The latest newsletter from the International Federation of Orthopaedic Manipulative Therapists (IFOMPT) is dedicated to Ian Searle, founding Secretary of IFOMPT, who passed away last month. The newsletter provides a condensed obituary from Barbara Hetherington, Brian Mulligan and Stanley Paris:
Ian’s contribution was unique. While he was a skilled practitioner and offered up a few special gems of his own, his principal contribution would be as Secretary of IFOMPT. He became Secretary at its second meeting in 1978 and remained in that position working from New Zealand for some sixteen years serving with such presidents as Stanley Paris, Bob Elvey and Robert Sydenham. He also worked closely with the Standards Committee which had many luminaries including Freddy Kaltenborn and Geoffrey Maitland. IFOMT was not a simple organisation to administer but Ian did it with a consistent attention to detail, to keeping the minutes and with diplomatic skill not afraid to do the right thing even on occasion when such was not popular. He was the anchor of IFOMPT for so many years assisting each new president to do their job.
Our condolences and best wishes go out to Ian’s family and friends at this time. Annalie Basson ends her Presidents message with a fitting quote from nelson Mandela:
A fundamental concern for others in our individual and community lives would go a long way in making the world the better place we so passionately dreamt of.
The newly named IFOMPT Release (well done to Tim Flynn for coming up with that great name!) goes on to include updates from committees and member organisations, many of which met at the recent AAOMPT conference in Cincinnati. We are very happy to see our IFOMT-Physiopedia partnership and individual member organisation collaborations mentioned. We enjoy collaborating with these organisations to bring them evidence updates through monthly delivery of the manual therapy specific newsletter, The Latest MSK.
Finally IFOMPT wishes all members, family and friends a Merry Christmas, and we wish it back to them!