development for Santa Rosa Medical Center, said the local clinic is an answer to wound care for patients and physicians in the Brewton area.
Faxlanger said the clinic will offer complete specialty care for wound patients with a full staff at the Brewton facility.
Rainer Birk, M.D., will serve as medical director for the program. He is board certified in internal medicine, wound care and hyperbaric fellow.
Wound care is an outpatient, hospital-based program working in concert with a patient's primary care physician.
The offices will be open from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and will operate by appointment only. Referrals are required from primary care physicians for patients. 
Appointments may be made through the use of an express referral form or by calling 1-800-882-5669.  Referral form may be faxed to 1-850-994-9130,   
Dr. Birk will coordinate an overall care plan for each patient, working in partnership with the patient's referring physician. 
The center will provide comprehensive physician directed wound care to patients in the Brewton service area.  All referrals for diagnostic testing will be handled through D.W. McMillan Memorial Hospital.