March 6, 2009

Broadlawns Podiatrists Share Amputation Prevention Techniques with Surgeons from India

Des Moines, March 6, 2009 - Podiatric surgeons at the Amputation Prevention Center at Broadlawns Medical Center recently welcomed two surgeons from India to visit Broadlawns.  Dr. Ajit Kumar Varma from Cochin, India and Dr. Rajesh Kesavan from Chennai, India came to Des Moines to study new techniques to prevent amputations in those with diabetes in India.

Varma and Kesavan each spent a week at Broadlawns Medical Center observing methods used to heal foot ulcers and reconstruct feet destroyed by diabetes.  More than 40 million people in India are estimated to have diabetes - the most people with diabetes in any one country.

"While typical health care in India is very modern, few specialists concentrate in preventing limb losses," explained Lee C. Rogers, DPM, director of the Amputation Prevention Center at Broadlawns.

"We were happy to welcome these gracious surgeons to our center," said Rogers.  "It is rewarding to know that our research and success in preventing amputations is making an impact internationally.  We certainly hope we can have an influence on their methods of practice in India."

Rogers was honored last year as a "Global Educator of Distinction" when presenting research at the Diabetic Foot Global Conference in Hollywood, CA.  Rogers and Nicholas Bevilacqua, DPM, also at Broadlawns' Amputation Prevention Center, will present new research at this year's conference on healing diabetic foot ulcers using skin cells taken from donated baby foreskins.

About Broadlawns

With a history as a community health center dating back to 1903, Broadlawns Medical Center first opened its doors as a hospital to the residents of Polk County on April 13, 1924.  Over the years, Broadlawns has adapted to the changing demands of public health care and remained true to its mission of offering quality health services to all Polk County residents and training tomorrow’s health care professionals.  Today, Broadlawns Medical Center is composed of: 

• An acute care community hospital serving medical, surgical, mental health and primary care needs.
• A 60-member physician practice overseeing numerous specialty clinics and outpatient services.
• Advanced medical clinics in foot and ankle surgery and amputation prevention.
• A family medicine residency program that graduates physician leaders who serve communities across Iowa and the country.  

 

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