Vol. 7, No.5

June 2002

Election Results Reflect Top Talent

The following individuals were elected by mail ballot for the 2002-03 term. Results were tallied and verified by the accounting firm of Crombie & Associates.

On a related matter, Scott Cummings, CPO will be appointed to fulfill the unexpired portion of the director's position vacated by Paul Prusakowski. Officers serve for one year, while directors are elected to a three-year term. Terms for the new officers and directors will commence July 1.

Advanced Gait Program Returns to Northwestern

Overview of Gait Analysis for Prosthetists and Orthotists, an intensive two-day training program where practitioners will leave with new skills will return to the facility where it debuted last year to a sell-out class. "Northwestern University has always been a good partner for us on meetings," Academy Executive Director Tom Gorski explained as he announced the site location for the next Advanced Training Series (ATS) and Exam Preparation Seminar (EPS). He noted the high caliber of Northwestern's facilities and convenience of Chicago for air travelers. The Academy will repeat the ATS program September 19-21, developed by Frank Bostock, CO, FAAOP; Dudley Childress, PhD; and John Michael, CPO, FAAOP, FISPO. "This was one of the finest faculties ever to present at an Academy program and we're very excited to be able to offer the program again," said Gorski. The EPS, also a perennial sell-out, will be offered October 18-19.

PA Chapter Moves to Absorb MD, DC, VA

The Pennsylvania Chapter met during their annual meeting in Pittsburgh recently with a delegation of practitioners from Maryland, Virginia and the District of Columbia to discuss forming a combined chapter. By combining efforts, this new chapter will be able to satisfy the region's need for "local" educational and scientific programs. The MD, DC, VA Chapter has not met in the last five years and will explore the necessary arrangements for disbanding. The PA Chapter also announced it is in the final stages of planning their spring meeting next year to be held May 15, 16 and 17, 2003.

Craniofacial Society Forming

Over the last 15 years, there has been a resurgence in the use of cranial remolding orthoses used to treat positional plagiocephaly. The increased incidence of this condition has been linked to the American Academy of Pediatrics' 1992 recommendation to place infants in a supine position rather than the traditional prone position for sleeping. In addition, sustained daytime positioning in infant baby carriers coupled with premature births, congenital muscular torticollis, restrictive intrauterine environments, cervical abnormalities and/or birth trauma produces asymmetrical head molding in the young infant.

When applied in a timely manner, cranial remolding orthoses can provide lifelong correction of the abnormal head shape. If not treated properly, it is suggested that positional plagiocephaly can lead to long-term temporal mandibular joint problems, significant facial asymmetry, developmental delay, and possible hemihypoplasia. Similar orthotic treatment programs are also used for post-operative protection and/or remolding of infants diagnosed with premature fusion of cranial sutures, a condition called craniosynostosis. Still other types of cranial orthoses are used to provide protection for individuals with seizure disorders and traumatic head injuries.

The purpose of the Craniofacial Society will be to bring together clinicians who share common interests in the management of infants with plagiocephaly, post-operative treatment of craniosynostosis, and protective designs for various patient groups. This exchange of information would cover patient evaluation processes and procedures, casting procedures, documentation of outcomes, orthotic design criteria, treatment protocols, and many other areas. The objective of the society is to encourage clinical and product research and development, and to present and publish the results of these efforts. The Craniofacial Society will function through conference calls, roundtable discussions, newsletters, personal correspondence, e-mail, O&P listserv, journal clubs, as well as develop program content for national and local meetings.

As in other areas of traditional orthotic and prosthetic practice, other allied health care groups are currently providing this type of orthotic treatment program without the advantages of advanced orthotic education and training. It is important that the concept of cranial remolding orthoses be returned to the O&P domain, where it originated over 25 years ago. Collectively, the experience and expertise of credentialed orthotists can serve to define and refine orthotic treatment programs for patients in need of cranial orthoses.

Approval of the new society is expected at the Board's June meeting. Members may receive more information on this new society by contacting any of the four committee members listed below:

Staff Prepares for Change in Membership Year

Academy staff is preparing the process needed to make a change in the Membership Year, shifting it from the old Dec-Nov cycle to July-June. The Board-approved measure will relieve members of being asked to pay their dues around the holiday season once the transition is complete. For 2003, members will be given the option of paying dues for a "short year" of December 2002 to June 2003 - or - not being billed again until 2004, by opting for an "extended year" of December 2002 to June 2004. For example, Active Members (practitioners) pay an annual dues rate of $300. (This amount has not increased in eight years.) If a practitioner chooses the "short year" option, his/her dues would cover seven months for $175. If he/she chooses the "extended year," the 19 months of dues would be $475. These amounts are based upon prorated annual dues ($300 ÷ 12 = $25 monthly rate X the number of months chosen). The Academy is also offering the option of installment payments for Active and Affiliate Members (both categories are at the $300 rate). The individual would sign a form allowing the Academy to charge his/her credit card four installments of $121.75 ($118.75 dues plus a $3 transaction fee) for the 19-month long transition year. The card is charged for one-fourth of dues ($121.75) every two months.