VI. Prosthetics and Orthotics Student Symposium and Key Handover Ceremony

On April 27, 2024, Acibadem University hosted the Professional Solidarity and Key Handover Ceremony, organized by the Orthopedic Prosthetics and Orthotics Program and the Orthopedic Prosthetists and Orthotists Association (OPODER). The symposium, held in honor of Prosthetists and Orthotists Day, attracted approximately 16 universities and 450 registered participants, including instructors and prosthetic and orthotic users. The event featured booths from local and international companies, facilitating knowledge sharing and professional development through various training sessions and product exhibitions.

The symposium brought together students from various universities, industry professionals, and sponsor companies including Analiz Sistem, Bionest, Orturk, OttoBig, Ottobock, OttoWorld, Proten, and Root.Cover.

Key speakers at the symposium are as follows:

• Prosthetics and Orthotics Specialist Erkan Evrendilek, Advisor of the Orthopedic Prosthetics and Orthotics Program at Acıbadem University
• Leyla Şahin, President of OPODER
• Dr. Hakan Uysal, General Secretary of the Turkish Prosthetics and Orthotics Science Association
• Murat Günay, Founder President of Young OPODER and Middle East Technical Director at Covvi
• Emirhan Yüksel, Student at Trakya University Orthopedic Prosthetics and Orthotics Program and President of Young OPODER
• Alper Geçer, Prosthetic User and Teacher
• Laki Vasiliadis, Third-generation Manager at KIFIDIS
• Mustafa Aypolat, Veterinary and Second-year Student at Acıbadem University Prosthetics and Orthotics Program
• Gürkan Gülanber, Founder of Analiz Sistem and Veterinary
• Birce Buturak, Advisor of the Podology Program at Acıbadem University
• Fazilet Kubus, Prosthetics and Orthotics Specialist at the Istanbul Provincial Health Directorate Medical Devices and Biomedical Unit
• Dr. Hakan Uysal, Lecturer at Eskişehir Osmangazi University, Department of Medical Services and Techniques
• Özgür Aydoğan, Manager at Aktif Ortopedi
• Alp Erol Evrendilek, Founder of Root Cover
• Helin Avcı, Physiotherapist at Össur Prosthetics and Orthotics
• Lokman Sağlık, Prosthetics and Orthotics Specialist at Otto Bock
• Mehmet Can Yıldız, from Proten

The symposium covered a variety of topics including:

• Prosthetic and Orthotic User Experiences
• The Evolution of the Prosthetics and Orthotics Profession
• Gait and Posture Analysis
• 3D Insole Design and Manufacturing
• Prosthetics and Orthotics in Animals
• Podiatric Approaches to Biomechanical Foot Evaluation
• Prosthetics and Orthotics Regulations
• Ocular Prosthetics
• Scoliosis Measurement Techniques
• 3D Design and Manufacturing
• Upper Extremity Prosthetics (Practical Training)
• Lower Extremity Prosthetics, Below-Knee (Practical Training)
• Lower Extremity Prosthetics, Above-Knee (Practical Training)

Following the symposium, the Professional Solidarity and Key Handover Ceremony took place, where representatives from the Orthopedic Prosthetics and Orthotics Programs of 16 universities received symbolic key handovers. For the first time, 31 professional experts of the field were presented with specially designed 3D plaques for passing on their expertise to the next generation. The aim of the event was to uphold the tradition of handing over professional keys to graduating students, to celebrate the coming together of stakeholders, and to establish this as a recurring tradition.

The event concluded with a delightful musical performance by Sirdas Sayit, a student from the Sociology Department of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences at Acibadem University.