Convener Recommends Academy for Seat at Negotiated Rulemaking TableSeveral Organizations Ensure O&P Voice Will Be Heard
Lamb also told the Board that members are responding very well to the appeal for help in funding the costs associated with NRP (Negotiated Rulemaking Process). He praised the members for their understanding of the urgency and impact of the issues involved. 3 DAYS ON GAITNew Special Skills Course Is Filling Fast
The first program will be on Overview of Gait Analysis for Prosthetists and Orthotists and presented in partnership with Northwestern University Prosthetic Orthotic Center September 27-29 in Chicago. Future "short courses" will cover other pertinent O&P skills over two, three, or even four days depending on the subject and be limited to about 30 practitioners. Bostock, John Michael, CPO, FAAOP, FISPO, and Dudley Childress, PhD developed the concept of the Advanced Training Courses. Other notable members of the faculty besides Childress include Steven Gard, PhD, Stefania Fatone, PhD (Australia), Margrit-Regula Meier, PhD, CPO (Switzerland), Rebecca Stine, MS, Mark Edwards, MS, CP, and Bryan Malas, CO. Registration (by August 28) is $995 for Academy members, $1095 nonmembers and includes a Gait Analysis text by Dr. Perry plus breakfast and lunch each day. More information about the Advanced Training Series can be found on the Academy website at www.oandp.org. Ohio Chapter-AAOP Spring Meeting: A Resounding Success
Presenters included popular return presenters, James Campbell, PhD, CO, Kevin Carroll, MS, CP, FAAOP and Deanna Fish, MS, CPO, FAAOP known for their exciting and informative presentations. Mike Schuch, CPO, FAAOP, and Mike Thompkins, President of Animated Prosthetics, Inc., brought a treasure trove of 21st century information on myoelectric systems from their research and development work at Duke University. Schuch and Tompkins' work has been featured on a number of recent television shows, including the Discovery Channel and the Discovery Health Channel, as well as in several issues of O&P Business News. Jim Walker, CO, of NOPCO, presented a well received program on hybrid orthoses for neuromuscular scoliosis. Frank Friddle, Jr., CPO of Friddle's Orthopedic Appliances, presented a fascinating session on the use of color and plastics in orthotics. A panel of professionals rounded out the array of presenters: Ron Kidd, CPO, Mark Bondurant, CPO, Randy Daniel, CP, Manuel Garcia, CP and Glen Schober, CP. Ohio Licensure Passes - Licensure, of course, has been an important topic at every Ohio meeting for the past five years. Ron Kidd, one of the key individuals steering this issue through its many twists and turns, had the honor of announcing the passage of Ohio's licensure bill to the attendees. The Ohio Chapter Spring meeting hosts the largest number of exhibitors outside of the national meeting. This Spring's meeting saw 57 companies show their services and products. This represents the sixth year of an average annual 10% increase in number of exhibitors. Most exhibitors are delighted to come to the Ohio meeting and find their time well-spent. Attendee evaluations show that the feeling is mutual. For information on Ohio Chapter meetings (two are held each year), contact Rich Butchko, (614/457-4312), Ohio Chapter-AAOP, 1161 Francisco Road, Columbus, OH 43220.
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Official notification has yet to arrive, but the Academy has learned it was recommended for a seat on the Neg-Reg Committee along with ABC, AOPA, and NCOPE. Academy President Gary A. Lamb, CO, FAAOP, made the announcement at the Board's Strategic Planning Meeting in Bandera, TX last week. The full list will soon be published in the Federal Register with a prescribed comment period. Other O&P organizations recommended for seats include NAAOP, IAOP, BOC, Hanger, Point Health Centers, and a coalition of Illinois and Florida certification boards to represent those states with Licensure requirements. Additionally, the Michigan O&P Association will form a coalition to represent the interests of state organizations.
The Advance Training Series is the Academy's latest education offering debuting in September. Frank H. Bostock, CO, FAAOP, described the course as one where in general "practitioners can expect to leave with a skill they can use when they complete the intensive training."
The Ohio Chapter-AAOP's annual Spring Conference continues to grow as it has for each of the past six years. More than 230 O&P professionals, technicians, CPeds and BOC's from seven states (as well as one attendee from Canada) participated in the top-notch professional program.
