It is with great sadness that we inform you that on Sunday October 18,
2009 Dr. Ignacio Ponseti died at age 95. He passed away at the
University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City, Iowa with his wife
Helena and son by his side.
Originally from Spain, he defected to Mexico after the Spanish Civil
War. From Mexico, he moved to Iowa City, Iowa to pursue his Orthopedic
residency. He began working as an orthopedist in 1944 at the University
of Iowa, following his residency. Ponseti first published literature on
his non-operative technique for the treatment of idiopathic clubfoot in
1963. However, this technique was met with much resistance in the
orthopedic community. In 1984 he retired, but due to the demand for
this treatment through the advent of the internet, he returned to the
University of Iowa in 1986 to continue his work as an Emeritus
professor. Throughout the rest of his career, he maintained a clinical
practice and trained hundreds of physicians on this technique. This
technique is now considered the “gold standard” for treatment of
idiopathic clubfoot and is practiced through out the United States and
around the world. In 2006 the American Academy of Pediatrics endorsed
the Ponseti method for clubfoot and during this year the Ponseti
International Association was also formed in an effort to continue
improving the clubfoot treatment worldwide through education, research,
collaboration, and improved access to care. Plans for memorial services
are still being made, but will likely be in Iowa City in December 2009.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Ponseti International
Association through the UI Foundation website
(https://www.uifoundation.org/GiveToIowa/WebObjects/GiveToIowa.woa/wa/go
To?area=ponseti).
Sincerely,
American Academy of Orthotists and Prosthetists
Manisha S. Bhaskar
American Academy of Orthotists and Prosthetists
Director of Marketing & Publications
1331 H Street, NW, Suite 501
Washington, DC 20005
(202) 380-3663, ext. 210
FAX (202) 380-3447
www.oandp.org
NEW MEETING DATES!
36th Academy Annual Meeting
& Scientific Symposium
FEBRUARY 24-27, 2010
Hyatt Regency Chicago
www.academyannualmeeting.org
