OPAF ANNOUNCES SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENT

Julie Besaha

Description

Title:

OPAF ANNOUNCES SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENT

Creator:

Julie Besaha

Date:

5/25/2004

Text:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 25, 2004
Contact: Julie A. Besaha
OPAF Director of Operations
(202) 223-2878

Read this announcement online at: <URL Redacted>

OPAF ANNOUNCES SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENT

Washington, DC - OPAF is proud to announce that Michelle J. Hall will be
first individual to receive an award from the scholarship program
associated with the OPAF Dale Yasukawa Memorial Fund.

Hall will receive her award during the 2004 Business Meeting of the
Midwest Chapter, to be held at noon on June 5, 2004 in Milwaukee, WI.

Hall distinguished herself from other applicants in stating through her
application that orthotists and prosthetists have a unique opportunity
to help those with disabilities to lead more active lives and take part
in their communities. It is my goal to treat the broadest spectrum of
persons with disabilities, and ultimately lead them to the attainment of
an active and independent life.

The Dale Yasukawa Memorial Fund was established at OPAF in November 2001
in the name of Dale Yasukawa CP. Yasukawa, who died on November 22, 2001
at the age of 43, served as director of prosthetics at the
Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago (RIC) in the department of
prosthetic-orthotic clinical services. He began his work with RIC in
1988 as a physical therapy aid. In 1990, he joined the O&P clinical
services department, and in 1991, Yasukawa attended the Northwestern
University prosthetics certificate program. He became an ABC-certified
prosthetist in 1993 and throughout his career worked with patients of
all ages - children, young adults, and geriatrics. Yasukawa was involved
in the Midwest Chapter of the American Academy of Orthotists &
Prosthetists for over seven years, completing his service as immediate
past president in 2001.

In cooperation with Linda Yasukawa, PT, MS, OPAF created a scholarship
program connected to Dale's memorial fund.

The scholarship program is currently open to all full-time degree
candidates enrolled in Northwestern University's Prosthetic Orthotic
Center (NUPOC) during the fall 2003 and spring 2004 terms. The chief
purpose of the scholarship is to encourage student participation in the
annual meeting of the Midwest Chapter of the American Academy of
Orthotists and Prosthetists (AAOP). It is expected that the award will
be used specifically to defray Midwest Chapter meeting registration fees
and assist in the purchasing of books, supplies, and equipment needed
for ongoing studies at NUPOC.

OPAF will award one $500 scholarship each fiscal year.

As the Memorial Fund grows through future contributions, its associated
scholarship program will expand to recognize the continued support of
OPAF's founders: the American Academy of Orthotists and Prosthetists
(AAOP), American Board for Certification in Orthotics and Prosthetics
(ABC), and American Orthotic and Prosthetic Association (AOPA). The
future scholarship program will be open to all full-time students
enrolled in O&P Programs accredited by the National Commission on
Orthotic and Prosthetic Education (NCOPE) and the Commission on
Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP). Scholarship
recipients will be expected to use their awards to defray fees incurred
toward:
. AAOP Annual Meeting registration;
. AOPA National Assembly registration;
. registration for annual meetings of state and regional AAOP
chapters and AOPA associations and societies; and
. registration for the ABC certification examinations.
For more information about the Dale Yasukawa Memorial Fund and its
associated scholarship program, and/or to make a donation, please
contact:

Orthotic & Prosthetic Assistance Fund, Inc. (OPAF)
1666 K Street NW, Suite 440
Washington, DC 20006
Tel (202) 223-2878
Email <Email Address Redacted>

---

OPAF is a 501(c)(3) public charity, the official philanthropy of the
U.S. orthotics and prosthetics community, established in 1995 by the
Orthotic and Prosthetic National Office. Dedicated initially to
providing financial and in-kind support to the 1996 Paralympics, OPAF
now generates its own initiatives through partnerships with individuals,
organizations and institutions engaged in raising public awareness of
disability and improving the quality of rehabilitation medicine, science
and technology.

As a community-focused nonprofit organization, OPAF aims primarily to
enable individuals with physical disabilities-especially those served by
members of the orthotics and prosthetics community-to enjoy the rewards
of personal achievement, physical fitness, and social interaction.

All contributions to OPAF are tax-deductible to the fullest extent of
U.S. law, and annual sponsorships of OPAF, its programs, and its
fundraisers are available to every individual, institution, and company
inside and beyond the O&P community. For more information about
sponsorship opportunities contact OPAF at 1666 K Street NW, Suite 440,
Washington, DC 20006, Tel. (202) 223-2878, email <Email Address Redacted> , or
visit <URL Redacted>

For complete information about current OPAF programs, please visit
www.opfund.org.

                          

Citation

Julie Besaha, “OPAF ANNOUNCES SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENT,” Digital Resource Foundation for Orthotics and Prosthetics, accessed November 27, 2024, https://library.drfop.org/items/show/223083.