Re: Apology

Re: Apology

John Fain

8/19/2003

Tom,

I read your apology. That is a great letter. I am impressed by the manner
in which you explained the chain of events. I wish more people in our
profession could display such a humble apology with such sincerity and
integrity.

 You are a good man. Only God knows how many of us almost pass out when we
hit the send button on our computer and then WOW....realize what it
means.

Sincerely,

John W. Fain, II CPO


----- Original Message -----
From: Thomas Karolewski < <Email Address Redacted> >
To: < <Email Address Redacted> >
Sent: Monday, August 18, 2003 11:51 AM
Subject: [OANDP-L] Apology


> Dear List Serve,
>
> This posting is a formal apology to Northwestern University
> Prosthetics- Orthotics Center, Hanger Prosthetics and Orthotics, this
> list serve and O & P Practitioners.
>
> My earlier posting suggested that Hanger had solicited Northwestern
> patient models by sending our patients an invitation to attend a
> Hanger patient clinic. I also claimed that the patients did not know
> how Hanger got their names for the invitation.
>
> I now understand that these patients were in fact Hanger patients and
> were receiving invitations from Hanger for routine follow up care. I
> was wrong in my accusation that Hanger was soliciting our patient
> models; Hanger was appropriately providing superior levels of
> clinical care by ensuring their patients were receiving ongoing care
> and services.
>
> In addition, I also claimed in my posting that Hanger routinely
> recommends that all patients receive replacement socket. Of course,
> this claim was illogical, without merit and unprofessional. To
> suggest that any prosthetic company would make blanket
> recommendations regarding patient care was an embarrassment to me and
> an insult to our entire profession.
>
> I also made disparaging remarks regarding the relationship between
> Hanger and Ossur. I confess that when I made my posting I was basing
> my comments on rumor and gossip. I have since learned that Hanger is
> actually the largest single provider of Ossur products in the world
> and Ossur's largest customer. I was wrong to make public statements
> regarding topics I knew nothing about.
>
> I apologize to Northwestern University for including my title and
> affiliation with Northwestern in my posting, my posting was
> unprofessional and inappropriate and do mot reflect the opinions or
> position of Northwestern University Prosthetics-Orthotics Center.
>
> I apologize to Hanger Prosthetic and Orthotics for making false and
> inappropriate comments.
>
> I apologize to this list serve for making an inaccurate and misleading
posting.
>
> Lastly, I deeply apologize to my fellow clinical practitioners. As an
> associate affiliated with an educational institute and as an Academy
> member, I should be setting an example for our profession; I regret
> that my actions in my posting did not do so.
>
>
> Thomas Karolewski, CP, FAAOP
> --
> Thomas Karolewski, C.P.,FAAOP
> Assistant Director of Prosthetics Education
> Northwestern University Prosthetics- Orthotics Center
> 1(312)238-1182
>
>