Vol.10, No.6

May 2005

ACADEMY CONTINUES AWARENESS EFFORTS

Efforts to increase awareness of careers and schooling in orthotics and prosthetics remain a key focus of the Academy. Outreach efforts in high schools, community colleges and colleges are continuing during Year II of the Academy's grant through the U.S. Department of Education.

Connecticut hosted the first career awareness visits for grant Year II on April 26-29. Former Paralympians Dennis Oehler and Todd Schaffhauser, ambassadors for the O&P profession through career awareness, made a profound impact on the students when sharing personal accounts of how O&P practitioners changed their lives. They visited two community colleges and five high schools over the course of three days. Local O&P residents Gabe Bossarte, CO, Bobby Thariath and Deanna Ceniglio, CP joined the athletes to share specifics on academic and practical requirements for entering the profession.

Physical therapy and occupational therapy assistant students expressed a particular interest in the O&P profession. This interest fits the "broader" reach of the grant Year II programming to interest potential "cross-over" students in the O&P profession.

The Academy encourages its members to participate in career days and fairs in their local area. Visit www.opcareers.org/career_info/index.html to download a career PowerPoint presentation and script, pre- and post-surveys for the students and an ABC Category II PCE application to earn credits for your outreach efforts. The Academy can also send complimentary career kits and brochures to be used at these visits. Please call (703) 836-0788 or email: .

New York Chapter News

NYSAAOP Awards Athletic Sponsorship to Kevin King
Kevin King was 14 years old when he and his younger brother were riding all-terrain vehicles and Kevin was hit by a car that dragged him 260 feet. Kevin, now 16, is a transtibial amputee and an avid skier. His Junior Division skiing achievements include a gold medal at Windham Cup-Giant Slalom in New York, a silver medal in the Breckenridge Ski Spectacular-Giant Slalom and various bronze medals at the U.S. Nationals in Colorado and Eastern Regional in New Hampshire. He is ranked third in the United States Ski Association's Junior Male Ski Racing and received the New York Senate Triple C Award for Courage, Commitment and Community and the National Handicapped Racing Association’s Steve Mehal Award. "Since Kevin's amputation, he has been a real inspiration to all who come in contact with him," says David R. Sickles CP, CPed, BOCO, of Creative Orthotics and Prosthetics, Inc. in Oneonta, NY, who recommended King receive the NYSAAOP athletic sponsorship.

Don’t Forget to Renew!

The 2004-2005 Membership Year closes at the end of June. To prepare for the upcoming year we have sent out your annual renewal by mail and updated the online renewal system. Take a moment and review your renewal information. You will be asked for your Academy Person ID and last name to pull up your form.