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ABC Travelling Fellows 2008 Diary Twelfth stop: Iowa City 28 May to 31 May Wednesday 28th May A pretty relaxed group hit the airport queues, and a short flight later we were unloading in Cedar Rapids airport. Paul Etre, department Business Manager, met us and organised transfer to the Sheraton Hotel. After an exploratory walk and group lunch, bags were unpacked. The remainder of the afternoon was spent in establishing communications, managing personal admin and getting in some exercise in the gym or on the running track. Paul Etre gathered the Fellows at 6.20 pm to walk to the Takanami Japanese Restaurant. An excellent meal was enjoyed, in company of Dr Weinstein (ABC 1985), Dr Smucker and his wife Teresa, Dr Cooper (ABC 1969), and Dr Marsh. Conversation our dinner was lively and stimulating, before heading back to the hotel for a nightcap. Thursday 29th May It seems that the 0615 start was a little early, as the sports conference did not start until 0700, but the fellows were present and ready to hear Dr Amendola talk on the role of allograft cartilage transplantation and realignment in sports surgery. The rest of the morning was spent in clinical sessions: Alasdair Sutherland in sports clinic with Dr Albright; Dominic Meek in arthroplasty clinic with Dr Noiseux; Richard Williams in the spinal biomechanics laboratory, Andrew Barrow with Dr Adams in OR (shoulder surgery); Peter Poon in OR with Dr Nepola (shoulder surgery); Kevin Mulhall and Rob Pollock in OR with Dr Marsh (fracture non-union). At the end of the morning the Fellows were honoured to meet Dr Ponsetti and have lunch with him. At 94, he is partially retired but remains clinically very active, and certainly very interesting to talk with.
The fellows with Dr Ponsetti
Dr Ponsetti: hands of a legend The afternoon continued the clinical attachments of the morning, before all re-convened for the scientific session at 4pm. Dr Buckwalter (ABC 1987), department chair, outlined the history of orthopaedics in Iowa City, and Dr Smucker described some aspects of spinal research being undertaken. Talks by Richard Williams (spinal research) and Rob Pollock (cartilage transplantation MACI) fitted in well with local interests, as did Peter Poon’s talk on the reverse shoulder prosthesis, and the afternoon was closed by a talk from Dr Clark (ABC 1989) on dysphagia after anterior cervical fusion, stressing the potential dangers of self-retaining retractors. For the evening, the Fellows made the short trip from the hospital to the Athletic Club for an excellent dinner of Iowa steak, which had been given a lot of build-up as the best in the USA, and did not disappoint. A lovely evening. Finished off by perfect drinks service from Sarah in the hotel bar. Friday 30th May Trauma conference kicked off just after 0630, led by Dr Marsh. Discussion ranged across acute treatment of hip fractures, management of acetabular fractures, management of non-unions. From there we were taken to Dr Ponsetti’s clinic, where he discussed and then demonstrated his philosophy of manipulation and cast management of club feet. He makes it all look so simple. Next stop was a tour of the biomechanics labs, and after lunch a tour of the cell biology labs, before moving to the University Art Gallery, were an exhibition of pictures owned by Dr Ponsetti was being organised for his 94th Birthday party at the weekend. After a wash and brush up, it was back to the hospital for further presentations – Alasdair Sutherland talking in-between talks from Dr Weinstein (bracing in scoliosis) and Dr Buckwalter (biology of chondrosarcoma).
At least they are still awake
The fellows with the University of Iowa faculty The other Fellows took 40 winks where they could be found, and then all saddled up for the drive into the country for dinner at the Ronneburg restaurant, in a community rather like the Pennsylvania Amish (but without the beards and horses), with Drs Ponsettii, Weinstein, Buckwalter (and Mrs Ponseti and Mrs Buckwalter).
Peter Poon in Iowa City A very full group made it back to the hotel to pack and prepare for yet another early start (0600), while outside a street party was progressing. Strange. At the airport it was double secret security for all of the group, followed by a very delayed departure due to problems with the plane. The connection in Minneapolis was tight, but incredibly the Fellows and all their luggage made it to Memphis. Last step on the way to Quebec. |
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