June 2006 • Vol. 2, No. 2
	Advancing Orthotic and Prosthetic Care Through Knowledge

Grant Update

In addition to encouraging members to actively engage in outreach efforts in their local area, the Academy is working closely with its chapters to broaden its grassroots efforts. After years of successful outreach tied in to the Academy’s Annual Meeting, we are working with the chapters to replicate this program at the chapter meetings.

In March, several dozen Chicago-area high school students joined members of the Academy at the Annual Meeting for an outreach program. Local practitioner Michael Brncick, MEd, CPO, addressed the students and explained the various aspects and career paths one can take within the orthotic and prosthetic profession. O&P students or school directors in the audience each talked about their program and what it offered, basic prerequisites, and time commitments. After the presentations, the O&P students paired up with the high school students and teachers to tour the exhibit hall.

One Academy member observed, “The exhibitors were fantastic. They seemed to really focus on the students and took time to show them their particular area of expertise and how they play a part in the development of a custom-made device for those in need of orthotics or prosthetics.”

Reaching Health Occupation Students

Following this model, a similar gathering occurred on April 7, 2006. Nearly 50 students from the Seattle-area Health Occupations Student Association (HOSA) attended the Northwest Chapter of the Academy’s Annual Meeting where they met with O&P students from the University of Washington, heard a career presentation, and then toured the exhibit hall. “This is not your ordinary career presentation,” stated Penny Pallachio, medical careers instructor with a Seattle-area skills center where local HOSA students meet. “These students are all interested in health-related careers, so discovering the many facets of the orthotics and prosthetics profession and seeing the technologies was fascinating.”

Additional outreach continues with HOSA on a national and regional level. In late March, Cara Negri, BSME, CP, conducted two workshops on careers in O&P on behalf of the Academy at the California Chapter of HOSA. She had the opportunity to address about 100 students on careers and schooling in O&P. Negri has a very personal interest in helping to spread the word. “I learned about the O&P profession through a program at my high school called ‘On the Job.’ My interest landed me a part-time job in high school and a co-op work program through college.” She continues to support this program and others, as she is a firm believer in this forum to recruit young talent into the profession.

The Academy will exhibit and present at the National HOSA meeting to be held in Anaheim, California, June 21–24. Academy member Randy Alley, BSc, CP, FAAOP, CFT, will conduct workshops for students on behalf of the Academy. Alley brings a diverse background to share with the students and is now an adjunct professor at Cal State Dominguez Hills. This national conference will allow the Academy to share the O&P profession with more than 5,000 future healthcare leaders—secondary, post-secondary, and collegiate students in pursuit of careers in the health professions as well as health science instructors and healthcare professionals.

Local Initiatives Needed

While the Academy works at the national level, for the outreach efforts to be truly successful and self-sustaining, all members need to conduct programs in their local area on an annual basis and list their name as a point of contact on the career website (www.opcareers.org). The Academy encourages members to take advantage of the complimentary career materials and visit a school for a career day presentation. The school kits are available in print and electronic format to share with students, teachers and counselors in your local area. Contact the Academy in advance of your presentation to ensure your request is fulfilled in time for your program. Attending students complete a survey (available in the kits and online at the O&P Careers site) so the Academy may measure the impact of the programming and the number of students involved in each outreach.