American Academy of Orthotists & Prosthetists

October 2009 • Vol. 5 No. 4

Advancing Orthotic and Prosthetic
Care Through Knowledge

The Academy Has a Place for You

"Coming together is a beginning, keeping together is progress, working together is success." —Henry Ford

This is truly an exciting time to be a part of this great profession of orthotics and prosthetics. As a member of the American Academy of Orthotists and Prosthetists (the Academy), I was always impressed with the organization's desire to listen to me as a member and to respond with action. As a board member, I have met and worked with numerous fascinating people in our field, medical professionals closely related to our field, patients, and legislators who help guide our everyday practices. The historic times the O&P profession is facing are challenging our abilities as both professional and business organizations to work together for what is best for our field and our patients. The O&P Alliance has brought together the Academy and sister organizations with the hope of speaking with one voice and with a common message on as many relevant issues as possible.

Henry Ford once said, "Whether you think you can, or can't, you're right." This quote describes my experience on the board, and I plan to continue to operate under this belief. We can accomplish anything for the good of our profession and our patients when we set goals we believe in and believe we can achieve.

Our past president, James P. Rogers, CPO, FAAOP, had a vision of moving the Academy forward and has done an excellent job of elevating our profession and the Academy. Every three years, the board reviews the Academy's strategic plan and examines it to see if it meets the current needs of the Academy and you, its members. We look for new ideas and new ways to serve you. I move to the presidency during the second year of our current strategic plan and will use this plan as a compass that will help me lead the Academy though my year as president.

I hope that many more of you will consider getting involved in the work of the Academy this year. You can be involved at many different levels, but in whatever way you choose, you will be giving back to your profession and will have the satisfaction of knowing that you can make a difference because you believe you can.

Some of the ways to become involved are through our committees, societies, and our three councils, which include education, research, and professional issues. Whether your interest is in our education programs, assisting with our Paul E. Leimkuehler Online Learning Center (OLC), helping to identify research projects, or working on the issues facing the O&P Alliance, there is a place for you in the Academy. Closer to home, there is the work of our chapters—and I can assure you that there is definitely a place for you to help there.

As I begin my year as the Academy president, I think about the many trips I have taken to chapter meetings, annual meetings, and one-day seminars. What I remember about most of them is the exciting chances I had to exchange ideas with colleagues.

The Academy is truly the only O&P organization that represents you, the clinician. We are governed by what Abraham Lincoln said: We are a "government of the people, by the people, for the people"—and that means you.

Because of the work of those who have come before me and the progress we have made in research and practice, I am proud to be leading the premier organization in orthotics and prosthetics. Our mission states that we stand for advocacy, education, literature, and collaboration. In other words, we stand up for what is right for our patients and our field.

I look forward to working with you over the next year and to hearing from you about what you think the future of the Academy and our profession should be.

—Keith M. Smith, CO, LO, FAAOP