American Academy of Orthotists & Prosthetists

Two Great Meetings at the Same Time & Place

MORETTO: A few years ago, as the Academy was adding to the quality programs at its annual meeting and looking for ways to make a top-notch program even better, several Board members mentioned the quality and mix of programs presented at the ACPOC meeting. It was known that the ACPOC meeting had gained a reputation of being a lively group of passionate clinicians who were always willing to challenge each other to do better. It was also noted that ACPOC's meeting, while focused on pediatric O&P, attracted a broader collection of speakers and attendees, such as physicians, orthopaedic surgeons, nurses, orthotists, prosthetists, PTs, OTs, and others involved in rehabilitation. After reciprocal visits, both Boards felt it was worth co-locating our meetings in a way that would benefit members of both organizations.

GUIDERA: Each organization empowered their respective planning committees, comprised of orthopaedic surgeons and orthotic and prosthetic practitioners, to develop separate programs with two, 90-minute joint presentations in general sessions. In many ways the ACPOC meeting and the Academy's will be following the same format and schedule as before, but with enhancements that come from the advantage of being co-located. No other meeting can match the outstanding clinical and professional education sessions offered at this combined meeting.

GUIDERA: No problem. All attendees are welcome to pick and choose the sessions they wish to attend. The one registration fee gives each attendee open access to all the programs. We expect there will be some "cross pollination" of ideas.

GUIDERA: One of the highlights of ACPOC meetings is the juried address named for Hector Kay, MEd and the President's Selected Speaker. Kay's early association with prosthetic education began at New York University where he was involved in the Adult and Child Prosthetic Studies group. Kay was active in O&P for twenty years, and the Association of Children's Prosthetic-Orthotic Clinics, though founded after his death, owes its existence to Kay.

MORETTO: The Academy is pleased to have the presenter of ACPOC's Hector Kay Lecture be the keynote address as well as the President's Speaker for general sessions.

MORETTO: We're fortunate in that the hotel is large enough to accommodate the combined exhibitors of both meetings. There is a large overlap, however ACPOC members will have the opportunity to see a number of suppliers and exhibitors they haven't seen in the past.

KINGSLEY: Allow me to answer that one. As Chairman of the Exhibits, I've heard from many exhibitors who are very excited about this meeting, especially the added value of having two audiences of existing and potential customers at one meeting. For those exhibitors that offer pediatric-oriented products we'll have a way for them to identify themselves. I think this is going to be the best meeting for everyone involved in O&P, attendees and exhibitors alike.