October 2006 • Vol. 2, No. 4
	Advancing Orthotic and Prosthetic Care Through Knowledge

CHAPTER UPDATES

Fall 2006

Northwest Chapter: Anne Yamane, CO, president of the Northwest Chapter, reports that the 2006 meeting held in Seattle, Washington, was a great success. During the meeting the membership voted to make donations to the Barney Simon scholarship fund at the University of Washington and the technician program at Spokane Falls Community College. A donation was made to the Prosthetics Outreach Foundation, and to the Academy Research Fund. The chapter is scheduling its meeting for the spring of 2007.

Florida Chapter: Danny Griner, CPO, LPO, president of the Florida Chapter, announces the formation of a student society within the Florida Chapter.

With support of Sam Phillips, CPO, Dean of St. Petersburg College, the students of the O&P program expressed an interest in becoming involved with the Academy. The formation of a student society within the Chapter will involve the students in volunteer activities, participation in planning and running the annual state meetings, and provide an opportunity for students to become more active in the Academy through leadership training and mentoring opportunities. The Florida Chapter also announced that the formation of a new technician educational program is being evaluated in the Tampa Bay area.

Northern Plains Chapter: Jill Marshall, CP, president of the Northern Plains Chapter, reports that the board and membership voted to make a donation to the Digital Resource Foundation for Orthotics and Prosthetics (www.DRFOP.ORG) to fund the complete digitization of the second edition of the Atlas of Limb Prosthetics to be made available online. This text will accompany the ACPOC journals, the JPO, and other texts that will be viewable and keyword searchable for the entire O&P community. Jill challenges other chapters and organizations to consider supporting this initiative to digitally archive our historical professional texts and journals to make them more accessible worldwide. Other contributions this year have been to purchase a skeleton for Century College’s Orthotics and Prosthetic department to aid the faculty and students in their studies; and a $2,000 contribution to the Quantum Leap project.

The chapter’s annual educational seminar was set for Friday, September 8, 2006, at the Shriners Hospital in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Concurrent sessions for Orthotics and Prosthetics were approved by the American Board for Certification in Orthotics and Prosthetics (ABC) for nine continuing education credits.

The chapter was pleased to offer its first continuing education opportunity focused on Pedorthics. This session was held concurrently on Friday, September 8, 2006, at the Best Western in St. Paul, Minnesota. BCP credits have been applied for, and ABC has granted 7.5 credits.

New England Chapter: Kenneth Cornell, CO, president of the New England Chapter, is proud of the Chapter’s successful annual meetings. This year the chapter has focused on getting exhibitors more involved with attendees. Exhibitors must have something to raffle off. Attendees decided which exhibits are the most interactive and the top three exhibits receive cash prizes. The New England chapter prides itself on its great programming as well as its ability to incorporate fun into the meeting schedule. This year the meeting is in Kennebunkport, Maine, at the beautiful Colony Hotel and will include a New England-style clambake pool side.

Midwest Chapter: Theresa K. Thorpe, CP, LO, president of the Midwest Chapter, reports that during the Annual Spring Scientific Seminar at the Wyndham Milwaukee Center, the chapter was able to raise $400 for OPAF. The chapter is currently planning the Fall Scientific Seminar being held November 4, 2006, at the Scheck & Siress Orthotics & Prosthetics facility in Hickory Hills, Illinois. This didactic-only seminar will offer exciting information for O&P professionals and their staff. Plans for the 2007 Spring Annual Meeting are underway. The meeting will be held at the Tinley Park Holiday Inn, just outside of Chicago, Illinois, May 31–June 2, 2007. This two-day course with afternoon breakout workshops will prove to live up to past standards set by the Midwest Chapter. The two-day course will be preceded by a golf outing.