For A.M. Release Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2001
Charles Hamlin, MD, receives Humanitarian Award from AAOS
SAN FRANCISCO--In the United States, access to quality medical care is often taken for granted. That's why Denver orthopaedic surgeon Charles Hamlin, MD, was concerned when he made a trip to the Navajo reservation in Chinle, Az., and discovered that the residents were unable to get treatment for hand injuries.
"In 1993, while working with the Craig Rehabilitation Hospital on spinal cord injury patients at the Navajo reservation in Chinle, Dr. Hamlin learned that common hand surgery was not available for the residents unless they drove long distances to either Phoenix or Albuquerque," said colleague Peter R. Carter, MD. "Follow-up care for these injuries was completely unavailable nearby, which resulted in poor outcomes."
Orthopaedic surgeons, by using their skills, resources and energies, make a positive impact on the lives of many people. It has long been a tradition among members of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) to reach out to people who do not have the opportunity to receive high quality health care and provide that care on a volunteer basis.
To acknowledge a major example of that tradition, 2000 AAOS president S. Terry Canale, MD, presented Charles Hamlin, MD, with this year's Humanitarian Award, during opening ceremonies of the Academy's 68th annual meeting. In recognition of Dr. Hamlin's commitment to surgical care to the Navajo Indians in Chinle, Az., AAOS will donate $5,000 to Dr. Hamlin's favorite humanitarian project.
"In this impoverished region, many of the residents are farmers and ranchers," Dr. Hamlin said. "Hand injuries are common and can be devastating if left untreated."
Concerned about this lack of care, he inquired about setting up a clinic but was told that there were no funds for such an undertaking.
Undeterred, Dr. Hamlin arranged to meet with Peterson Zah, who was chief of the Navajo Nation at that time. Zah was won over by Dr. Hamlin's commitment to the project.
Dr. Hamlin secured staff privileges for volunteer orthopaedic surgeons at the United States Public Health Service Hospital in Chinle and arranged for OR (operating room) and clinical nurses. He also saw to it that instruments were donated to the clinic and that physical therapists are available for postoperative care. Many of the surgeons who volunteer also make scientific presentations to area health care providers on the topic of emergency care of hand injuries.
The clinic operates on a monthly basis and now covers all routine hand surgery, including tendon and nerve repair, bone and joint reconstruction, tendon transfers and skin grafting. Complex cases are evaluated and sent to the University of New Mexico Hospital in Albuquerque, N.M.
The 25,500-member American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (www.aaos.org) or (http://orthoinfo.aaos.org), is a not-for-profit organization that provides education programs for orthopaedic surgeons, allied health professionals and the public.
An advocate for improved patient care, the Academy is participating in the Bone and Joint Decade (www.bonejointdecade.org), the global initiative in the years 2000-2010 to raise awareness of musculoskeletal health, stimulate research and improve people's quality of life. The Academy's annual meeting is being held February 28-March 4, 2001, at the Moscone Convention Center, San Francisco.
# # #For more information, contactJoanne Swanson (847) 384-4035, [email protected] Todd Schuetz(847) 384-4032, [email protected]A.J. Wright(847) 384-4034, [email protected]
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