Apology

Apology

Thomas Karolewski

8/18/2003

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