Dr. Des Soares, PIOA Director of Training, met with the Honorable Prime Minister Tuila'epa Sa'ilele Malielegaoi of Samoa on 13 June 2017,
to discuss the PIOA training program. The Prime Minister was very interested in our model of training doctors in orthopaedics,
using a module approach that minimised the time away from their hospitals and home countries.
The Infection, Inflammation and Professional topics module was held at the TTM Hospital, Apia, Samoa from 4 June to 16 June 2017.
The Introductory module was held at the Lautoka Hospital, Fiji from 30 January to 8 February 2017.
We welcomed 7 new trainees (Raymond Saulep, Thomas Kiele, Alois Mouemuem, Henao Asa from PNG, Alfredo Adams from Samoa, Pita Sovanivalu from Fiji and Johnny Hedson from FSM). PIOA now has 18 trainees in 8 countries. You can read a report on the module here.
From L to R: Front row: Stephen Kodovaru (Solomon Islands), Des Soares (Australia), Roy Craig (New Zealand), David Bartle (New Zealand), Tim Gregg (New Zealand), Mark Rokobuli (Fiji)
Back row: Raymond Saulep (PNG), Pita Sovanivalu (Fiji), Thomas Kiele (PNG), Naseri Aitaoto (Am. Samoa), Alfredo Adams (Samoa), Henao Asa (PNG), Alois Mouemuem (PNG), Johnny Hedson (Federated states of Micronesia).
PIOA has signed a partnership agreement with the AO Alliance Foundation, which is the premier orthopaedic education foundation worldwide. This was only possible because of the tireless efforts of Dr. Herman Oberli, founding member of PIOA and a strong advocate for the improvement of the management of trauma in the Pacific Islands. We also wish to thank our generous sponsor, Hans Joerg Wyss, for his partnership in our work. This agreement means that PIOA has stable funding for the next 5 years and can continue to train orthopaedic surgeons from Pacific Island countries. PIOA is now the accepted leader for orthopaedic training in the Pacific Island countries.
From L to R: Suthorn Bavonratanavech, AO Foundation representative;
Joachim Prein(Vice-Chair),
Rolf Jeker(Chair), Jaime Quintero, Board Member. Standing: DR. Hermann Oberli
PIOA training Director held discussion with the National University of Samoa. The Dean of the Medical School Lemamea Dr. Limbo Fiu and Lecturer Dr. Dyxon Hansell are progressing discussions. It is hoped the National University of Samoa will accredit the PIOA training program as a Master of Surgery (Orthopaedics).
PIOA training Director signed a training agreement with Leituala Dr. Ben Matalavea, covering Dr Shaun Mauiliu and Dr Areta Samuelu and any future trainees from TTM Hospital. This agreement is valid for a period of 5 years.
The "Foot and ankle" module was held at the TTM Hospital, Apia, Samoa, from 12 to 19 September 2016. This module covered history taking, clinical examination, and management of foot and ankle conditions. You can read a report on the module here.
From L to R Front row - Mark Rokobuli (Fiji),Felix Diaku (PNG), Areta Samuelu(Samoa),Stephen Kodvaru(Solomon Is), Kabiri Itaka (Kiribati),
Back row - George Kabwere(Solomon Is), Shaun Mauiliu(Samoa), Naseri Aitaoto(American Samoa), Alex Munamua(Solomon Is.)James Tewa'ani(Solomon Is.).
The course dinner: Special thanks to lecturers: Dr. Angus Moxon, Drr Nick Shortt, DR. Matt Hope, Dr. Hermann Oberli and Dr. Des Soares. At the dinner we were joined by Adele Mauiliu, Enid Samuelu, Elizabeth Oberli and Dr Magele (previous Minister of Education in Samoa- not in the photo
The "Orthopaedic Spine" module was held at the National Referral Hospital, Honiara, Solomon Islands, from 30 May 2016 to 8 June2016. This module covered history taking, clinical examination, and management of orthoapedic spinal conditions. In addition training on a Pacific Trauma database and a workshop on Infectious disease was held.You can read a report on the module here.
