Celebration of the Life of
Ignacio V. Ponseti, M.D.
December 6, 2009

On Sunday December 6, 2009 there will be a celebration of the life, legacy and accomplishments of Ignacio Ponseti, M.D. at the Coralville Marriott from 3 to 5 PM.  Those wishing to express their sentiments about Dr. Ponseti and his impact on their lives or wishing to make a memorial contribution can do so here.

Condolences                             Contributions

Dr. Ponseti’ s legacy will continue to live on through the Ponseti Laboratory, dedicated to investigating the cause of orthopaedic diseases, and the Ponseti International Association, dedicated to improve the treatment of children born with clubfoot with a global collaborative initiative through education, clinical research, improved access to care and the eradication of neglected clubfoot.

Beloved orthopaedic surgeon, Dr. Ponseti, passed away

Ignacio V. Ponseti MD passed away on October 18, 2009, with his wife Helena and his son at his bedside. Dr. Ponseti contributed so much to Orthopaedics and to improving the lives of patients around the world. He will be dearly missed by his colleagues and his patients. Those of us at the Ponseti International Association (PIA) will ensure that his work and his legacy continue.

Ignacio Ponseti, MD, whose pioneering, non-surgical, treatment has benefited hundreds of thousands of children worldwide, died Sunday at age 95 following a sudden illness. Memorial services are still being planned.

Dr. Ponseti joined the orthopedics faculty at The University of Iowa in 1944 following his residency—remaining here the next four decades treating patients, teaching, and conducting research. He retired as professor emeritus in 1984, but returned in 1986 to a consultative practice in orthopedics

In the course of his career he developed the Ponseti method for treating clubfoot, involving the careful manipulation of muscles, joints and ligaments held in a series of casts and braces to reposition the foot back to normal. It became the "gold standard" for clubfoot treatment, after decades of positive follow-up results and numerous international peer-reviewed studies showing success rates as high as 98 percent. 

Over the past decade, through educational and advocacy efforts, the Ponseti method has become the mainstream treatment for clubfoot in North America and is increasingly used to help children with clubfoot from underdeveloped regions of the world. In August 2006, the American Academy of Pediatrics endorsed the Ponseti method.

Let us follow his example and honor him by continuing to do excellent work every day in promoting the Ponseti method.

Memorial contributions may be made to Ponseti International Association through the UI Foundation PIA Contribution Page available here.

Condolences notes can be written on this page

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2009 Ponseti Races Event
(5k Walk/Run + Kids Races)

The Annual Ponseti Races held October 2009 can be seen in the video below:


***RACE RESULTS AVAILABLE HERE***

WHEN:
October 16, 2009 at 4.30PM
*4.00PM - Distribution of the T-shirts and goodie bags for registered participants
*4.30PM - Adult race/walk start
*5.30PM - Kids race start

WHO:
Patients and their families, students, Dr. Ignacio Ponseti, colleagues, supporters, UI leaders, celebrities, members of the UI gymnastics team, UI volleyball team, UI cheerleading squad, UI marching band and many more.

WHERE:
Iowa City, University of Iowa (UI) campus

WHY:
To raise awareness about clubfoot and the role UI has in the treatment of clubfoot worldwide
To race and fundraise so kids with clubfoot can walk, run, and go to school
To honor Dr Ignacio Ponseti, UI professor emeritus of orthopaedics, developer of the "Ponseti method"

HOW CAN I GET INVOLVED?
Select from the options available on the REGISTRATION PAGE
Spread the word and become a champion for the cause. For the Facebook fans - here is the EVENT PAGE
Contact us and tell us your ideas on how we can make this an awesome event

WHAT ELSE DO YOU WANT ME TO KNOW?
This event is organized at the same time with the Annual Ponseti Training at UI where medical care providers (physicians, nurses, physical therapists) from US and around the world are trained in how to correctly apply the Ponseti method. The training is organized by the Ponseti International Association.

Letter from Dr Ponseti and a video of the recognition he received from the Children's Miracle Network.

September 8, 2009

Dear friends:

As you know, the annual Ponseti Symposium will be held on Friday October 16, 2009.   We will hold the annual Races at the University of Iowa Recreation Center at 4:30 PM.  We are delighted that this year for the first time we will be joined by the UI students and members of the community in a 5K race that will take place in conjunction with the Kids race.  The 5K race for adults will start at 4:30 PM from the UI Recreation Center and end up joining the Children Race at 5:30 pm at the Recreation Center.

I am looking forward to greeting the children and their parents, as well as the race participants on Friday evening at the UI Recreation Center.  I have seen the Ponseti races shirts and bracelets and you will be getting one when you sign up for the races.

You may access the registration form for the Ponseti races at the following website: www.ponseti.info/races

I will be delighted to see you on Friday October 16, 2009 at the UI Recreation Center.

Sincerely,

Ignacio V. Ponseti, M.D.