Reflections on the International Back and Neck Pain Research Forum
Botswana Clinical Coordinator, Dr. Mufudzi Chihambakwe, stands amidst the Swiss Alps during the International Back and Neck Pain Research Forum this June.
Back in 1987, my Dad made a trip to Switzerland for work. One of the most famous pictures in our family photo album growing up was of him standing at a lectern, giving an address somewhere in Switzerland. This was before I was born, and travel was much less common back then. And so I had heard about him frolicking in the snow and spending time with colleagues—it was the stuff of legend.
So a few weeks ago, when Cesar Hincapié invited me to participate in the 19th International Back and Neck Pain Research Forum in Davos, Switzerland, I got a bit giddy at the thought of following in my Dad's footsteps. And follow I did.
I had the opportunity to lend strength to a panel discussion on back and neck pain research in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) and meet incredible researchers and spine care clinicians from across the planet, like Saurab Sharma, PhD, Quinette Louw, PhD, and Christine Lin, PhD.
Also at the conference, I had the privilege of presenting my very first academic poster based on the MPhil in Inclusive Innovation that I recently completed at the Graduate School of Business – University of Cape Town, supervised by Jess Auerbach Jahajeeah.
And to top that off, the research poster was awarded the inaugural Memorial Prof Margareta Nordin Award for Best Poster from an LMIC. This was a deeply humbling honor because Maragreta was a champion for the work of World Spine Care, not just in Botswana, but all over the world. Her legacy continues through our work on the ground, seeing patients and the research we produce to make positive change.
I am deeply grateful to all the organizers for making efforts to include folks from various sectors and backgrounds and making space for folks from the global South to make inroads for greater inclusivity in the musculoskeletal space.
Why do we attend conferences?
To get outside of ourselves and see that the world is much bigger than the problems we face day by day. To lend strength to others and share insights from our corner of the world. And in my case, to follow in the footsteps of those who have gone before. Here's to making the most of every opportunity to be of greater service to those who need it most. 🙌🏾
