The hand gesturing with thumb touching the flexed index is a symbol of peace and mentoring. The lotus flower supporting the hand is the national flower and symbol of India. The IFSHT beautiful logo of the hand resting on the lotus flower, predicted a meeting where knowledge and ideas would be shared from around the world at the International Federation of Societies of Hand Therapy 9th Triennial Council Meeting 2013 in New Deli, India.
IFSHT President Lynne Feehan PT, PhD, CHT welcomed the delegates from 39 member countries to the Business Meeting. Voting proceeded to accept Israel as a new member country, bylaw changes as the society is now incorporated in Switzerland, and elections. We are very proud of two ASHT members who were elected to the IFSHT Board: Peggy Boineau is the new treasurer, and Juli Howell was elected to the Financial Committee.
The IFSHT website has recently been upgraded, and all are encouraged to visit for information on international education opportunities, travel, profiles of hand therapy practices around the world and more.
The theme of the four-day meeting was how to transfer evidence into practice. Lynne Feehan opened the congress by reporting that the unpredictable and long delays in translating knowledge into practice requires new facilitators, ready to identify and break down barriers that impede change. She challenged academic and clinical professionals “to play in the same sand box.” Scientific papers were integrated into workshops so topics could be explored from research to current practice.
A highlight on the agenda was Evelyn Mackin’s presentation, “Reflections of the Legends,” in which she discussed the early efforts that resulted in the growth of international hand therapy communities and the IFSHT as a common forum. She was presented with a memorial plaque and showered with a standing ovation of applause.
ASHT members should look forward to 2016 when the IFSHT Triennial Congress will be hosted on the American continent in Buenos Aires by the Argentine Chapter for Hand Therapy and the Argentine Association for Surgery of the Hand.
Maureen Hardy, MS, PT, CHT
ASHT President-Elect