A method of preparing a crosslinked, collagen-based wound care dressing is provided, comprising: (a) immersing a sample of fibrous and/or non-fibrous collagen in a buffered acidic, aqueous solution comprising an alcohol; (b) contacting the collagen in solution with a catalytic component comprising 1-ethyl-3-[3-dimethylaminopropyl]carbodiimide hydrochloride for a time at least sufficient to effect reaction between amino and carboxyl groups present on the collagen and to yield crosslinked collagen that is resistant to pronase degradation; and (c) drying the crosslinked collagen to yield a porous, crosslinked collagen article wherein the porous, crosslinked collagen article demonstrates a pore size of 10-500 microns. Also provided are bioactive collagen medical scaffolds for hernia repair prosthetics and surgical incision closure members, prepared using the method above.