From L to R Front row - Ian Cheung (Australia), Des Soares(Australia), Martin Walliser(Switzerand), Phillip Stillhard(Switzerland)
Middle row - Mark Rokobuli (Fiji), Kabiri Itaka (Kiribati), Felix Diaku (PNG), Areta Samuelu(Samoa), George Kabwere(Solomon Is)
Back row - Naseri Aitaoto(American Samoa), Stephen Kodvaru(Solomon Is, James Tewa'ani(Solomon islands)
Alex Munamua(Solomon islands), Shaun Mauiliu(Samoa)
The "Orthopaedic Trauma" module was held at the National Referral Hospital, Honiara, Solomon Islands, from 1 February to 10 February 2016. This module covered history taking, clinical examination, and management of trauma. You can read a report on the module here.
From L to R
Dr. Vauhgan Poutawera(New Zealand), Areta Samuelu(Samoa), Felix Diaku(PNG)
From L to R
Front row - Jochen Ruckstuhl, Des Soares, Vaughan Poutawera, Gerold Lusser, Matthew Hope
Middle row - Basil Leodoro, James Tewa'ani, Felix Diaku, George Kabwere, Kabiri Itaka
Back row - Mark Rokobuli, Areta Samuelu, Alex Munamua, Naseri Aiotato, Stephen Kodovaru, Shaun Mauiliu
PIOA trainees Kabiri Itaka (Kiribati) and Areta Samuelu (Samoa) presented scientific papers at the Australian Orthopaedic Association Annual Scientific Meeting in Brisbane on 13 October 2015. Dr. Patrick Houasia, President PIOA presented on the first three years of the PIOA training program and Dr Des Soares, Director of Training for PIOA presented on preparation of a orthopaedic disaster plan for the Pacific Islands. .
From L to R Des Soares, Areta Samuelu (Samoa), Kabiri Itaka (Kiribati) and Patrick Houasia
The "Upper limb" module was held at the National Referral Hospital, Honiara, Solomon Islands, from 30 September to 7 October 2015. This module covered history taking, clinical examination, and management of elective and traumatic conditions affecting the upper limb including shoulder, elbow, wrist and hand. Click here to read a report of the Upper limb module.
Back row L to R - Paul Hitchen, Stephen Quain, Des Soares
Front row L to R - Kabiri itaka, Mark Rokobuli, Stephen Kodovaru, James Tewa'ani, Areta Samuelu
Stephen Kodovaru and Mark Rokobuli doing a sawbones exercise for an adult T intercondylar fracture.
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PIOA will be well represented at the Australian Orthopaedic Association Annual Scientific Meeting
to be held in Brisbane from 11 -15 October 2015. We will bring you some phot updates after the meeting.
PIOA promoted in the Solomon Star Newspaper in Honiara
From L to R: Kabiri Itaka (Kiribati), James Tewa'ani (Solomon Islands), Areta Samuelu (Samoa), Mark Rokobuli (Fiji)
Stephen Kodovaru (Solomon Islands) and Shaun Mauiliu (Samoa) with their sawbones ACL reconstruction.
PIOA students with Dr Patrick Houasia, President PIOA and Director Orthopaedics (Solomon Islands)
VANUATU CYCLONE RELIEF
Dr. Basil Leodoro from Vanuatu has been the Medevac coordinator at Vila Central Hospital. Basil attended his first PIOA module in February. He requested additional assistance in the form of personnel and ex-fix equipment.
PIOA has been able to assist the staff at the Vila Central Hospital by sending Dr Stephen Kodovaru and operating theatre RN Mary Maneporaa from Solomon Islands. They stayed in Vila for 10 days to help with dealing with trauma following the cylcone.
Please click here to read a report by Dr Kodovaru.
In addition Dr. Mark Rokobuli, one of our trainees from Fiji has been deployed with the Royal Fiji Military to assist in Vila.
PIOA was also able to coordinate and deliver ex-fix equipment donated by Stryker Orthopaedics, and Dot Dash (Smith & Nephew Orthopaedics) and some battery drills donated by Greenslopes Hospital.
