Abstract
In the world of medicine amputation is primarily meant to be a problem for surgeons, orthopaedics and later for rehabilitation personnel. It is easy to overlook other disciplines and acknowledge their contributions.
For many years Dr Levy has worked diligently with the skin problems of the amputees. His contribution “The skin problems of the lower extremity amputee”, published in 1956 in Artificial Limbs was presented with impressive colourful plates and a multitude of skin diseases of the leg stump starting with the diagnosis to the actual therapy. In 1961, he dedicated a pamphlet to the amputees called Stump Hygiene which is still a classic today.
Bill, as we called him, was the competent partner to deal with questions at the interdisciplinary discussion level in regard to the dermatological problems of the amputation stump. From the very beginning he was active in the International Society for Prosthetics and Orthotics (ISPO). If an amputee could not wear his prosthesis due to a skin problem, Bill was there to help with his legendary ability and the patience of an angel.
He received his degree in medicine from the University California School of Medicine in San Francisco. Postgraduate studies for dermatology followed at the Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston and at the Skin and Cancer Division in New York Bellevue Medical Center. He returned to his native San Francisco where he first was chief resident at UCSF, did research, lectured, began his own private practice and became Clinical Professor of Dermatology at the University of California Medial School in San Francisco. The skin problems of the leg amputees became his avocation. In 1983 his book Skin Problems of the Amputee, a collection of his many years of research and experience, was published by Warren H. Green Inc. St Louis, Missouri. He also wrote many articles until 2004.
Bill was a much desired gifted and excellent lecturer. All over the world he lectured for orthopaedics surgeons, prosthetists, rehabilitation workers, physical and occupational therapists and not to forget his colleagues in dermatology. He never ceased helping his orthopaedic colleagues when they got hopelessly into trouble with their amputee's skin problems. Where can we find help now?
Space does not allow me to mention all his many other contributions to medicine, specifically dermatology and humanity. We are thankful for his everlasting efforts, his skills, his understanding and being always ready to help his beloved amputee patients.