Alex, a Doc without borders
It must have been 7 or 8 years ago when Dr. Alexander Gardetto, a renowned sergeant from South Tyrol, Italy, read about the idea of a feeling leg prosthesis and a young company called Saphenus. Of course he knew the meaning of the word „Saphenus“ coming from the nervus saphenus. He was fascinated by the idea that the brain could be tricked by retraining the brain. Alex was familiar with the phenomenon from his everyday work as a reconstructive surgeon: the brain is incredibly capable of learning and, thanks to its high neuroplasticity, is always ready to respond to new situations.
A good keyword, responding to new situations. This is exactly what Dr. Gardetto’s working environment reflects. Everyone is different, everyone needs to be seen in a new light. And everyone is equal, regardless of their skin colour or ethnicity, and the thickness of their wallet should not be a reason for exclusion. An unusual approach for a doctor who himself was shaken by fate in his early years and wants to give all of this back.
Thanks to Alex’s love of experimentation, South Tyrol has developed into a Mecca for bionic prosthetics. The world’s first TSR (targeted sensory reinnervation) operation on a transfemoral amputee, the world’s first TSR on a hand amputee, the world’s first selective amputation with TSR. The list could go on and on, no wonder that top athletes with disabilities are beating down his door and no wonder that another world record in Everesting took place virtually on his doorstep. Alessandro Colombo, also coached by Alex. Today they are friends.
The fact that people in South Tyrol are probably moving closer together then others, probably has to do with its history, a small region of Italy where German is the mother language. Alex, however, saw the move closer together in a different context. A bit more humanity and solidarity for those who do not have the wealth to be able to afford sufficient medical help.
Numerous humanitarian missions in Africa, Madagascar and most recently in Ukraine are evidence of this openness and generosity. He already came from a journey back from Madagascar.
https://www.gardetto.it/de/doz-dr-gardetto/humanitaere-missionen
Alex Gardetto, an avantgarde figure and a new definition of a doctor. No longer a „semi-god in white“ but a job description with high social affinity and more giving than receiving. A perfect match for the Saphenability project.