July 2005 • Vol. 1, No. 2
	Advancing Orthotic and Prosthetic Care Through Knowledge

Welcome to The Academy TODAY

Who are we as a profession? Where are we heading? Who is the future O&P professional going to be? Those are just some of the burning questions that we must all continually ask and openly discuss as we chart the profession’s course into the future.

Changes in healthcare and business are occurring very rapidly. It is imperative that as a profession we take ownership of our destiny and do not wait for changes to happen by themselves. We must begin right now to define who we are, and who we want and need to be in the future as a profession.

As advocates for the O&P professional, The Academy is working hard to lead the profession through these very difficult times. It is up to each of us to work together to establish a stronger identity for the profession in the current healthcare marketplace. The Academy is developing licensure workshops to assist state chapters and state associations interested in defining the profession within their state borders through legislation. This is just one step toward ensuring that our profession’s future will continue to be promising.

Every profession requires a solid foundation firmly rooted in education. The Academy is helping to shape the future of professional education in partnership with the National Commission on Orthotic & Prosthetic Education (NCOPE) and the National Association of Prosthetic and Orthotic Educators (NAPOE). To keep up with trends in allied health education, we are working together to establish the next level of educational standards for the O&P clinician. To continue to be an integral member of the healthcare team now and into the future, our profession must raise the bar of educational standards to keep pace with our fellow allied healthcare professionals.

I hope you enjoy this second edition of The Academy Today, and that you enjoy experiencing its evolution toward becoming the premier delivery mechanism for your home-based continuing education needs. With each new edition, you will find more clinical, business, and technical education learning modules that link directly to the Academy’s Online Learning Center, where you can learn and earn ABC-approved PCE credits.

I look forward to serving the profession as Academy president through June 2006, and I ask for your help in shaping the future of this great profession.

Sincerely,

Paul E. Prusakowski, CPO, LPO, FAAOP