The Art of Prosthetics

The Art of Prosthetics: Craft Meets Care in Zambia

Join artist and prosthetist/orthotist, Katie Brinkley, to explore the intersection of technical skill, artistic craftsmanship, and compassionate care in providing prosthetic services in Zambia. Through the lens of a nonprofit organization's work, Katie will talk through the entire process of creating a prosthetic limb—from initial patient assessment and casting to the detailed sculpting, fitting, and final alignment that transforms raw materials into a life-changing device.

Beyond the clinical aspects, this presentation highlights the often-overlooked artistry inherent in prosthetic fabrication. Prosthetists must combine precise measurements with creative problem-solving, hand-shaping materials to match each individual's unique anatomy and needs, which requires both technical precision and an artist's eye for form and function.

Whether you're interested in global health, unique careers that have an art component, or the human stories behind assistive technology, this presentation reveals how care and creativity come together to restore mobility and…