50 Years of ABTPé

A milestone to be remembered and celebrated with emotion

Abstract

Exactly 50 years ago, on December 12, 1975, ninety-eight Brazilian orthopedic surgeons gathered, at the invitation of Professor Manlio Mario Marco Napoli, to take part in the founding of the Brazilian Society of Podiatry—today known as the Brazilian Association of Foot and Ankle Medicine and Surgery (ABTPé). The founding ceremony was held at the headquarters of the São Paulo Medical Association and was honored by the presence of two world-renowned icons of Foot and Ankle Medicine and Surgery of that era, Dr. Antonio Viladot Pericé (Spain) and Dr. Hampar Kelikian (USA), who encouraged and strongly supported this Brazilian initiative.

At that same meeting, the principal objectives of the new society were established:

• To bring together physicians interested in the clinical practice and surgery of the foot and ankle.
• To encourage, improve, and disseminate studies, knowledge, and practice in foot and ankle medicine and surgery.
• To maintain close cultural and scientific relationships with the Brazilian Society of Orthopedics and Traumatology (SBOT), the Brazilian Medical Association (AMB) and their regional branches, as well as with other official national entities and corresponding international organizations.
• To promote congresses, scientific meetings, symposia, and other academic activities.
• To publish and disseminate scientific and technical advances related to this field of medical knowledge.

These objectives, defined half a century ago, remain alive and actively pursued in the daily work of ABTPé.

Celebrating fifty years of history is an achievement that reflects the commitment, dedication, and scientific excellence that ABTPé has consistently upheld over the years. Its contribution to the development of the specialty—both in Brazil and throughout the region—represents a fundamental pillar for the advancement of knowledge, the training of highly qualified professionals for society, and the continuous improvement of patient care.

It is deeply gratifying to recognize that, over the decades and through the dedication of successive boards and generations of members, we have preserved our focus and built a strong, cohesive, and effective society. United, we have continuously fulfilled and refined the goals inherited from our founders:

• We have disseminated scientific knowledge through 21 national congresses, numerous scientific meetings and thematic courses, national and international Foot Clubs, webinars, and the publication of textbooks dedicated to the specialty.
• We actively participate in the Latin American Federation (FLAMECiPP) and the International Federation of Foot and Ankle Societies (IFFAS), while maintaining close collaboration with federations in Europe, North America, Latin America, and the Asia-Pacific region.
• The Journal of the Foot and Ankle, the official scientific journal of the Latin American societies and Portugal, represents yet another original dream that has become a reality.

In this year marking our fiftieth anniversary, we extend our sincere gratitude to each and every member of this Association who, in their own way, contributed to the many achievements we celebrate today.