From the Winner’s Circle: How Amnion Is Changing Wound Care LIVE at Magnet & Pathway 2026

Recorded live at the 2026 ANCC Magnet & Pathway Conference in Chicago.

Some of the most powerful innovations in healthcare start with one nurse noticing what’s possible. In this episode we hear from Nely Amaral, RN, BScN, and Anna Kha, CNS, of Mount Sinai Hospital in Toronto, the team behind this year’s Magnet Prize-winning program, Mothers Healing Others.

Nely walks us through how the program works, using amniotic membrane donated by mothers having planned C-sections and processed through Mount Sinai’s own tissue and bone bank. We talk about why amnion is such a powerful tissue, with anti-inflammatory and anti-scarring properties and possible pain relief, and how it’s helping patients with some of the hardest head-and-neck surgical wounds.

What started as a five-patient trial became a permanent treatment option once the team brought outcomes and before-and-after photos to hospital leadership. We also cover safety, from processing that removes DNA and blood (so no cross-matching is needed) to how the team educates patients and pauses treatment if infection is suspected. Then Nely and Anna share how they plan to use the $125,000 Magnet Prize, including a retrospective review of 140 patients, program expansion, education, and keeping the donated-tissue supply going.

We close with Anna’s wound care philosophy: look at the whole person, not just the wound, and lean on every discipline to get patients back to the life they want.

If you’re a nurse, a nurse leader, or anyone who believes bedside ideas can change care, this one’s for you.

Timestamps

00:00 Meet the Toronto Magnet Prize-winning team

01:07 How a wound-care mentor sparked the amnion idea

03:14 Early healing results in difficult head-and-neck wounds

06:22 Building a nurse-led program across specialties

08:26 From five-patient trial to permanent therapy

11:14 Processing, cross-matching, and infection precautions

13:53 How the $125,000 prize could grow the program

15:45 Why planned C-section donations are used

17:28 Assessing the whole patient, not just the wound

19:57 Recognition for interdisciplinary nursing innovation

Key takeaways

Great nursing ideas often start with a mentor who shows you what’s possible.

Amniotic membrane is a powerful tissue that may reduce inflammation, scarring, and pain.

A small pilot with strong outcomes and clear before-and-after images can turn into a permanent program.

Donated tissue only works if the supply is sustained, so education and donor engagement matter.

Wound care is an art and a science. Assess the person, their history, and why the wound developed.

Interdisciplinary collaboration is what makes nurse-led innovation stick.

About Nely Amaral and Anna Kha

Nely Amaral, RN, BScN, is the Magnet Program Director at Sinai Health, and Anna Kha, CNS, is a clinical nurse specialist in wound care at Mount Sinai Hospital in Toronto. Together they lead Mothers Healing Others, the 2026 Magnet Prize-winning program using donated amniotic membrane as a wound care therapy.

Connect with Nely and Anna

Nely Amaral, RN, BScN, on LinkedIn: [link]

Sinai Health: sinaihealth.ca

Resources mentioned

Mothers Healing Others, Mount Sinai Hospital Toronto
Mount Sinai Hospital Tissue and Bone Bank
ANCC Magnet Prize
ANCC Magnet & Pathway Conference: magnetpathwaycon.nursingworld.org

About your host

Rosa Hart, BSN, RN, SCRN, FLAA, is a nurse, speaker, podcaster, and author of Speak Up, Start Now, available on Audible and Kindle.

Follow along @NurseRosaSpeaks.

Did you know a mother’s gift at birth could help heal someone else’s wound? Tell us in the comments, and share this episode with a wound care nurse who’d love this story.