On July 14-16th 2008, Physicians for Peace, together with the Department of Othopedics and the Department of Rehabilitation Medicine at the University of the Philippines, Manila Health Science Campus, sponsored the first National Convention on Prostheses for Amputees. The three day conference was attended by over 180 doctors, physical therapists, prosthetists, medical students, and patients who demonstrated how working together can improve the treatment process for amputees. The event took place during National Disability Month and featured several workshops and lectures highlighting the importance of a collaborative approach in amputee therapies. Among the presenters were several medical professionals from Virginia and the Hampton Roads area, many of whom are involved in the Physicians for Peace “Walking Free” program, which has been successful in establishing better care conditions for amputees in developing countries. Gail Grisetti, Professor of Physicial Therapy at Old Dominion University, was an invited guest lecturer along with Michael Smith, Certified Prosthetist and Orthotist, owner of American Prosthetics and Orthotics in Chesapeake, VA. By pooling their expertise, they were able to conduct hands on demonstrations with live amputee patients detailing the importance of communicating as a team when caring for the amputee patient. This was the fourth trip for PFP volunteer Prosthetist and Orthotists Michael Smith, who was especially fulfilled by giving back to the Filipino countrymen, as his wife is a Filipino with family outside Manila. Dr. Grisetti has traveled to several countries with PFP and has been active in presenting our team approach to amputee care across the globe. She was especially honored to be asked to travel to the Philippines and remarked upon her return that the Filipino people were the best yet! We thank all the participants who helped make this event a great success!
