ABC/BOC

ABC/BOC

Ricky Partain

3/7/2004

After 34+ years in the O and P business I am so weary of this debate, I can't help but voice my opinion one more time. All my career I have been told I was a second class prosthetist because of not being ABC certified. Early on taking 3 years to finish courses at N.Y.U., eating beenie-weenie, staying at the y.m.c.a., working 2 jobs to take care of a child with spina-bifida ane a wife with lukemia only to see the bar raised. Then night school for an AA degree and then the bar raised again and so on. Meanwlile my mentor (CP0) sent to prison for MC fraud left me to fend for myself . Now owning 4 facilities and employing many practioners ABC & BOC I can see why the courts have stated they can see no difference in the quality of service between either. Some of each, I wouldnt allow to take out the garbage. Thank god we are really regulated by Physicians and consumers not ego-trippers seeking to eliminate competition not assure better service. Funny, certification never seems to matter on indigent care when a large claim is not at stake. I was involved in writing the BOC test and worked along side ABC /BOC /surgeons and physiatrists, were they 2nd class also? I am nearing the end of my road and only hope some day my believed betters could realize Expereance and perceverance count too. thanks for listening to me
                                                                          Rick Partain
                                                                          BOCOP