Parkview wound care nurse practitioner receives international award for use of fish skin grafts

KENDALLVILLE, Ind. – Feb. 24, 2025 – Janalynn Miller, a nurse practitioner with Parkview Physicians Group – Wound Care, has been named a 2025 Aurora Award winner by Iceland-based firm Kerecis.

Kerecis is a biotechnology firm specializing in fish skin grafts in wound care. These grafts are made of North Atlantic Cod skin, which is structurally similar to human skin and serves as an effective foundation to promote regenerative cell growth. Because there is no virus transmissibility between fish and humans, fish skin grafts require minimal processing unlike those made from human or pig tissue.

Miller was selected as one of the 2025 honorees after submitting a case study on an immunocompromised patient with a surgical chest wound exposing his lung and rib bone. Miller began treatment at the Center for Wound Healing at Parkview Noble Hospital with the Kerecis MariGen Micro, and during a period of six applications between Oct. 2 and Nov. 20, the wound improved and decreased by 50%.

“(The patient) is a perfect example of the amazing results with the use of Kerecis in a patient who has all the odds against him,” Miller wrote in her case study conclusion. She also credited the entire wound care team at Parkview Noble Hospital for the excellent support and high-quality care they provide for their patients.

This year, 85 cases were submitted to the Aurora Awards Competition and judged by an expert panel of clinicians. Three grand prize winners were selected. Additional cases were advanced to be reviewed by a panel of surgeons. A select few, including Miller’s, were awarded the Aurora Case Award.

As one of the honorees, Miller was invited to present at the Northern Lights Workshop in Reykjavik, Iceland, Feb. 6-8.

Parkview operates wound care clinics at Parkview Hospital Randallia, Parkview Noble Hospital, Parkview Huntington Hospital and Parkview Bryan Hospital. Wound care providers help patients recover from numerous kinds of acute and chronic wounds, including burns, diabetic wounds, pressure injuries and surgical wounds.

“Effective wound care is extremely important for patients who are recovering from surgeries or managing chronic conditions to avoid secondary infections and other complications,” said Dr. Jim Edlund, medical director of Parkview Physicians Group – Wound Care. “From the beginning, Janalynn has pushed innovative treatments, like Kerecis fish skin, which provide new and exciting options to promote healing and advance care for our patients. We join the Kerecis company in congratulating Janalynn. She is an invaluable asset to our wound care team.”