Kara Turner

Ms. Kara Turner


Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

2Years (2025-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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9 July 2026 in Diabetology
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
KTKara Turner
Kara Turner
DLDenise A. Levy
Denise A. Levy
JAJairo L Arce-Morales
Jairo L Arce-Morales
MKManasa Kanneganti
Manasa Kanneganti
JDJohanna Daily
Johanna Daily
AMAlyson K Myers
Alyson K Myers
Introduction: Diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) are a debilitating complication of diabetes, and management by multidisciplinary foot teams has been shown to reduce serious sequelae, such as amputations. There are stark racial and ethnic disparities in morbidity and mortality from DFUs, and multidisciplinary care has been shown to reduce lower extremity amputations, length of hospital stays and readmissions. This is a review of the impact of multidisciplinary care on DFUs, particularly regarding social determinants of health, with an illustrative case. Case Presentation: This is a case of a 32-year-old African American male with Type 1 Diabetes, a history of poor glycemic control, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, tobacco and marijuana use disorder, and multiple social and structural barriers to care. He presented with bilateral Wagner grade 3 DFUs with osteomyelitis to the emergency department, requiring hospitalization. Upon discharge, he was referred to a multidisciplinary diabetes clinic and received coordinated support from endocrinology, podiatry, vascular surgery, infectious disease, pedorthics, and behavioral health. Comprehensive evaluation, intensive wound care with adjuvant hyperbaric oxygen therapy, offloading, blood glucose management and medical source control of infection were established for his treatment plan. At the three-month follow-up, the patient’s wound beds had significantly improved, and his Hemoglobin A1c declined from 12.6% to 9.3%. The right plantar wound completely epithelialized, and the left foot wound showed 90% contracture. Review and Discussion: This case highlights the importance of integrated, multidisciplinary care for DFUs, particularly in addressing both the clinical and social drivers of complications from diabetes.

1 November 2025
Verified
Book Chapter
Closed access
PDF file
KTKara Turner
Kara Turner
AHAbdulaziz Hamid
Abdulaziz Hamid
RHRichard H. Huggins
Richard H. Huggins
NENada Elbuluk
Nada Elbuluk