Le Lézard
Subject: Conference

Orthopaedic Institute for Children's Medical Director Mauricio Silva, M.D., Speaks at Hemophilia Conference in Jordan


Mauricio Silva, M.D., medical director at Los Angeles' Orthopaedic Institute for Children, was one of a select group of trainers invited by the World Federation of Hemophilia to travel to Amman, Jordan, and participate at the Federation's Regional Musculoskeletal Workshop for the Eastern Mediterranean Region. Dr. Silva's participation in the workshop was part of an ongoing commitment by OIC and its physicians to share their unique expertise with fellow professionals worldwide.

As part of the program, Dr. Silva gave four clinical presentations to the attendees, which included 40 orthopaedic surgeons and physical therapists from throughout the region. The participants represented 15 countries encompassing Algeria, Tunisia, Palestine, Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, Qatar, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Pakistan, Bahrain, Egypt, United Arab Emirates and Sudan.

In addition to the formal presentations, Dr. Silva also visited Al-Bashir Hospital where he had the opportunity to examine patients and see firsthand the many challenges that are faced by providers around the world who care for patients with hemophilia. "Unlike in the United States, these physicians have only limited access to clotting factors, which makes their job all the more challenging and demanding," said Dr. Silva. "This was an extremely valuable experience and, in many ways, the most impactful part of my visit."

As follow-up to that visit, the head of the orthopaedic program at Al-Bashir Hospital is now on a one-month visit to the Hemophilia Treatment Center at OIC, which is an international training center for the World Federation of Hemophilia. There he is spending time not only with Dr. Silva but with the entire hemophilia team at OIC, which is renowned nationwide for their work and research in the field.

"The workshop was a great opportunity to increase awareness about hemophilia and to provide practical skills to local surgeons and physical therapists taking care of patients with hemophilia," said Dr. Silva. "We were able to discuss lessons learned from difficult cases and complications; project future needs; and, most importantly, create a road map for future development in the region."

In addition to serving as medical director at OIC, Dr. Silva is also clinical professor at the UCLA/Orthopaedic Institute for Children department of orthopaedic surgery at UCLA's David Geffen School of Medicine. An orthopaedic surgeon specializing in hemophilia disorders, children's orthopaedics and joint reconstruction, Dr. Silva sits on the musculoskeletal committee of the World Federation of Hemophilia.

About Orthopaedic Institute for Children

Orthopaedic Institute for Children was founded in 1911 as Los Angeles Orthopaedic Hospital and today is the largest pediatric orthopaedic facility on the west coast focused solely on musculoskeletal conditions in children. In alliance with UCLA Health and with the support of the OIC Foundation, we advance pediatric orthopaedics worldwide through outstanding patient care, medical education and research. Our locations in downtown Los Angeles, Santa Monica, Westwood and Calexico treat the full spectrum of pediatric orthopaedic disorders and injuries. For more information, visit us at ortho-institute.org.



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