Protez Foundation and century college
Century College Prosthetics Technology Faculty member Joanna Kenton shows Ukrainian students different molds used in the creation of artificial limbs .
Students from the program observe a prosthetic fitting to determine if any adjustments need to be made .
PROTEZ FOUNDATION AND CENTURY COLLEGE
The Protez Foundation and Century College partnered to provide intensive training to 20 Ukrainian healthcare professionals in prosthetics over three weeks last summer : July 24 – August 11 . This collaboration aimed to address the overwhelming demand for qualified professionals in Ukraine ’ s healthcare system , specifically to treat individuals who have lost limbs during the war .
Taught by Century College ’ s esteemed Orthotics and Prosthetics faculty , Roger Wagner and Tony Fruci , the training occurred in the state-of-theart Century College Orthotics and Prosthetics labs . Attendees learned proven methods developed by U . S . healthcare practitioners over many years and renowned prosthetist Dr . Yakov Gradinar ’ s technical expertise gained from his 15 years of practice .
A crucial element of this initiative included the invaluable assistance of volunteer translators from the
Protez Foundation . These dedicated translators played a vital role in on-site instruction and video captioning , guaranteeing effective communication throughout the training program .
“ The current situation in Ukraine calls for urgent action , as the healthcare system struggles to meet the needs of those who have suffered limb loss during the war . By completing this intensive 3 – week training , specialists will gain the ability to create prosthetics in a significantly shorter time frame , improve patient satisfaction , and reduce rehabilitation time and follow-ups ,” shares Dr . Gradinar . “ These new skills will profoundly impact the lives of many Ukrainians , enabling them to regain mobility and independence .
The partnership between Century College and the Protez Foundation led to the establishment of the Protez Academy , an educational project aimed at equipping Ukrainian prosthetists and technicians , physical therapists , occupational therapists , and surgeons with essential skills .
“ The partnership between Century College and the Protez Foundation presents a unique opportunity to
Six Protez Academy participants take a break during their skills training .
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