It pays to register by the Super-Saver deadline of February 18. Members save $75 over the on-site registration fees AND you'll automatically be entered to win prizes such as a free one-year Academy membership, dinners at local restaurants, a facial, a massage, and a day pass to the Sheraton Spa and Fitness Center. The Academy is also lining up sponsors of prizes to be given during the exhibit hours.

We would like to extend a special thank you to the sponsors of the prizes. Sheraton San Diego, Star Destinations, Navigant International, The Sofitel Lafayette Square, The Hyland Group, Walt Disney World Parks & Resorts, Hyatt Regency New Orleans, Hyatt Hotels & Resorts, Wyndham International, and Palm Springs Resort Hotels & Convention Center.

Plan your day and the sessions you will attend before you even reach San Diego using the Academy's exclusive Annual Meeting Planner. It's a simple and very productive way to schedule your time. Log onto the Academy's Members only website at members.oandp.org and view the entire Academy education program and Exhibit Halls. Follow the easy instructions and click on the individual sessions and events to create your own personal schedule for the entire meeting. Print your own personal itinerary and schedule in minutes! This personal scheduler also works like a charm to help you identify which exhibitors you wish to visit — and it highlights their booth on the Exhibit Hall diagram.

Sheila Press, president of Healthcare Compliance Solutions will present a step-by-step explanation of what you need to have in place in order to meet the requirements of the HIPAA Privacy Standards. If you've waited until now, or if you're not sure you've done everything the law requires, attend this session and ease your mind. Healthcare Compliance Solutions is a partner with the Academy's Model HIPAA Compliance Plan and devotes its full efforts to helping practitioners comply with the many healthcare regulations. Practices will have to develop notices of their privacy practices, create “business associate" contracts for vendors that receive protected health information, develop a privacy compliance program, have written policies to address patient privacy, train their staff, and take other steps to meet the Privacy Standard's obligations. The penalties for violating the Privacy Standards are severe. They include a civil monetary penalty of $100 per person per violation for violation of a single standard in one year. Additionally, there are criminal penalties for knowingly violating the Standards of up to $250,000 in fines and 10 years imprisonment.

(The Academy also provides help in reaching compliance with its Model HIPAA Compliance Plan on CDROM and the corresponding Privacy Officer's Supplement notebook. Members may review the documents at the Academy Bookstore.)

Some sessions are so good you'll want to share the content with others when you return to your office. Every handout available at the meeting is provided to you on a CD-ROM. The full Journal of Proceedings is also available in the Members Only section of the Academy's website (www.oandp.org) beginning March 19.

Project Quantum Leap (PQL) is an umbrella term for several important projects over many years that will benefit the O&P profession as a whole. It includes:

• An awareness campaign to promote O&P as a career option to high school students;
• Help for the remaining O&P schools via government grants;
• Documenting Clinical Standards of Practice through consensus conferences;
• Encouraging and partially funding applied research in O&P.

As you tour the Exhibit Halls you will notice many suppliers proudly displaying a Project Quantum Leap button and ribbon acknowledging their support of this important project. Contributions from suppliers and individuals provide "seed money” for the Academy to seek grant money to fund the many PQL activities. Stop by the Academy's booth for more information and please make a contribution toward Project Quantum Leap.

New at the Academy show this year! You'll enjoy spending time in the Exhibit Hall listening to manufacturer presentations in a dynamic, theater setting. These 30-minute presentations are lively and informative and earn you additional PCE credits. Stop by the Product Display Showcase in the Exhibit Hall.

The Academy has eight scientific societies, five of which are offering special presentations focusing on their specific areas. Plus the Craniofacial Society is providing an Instructional Course as part of the programming. Spaced throughout the meeting these courses give you the unique opportunity to gain valuable information, learn more about the current activities of the societies and earn continuing education credits.

Back by popular demand! Revised and retooled! The new Practice Management Certificate Program is based on the concepts originally presented and now developed further. New topics — new presenters. The subjects covered in this program apply to everyone's practice — you can't afford to miss these education sessions. The entire certificate program includes a selection of ten modules of which eight must be completed. Several modules now have a short quiz included, which also adds to the number of PCE credits a member can earn. Five modules will be presented in San Diego.

"The Academy meeting, compared to others, is a little less commercial and more pure education. I like the fact that it's more scientific based rather than a pitch from a vendor in the guise as education. It's one thing to learn the science behind a new product from an expert and another to hear a sales pitch from the manufacturer. The Thranhardt Lectures have been excellent, especially in the last few years. They’re outstanding!" Jeffrey A. Nemeth, CPO, FAAOP Academy Member Hanger Prosthetics and Orthotics; Chandler, AZ