Dr. Basil Leodoro reviewing a child who suffered burns while trying to help his family get rid of cyclone debris.
Dr. Trevor Culwick receiving ex-fix gear carried by PIOA (donated by Dot Dash, Stryker and Greenslopes Hospital)
Dr. Basil Leodoro co-ordinating Medevac flights for injured patients on the outer islands
Cyclone Pam affected people in Port Vila queuing for food rations
INTRODUCTORY MODULE - FEBRUARY 2015
Back row (L to R ) James Tewa'ani, ALex Munamua, Basil Leodoro, Kabiri Itaka, Areta Samuelu, George Kabwere, Mark Rokobuli, Stephen Kodovaru
Front row (L to R) Hermann Oberli, Christian Gubler, Patrick Houasia, Gerold, Lusser, Matthew Hope, Des Soares
PIOA trainers and trainees were pleased to meet with the Deputy Prime Minister of the Solomons Islands Government. The Deputy Prime Minister thanked PIOA for the training programme and was impressed with the training being offered to doctors from many of the Pacific Island countries based at the National Referral Hospital in Honiara.
PIOA trainees Stephen Kodovaru (Solomon Islands) and Shaun Mauiliu (Samoa) presented scientific papers at the Australian Orthopaedic Association Annual Scientific Meeting in Melbourne on 14 October 2014. Dr Des Soares, Director of Training for PIOA also presented a report on behalf of Dr. Patrick Houasia on the first two years of the PIOA training program.
From L to R (Stephen Kodovaru, Des Soares and Shaun Mauiliu) at the AOA ASM in Melbourne, 14 October 2014
Trainees From L to R : George Kabwere (Solomon Is), Kabiri Tun Itaka(Kiribati), Stephen Kodovaru(Solomon Is), Alex Munamua(Solomon Is) and Shaun Mauiliu (Samoa)
Staff and students at Module 6. From L to R: Kabiri Itaka, David Ardern (NZ), Shaun Mauiliu, Pauli Hitchen (Aust), Eka Wiratnaya (Indonesia), George Kabwere, Vaughan Poutawera (NZ), Alex Munamua, Stephen Kodovaru, Des Soares (Aust), Patrick Houasia (Solomon Is)
Back row: L to R Stephen Kodovaru, Alex Munamua, Kabiri Itaka, George Kabwere
Front row: L to R Peter Cundy, Maxime Cote, Kate Stannage, Nicole Williams, Des Soares
Dr. Peter Cundy (Adelaide) with trainees Kabiri Itaka (Kiribati) and Alex Munamua (Solomon Islands)
PIOA welcomes our newest trainee, Dr. Kabiri Itaka from Kiribati.
Dr Itaka is one of only two surgeons in his nation serving a population of approximately 100,000 people. To date any orthopaedic trauma in Kiribati is held over for formal management by a visiting team from Brisbane that comes only once a year. Dr. Itaka will now be able to take a much more active role in managing his injured.patients.
PIOA trainees from L to R: Shaun Mauiliu, Stephen Kodovaru, George Kabwere, Alex Munamua.
Practicing applying an external fixator to a fractured pelvis (synthetic bones)
Plaster technician Philip is in the background.
PIOA trainees Stephen Kodovaru and Alex Munamua presented scientific papers at the Australian Orthopaedic Association Annual Scientific Meeting in Darwin on 9 October 2013. Dr Patrick Houasia also presented a report on the first two modules and the positive effect the PIOA training program was having not just on the orthopaedic department but also on the rest of the hospital.
Stephen Kodavaru, Alex Munamua and John North at the AOA ASM in Darwin.
PIOA reaches agreement with The International College of Surgeons on accreditation for PIOA graduates. (.....read more)
PIOA signs training agreement with Ministry of Health and Medical Services, Solomon Islands Government (.....read more) November 2012
Asia Pacific Orthopaedic Association (APOA) welcomes PIOA members (...... read more )
