Vol.10, No.3 |
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February 2005 |
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The Journal of Rehabilitation Research and Development, published by the Department of Veterans Affairs, will be sent without charge to Academy members. An agreement between the Academy and the VA permits the government to send the bimonthly journal and reflects the closer relationship between the two organizations. The Academy will welcome approximately 40-50 VA practitioners at the Annual Meeting in Orlando and will provide some onsite services for the group to meet.
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Members from the Academy and the Canadian Association of Prosthetists and Orthotists (CAPO) will meet June 24-25 in Toronto for a combined international scientific symposium. The meeting is the result of talks between the two organizations to develop a high caliber shared meeting held in the years between the CAPO annual meeting. A joint planning committee has assembled an experienced and international faculty who will present and participate in a series of symposia, instructional courses, and plenary sessions. Topics will include: Orthotic Management of Stroke, Energy Storage in AFOs, Upper Extremity Prosthetics, Management of the Bilateral Lower Extremity Amputee, and Plagiocephaly. Complete details and online registration will soon be posted on the Academy’s website.
Stroke is a major cause of disablement in many western countries affecting just under two per thousand individuals with almost 70% unable to return to work. As many as 50% of new CVA patients present with little to no walking ability during the early phases of their recovery and rehabilitation program. It is acknowledged that an important aspect of expert care for stroke patients is the early start of intensive rehabilitation including physical therapy, occupational therapy, orthotic management and speech therapy. The Academy’s new certificate program will focus on the purpose of orthotic rehabilitation: to enhance recovery, substitute for functional deficits, improve efficiency, and improve overall quality of life. An experienced faculty will provide the audience with an understanding of the disease and recovery process and how orthotic and therapeutic management can be utilized and integrated to optimize patient function.
The Fabrication Sciences Society was formed to assist in the acquisition and dissemination of technical information. In the past the Society funded a research project led by Gary Bedard, CO, FAAOP on the proper cooling methodology of homopolymer polypropylene, which was later presented to the entire Academy membership in the form as a Thranhardt Lecture at an Annual Meeting. The Society plans to turn its attention to investigating the use of composites in the field of orthotics. This technology, though not new, is becoming increasingly popular, and is used largely based on the same anecdotal concepts which have driven the use of composites in the field of prosthetics, according to Society chair and founding member, Tony Wickman, RTPO. The Society vice chair is Greg Mattson, RTPO and Jeff Green, RTPO is Society secretary.
Sidney Fishman, PhD, an Honorary Member of the Academy, died last week. He was an important contributor to the O&P community through his work as an educator and author. Dr. Fishman was dedicated to encouraging practitioners to commit to lifelong learning to continuously upgrade their skills and knowledge.
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Call: 703/836-0788
Fax: 703/836-0737
Mail:
526 King Street, Suite 201
Alexandria, VA 22314
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