(Photos courtesy of Aarti Deshpande and team)
UCSF Orthotics & Prosthetics was proud to participate in a USISPO (United States Member Society for the International Society for Prosthetics & Orthotics) service-learning trip to the Crimal Rehabilitation Integral Clinic in Querétaro, Mexico, from September 13–20, 2025.
UCSF’s Aarti Deshpande, MS, CPO, FAAOP, USISPO board member, led a team of four clinicians, one technician, and two residents to provide hands-on prosthetic care in a low-income community setting. UCSF Prosthetic Resident Megan Wright, MPO, CTP, had the opportunity to be part of and contribute to this impactful global health experience.
Over the course of one week, the team collaborated with Crimal staff to support 14 patients through key stages of clinical care—from evaluation to trial fittings and from trial to definitive prostheses. These 14 patients included two with hip disarticulations, two with below-knee amputations, and ten with above-knee amputations. U.S. prosthetic residents gained invaluable experience in evaluation, casting, fabrication, fitting, and follow-up under the guidance of various mentors, while also learning alongside local orthotic and prosthetic students.
The team also toured the O&P clinical facility as well as the fabrication and engineering lab at the local university, UNAM (Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México), and engaged with students and faculty in the University’s Prosthetics & Orthotics program. A presentation by the USISPO team was attended by approximately 50–60 students.
This global outreach effort highlights UCSF’s commitment to ethical, interdisciplinary care and immersive education.
We are grateful to UCSF Orthotics and Prosthetics and Cascade Orthopedic Supply, LP for their support!
