Matthew Meehan, FNP-C

Meet Matthew Meehan, FNP-C

Wound Care Nurse Practitioner Helping Chronic Wounds Heal at CHRISTUS Health in Santa Fe

Matt Meehan is a board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner providing wound care at CHRISTUS Health in Santa Fe, New Mexico. He earned his graduate degree from New Mexico Highlands University, holds national certification through the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners, and practices at the CHRISTUS St. Vincent Regional Wound & Hyperbaric Center which is a specialized outpatient clinic focused entirely on treating chronic, non-healing wounds. Matt works as part of a multidisciplinary wound care team that includes physicians, podiatrists, and nurses, delivering individualized treatment plans designed to help patients close difficult wounds and return to their daily lives.

Career at a Glance

• Board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP-C) through the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners
• Graduate of New Mexico Highlands University graduated with honors
• Practices at a UHMS-accredited wound care center: the first center in New Mexico to earn national accreditation from the Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society
• New Mexico–licensed Registered Nurse and Nurse Practitioner

Clinical Role

Matt evaluates wounds, develops individualized treatment plans, performs or assists with wound care procedures such as debridement (removing damaged tissue to promote healing), applies specialized dressings, and monitors progress over time. He works alongside a team that includes physicians and podiatrists, coordinating care with each patient's primary doctor to ensure continuity.

He provides care for conditions such as:

• Diabetic foot ulcers: wounds related to diabetes that are slow to heal due to poor circulation and nerve damage
• Venous leg ulcers: chronic wounds on the lower legs caused by insufficient blood flow back to the heart
• Pressure injuries: wounds caused by prolonged pressure on the skin, often in patients with limited mobility
• Surgical wounds: post-operative wounds that have not healed as expected
• Traumatic wounds: injuries that are complicated by infection, poor circulation, or other underlying conditions
• Wounds requiring hyperbaric oxygen therapy: chronic wounds that benefit from pressurized oxygen treatment to promote tissue healing
• Osteomyelitis-related wounds: wounds associated with bone infection that require specialized management

What You Can Expect from Care with Matt Meehan

Wound healing takes time, often weeks or months of regular visits, careful monitoring, and gradual progress. That makes the relationship between you and your wound care provider especially important. Matt is a provider who listens carefully, spends time with each patient, and treats people with courtesy and respect. Wound care patients often describe the experience of "ringing the bell" when their treatment is complete, a moment that reflects a care team that tracks your progress and celebrates it with you.

You can expect:

• A thorough evaluation of your wound: including an assessment of the underlying conditions that may be preventing healing
• An individualized treatment plan that may include specialized dressings, debridement, medication, and hyperbaric oxygen therapy
• Regular follow-up visits to monitor your wound's progress and adjust your care plan as needed
• Clear communication with your referring physician so your overall care remains coordinated
• A provider who takes the time to listen, explain your treatment, and answer your questions at each visit

Wound Care and Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy

The CHRISTUS St. Vincent Regional Wound & Hyperbaric Center uses a coordinated approach to treating chronic wounds combining clinical wound care techniques (debridement, specialized dressings, infection management) with hyperbaric oxygen therapy when indicated. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is an adjunctive therapy in which the patient breathes 100 percent oxygen while enclosed in a pressurized chamber at greater-than-normal atmospheric pressure. This increases the amount of oxygen delivered to damaged tissues, which can help stimulate new blood vessel growth, fight infection, and accelerate healing. Treatments typically last 90–120 minutes and are administered 1–2 times daily, 5–6 days a week. The number of sessions depends on the type and severity of the wound, some conditions may require as many as 20–40 treatments. The center coordinates all hyperbaric therapy with each patient's referring physician to ensure continuity of care.