Re: the changing state of O and P
Gary A. Lamb
Description
Collection
Title:
Re: the changing state of O and P
Creator:
Gary A. Lamb
Date:
11/2/2001
Text:
Dear John;
I am energized by the passion you exude in your post. As some have said,
there appears to be a mass generalization of three distinctly different O&P
organizations. At the risk of insulting someone’s intelligence, and
understanding the world and not just the USA is online, I would like to
begin by briefly defining the three organizations in alphabetical order.
The Academy (AAOP), American Academy of Orthotists and Prosthetists- A
Professional Society- Membership consists of individuals. Several
classifications of membership, the voting members are “Active” members. The
mission of the American Academy of Orthotists and Prosthetists is to promote
high standards of patient care through advocacy, education, and literature &
research. The Vision of the Academy is: Professionals providing better care
through knowledge.
ABC - The American Board for Certification in Orthotics and Prosthetics - A
credentialing organization - there is no “membership”, there are thousands
of credentialed practitioners and accredited facilities. The mission of the
American Board for Certification in Orthotics and Prosthetics Inc. is to
encourage and promote the highest standards of professionalism in the
delivery of orthotic and prosthetic services. The ABC advances the
competency of practitioners, promotes the quality and effectiveness of
orthotic and prosthetic care, and maintains the integrity of the profession.
AOPA - American Orthotic and Prosthetic Association - A National Trade
Association - Membership consists of institutions, O&P Companies, Education
and research programs, and Supplier/Manufacturer Companies. The mission of
AOPA is to work for favorable treatment of the O&P business in laws,
regulation and services; to help members improve their management and
marketing skills; and to raise awareness and understanding of the industry
and the association.
I would direct you to this web site for a history of the Academy,
<URL Redacted> it too was authored by one of the
founding members.
The truth is that any supplier member has the right to use the AOPA logo on
company stationery, and it has been that way since I became involved in O&P.
(1980) I doubt you have seen it happen, but yes, it could. That has nothing
to do with the bylaw change in AOPA.
I’m doubtful that in the past fifteen years you have not furthered your
education, and are surviving on “arcane knowledge”. By understanding the
orthotic and prosthetic principles and having the opportunity to utilize
them in fabrication, you have a reserve of knowledge to better fit your
patients.
The leadership of the organizations try to communicate to the field the
issues and challenges they face regularly. I appreciate your recognition of
the non-responsive mass. We endeavor to communicate in many different media,
(electronic, facsimile, mail, printed publications) and as yet have not
found the solution to move the membership to interact with us.
Association voting percentages are as abysmal if not worse than the US
general voting percentages. Truly shameful! If you desire a voice then you
should vote, in associations you must join to vote.
I would invite you attend the Academy’s Annual Meeting in Orlando, Florida,
March 20-23, 2002. Our format may have changed since you last attended one
of our meetings. For instance, we will offer four instructional courses (2
hours each) on Management of the Stroke Patient, Gait training for the
geriatric amputee, Deformational Plagiocephaly, and a Componentry
Roundtable. We will also offer six symposia (2 hours each) on Tone
reduction, Pain Management, Ethics, Patient Management from a Psychological
Standpoint, X-ray evaluation of idiopathic scoliosis, and Dermatology. We’ll
also offer case presentations, free papers and certificate programs for
professional development.
I hope you and other clinicians that have passion and desire for improving
the lives of those we care for will consider being active in our
professional society. The first step is membership.
<URL Redacted>
< <URL Redacted>> )
I look forward to meeting all of you.
Sincerely,
Gary A. Lamb CO, FAAOP
President
American Academy of Orthotists and Prosthetists
<Email Address Redacted> <mailto:<Email Address Redacted>>
I am energized by the passion you exude in your post. As some have said,
there appears to be a mass generalization of three distinctly different O&P
organizations. At the risk of insulting someone’s intelligence, and
understanding the world and not just the USA is online, I would like to
begin by briefly defining the three organizations in alphabetical order.
The Academy (AAOP), American Academy of Orthotists and Prosthetists- A
Professional Society- Membership consists of individuals. Several
classifications of membership, the voting members are “Active” members. The
mission of the American Academy of Orthotists and Prosthetists is to promote
high standards of patient care through advocacy, education, and literature &
research. The Vision of the Academy is: Professionals providing better care
through knowledge.
ABC - The American Board for Certification in Orthotics and Prosthetics - A
credentialing organization - there is no “membership”, there are thousands
of credentialed practitioners and accredited facilities. The mission of the
American Board for Certification in Orthotics and Prosthetics Inc. is to
encourage and promote the highest standards of professionalism in the
delivery of orthotic and prosthetic services. The ABC advances the
competency of practitioners, promotes the quality and effectiveness of
orthotic and prosthetic care, and maintains the integrity of the profession.
AOPA - American Orthotic and Prosthetic Association - A National Trade
Association - Membership consists of institutions, O&P Companies, Education
and research programs, and Supplier/Manufacturer Companies. The mission of
AOPA is to work for favorable treatment of the O&P business in laws,
regulation and services; to help members improve their management and
marketing skills; and to raise awareness and understanding of the industry
and the association.
I would direct you to this web site for a history of the Academy,
<URL Redacted> it too was authored by one of the
founding members.
The truth is that any supplier member has the right to use the AOPA logo on
company stationery, and it has been that way since I became involved in O&P.
(1980) I doubt you have seen it happen, but yes, it could. That has nothing
to do with the bylaw change in AOPA.
I’m doubtful that in the past fifteen years you have not furthered your
education, and are surviving on “arcane knowledge”. By understanding the
orthotic and prosthetic principles and having the opportunity to utilize
them in fabrication, you have a reserve of knowledge to better fit your
patients.
The leadership of the organizations try to communicate to the field the
issues and challenges they face regularly. I appreciate your recognition of
the non-responsive mass. We endeavor to communicate in many different media,
(electronic, facsimile, mail, printed publications) and as yet have not
found the solution to move the membership to interact with us.
Association voting percentages are as abysmal if not worse than the US
general voting percentages. Truly shameful! If you desire a voice then you
should vote, in associations you must join to vote.
I would invite you attend the Academy’s Annual Meeting in Orlando, Florida,
March 20-23, 2002. Our format may have changed since you last attended one
of our meetings. For instance, we will offer four instructional courses (2
hours each) on Management of the Stroke Patient, Gait training for the
geriatric amputee, Deformational Plagiocephaly, and a Componentry
Roundtable. We will also offer six symposia (2 hours each) on Tone
reduction, Pain Management, Ethics, Patient Management from a Psychological
Standpoint, X-ray evaluation of idiopathic scoliosis, and Dermatology. We’ll
also offer case presentations, free papers and certificate programs for
professional development.
I hope you and other clinicians that have passion and desire for improving
the lives of those we care for will consider being active in our
professional society. The first step is membership.
<URL Redacted>
< <URL Redacted>> )
I look forward to meeting all of you.
Sincerely,
Gary A. Lamb CO, FAAOP
President
American Academy of Orthotists and Prosthetists
<Email Address Redacted> <mailto:<Email Address Redacted>>
Citation
Gary A. Lamb, “Re: the changing state of O and P,” Digital Resource Foundation for Orthotics and Prosthetics, accessed November 5, 2024, https://library.drfop.org/items/show/217968.
