as Chief of Surgery in Honolulu, HI. It was there
that he was first fully immersed in dealing with warcaused amputations and their aftermath. Dr. Burgess
pioneered new amputation techniques and prosthetic
technology. He started the Prosthetic Research Study
(funded by the VA) that developed the “Immediate
Post-Operative Prosthetic (IPOP) technique” that
put a prosthetic limb on a patient immediately after
surgery. In 1984 the Seattle Foot was developed that
allowed amputees to return to more physical activities
such as sports and hiking. iv
During the 1980s amputees started shedding
the “handicapped” label publically, but the military
wasn’t quite convinced yet. Not till Dana Bowman,
Sgt. First Class, did the Pentagon start taking notice.
Bowman served as a Green Beret and later as a member
of the Army’s Golden Knights parachute team. It was
during an air show jump that he lost his legs instantly
by colliding mid-air with his teammate and friend at
300 mph. The Army let him go, but he fought hard
during rehab to walk again and helped develop his
prosthetic devices. Within months he was parachuting
again with his Marine buddies who filmed him.
This film made its way to the Pentagon. They were
convinced of his abilities. He became the first doubleamputee to re-enlist into the Army. He continued to
jump with the Golden Knights until his retirement.
He is now a motivational speaker and encourages vets
with amputations to never give up. v
Today the componentry that companies, such
as Fillauer, have developed is being fit on active duty
military. These amputees are now being
deployed after injuries that would
previously have meant a medical
discharge from service.
Carlton Fillauer (far left) assists with gait training of a
bilateral amputee. (Photo courtesy of Fillauer.)
Dr. Burgess with the
Seattle Foot
Aroostook County also has
such opportunities through
Northern Prosthetics and
Orthotics in Presque
Isle. It was awarded
Dana Bowman, Sgt. First Class (Ret)
(Photo courtesy of Mr. Bowman)
WINTER 2013
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