Florida O&P Providers Care About Their Profession and Furthering Education

Florida O&P Providers Care About Their Profession and Furthering Education

tony barr

8/1/2004

It took approximately 44 seconds to raise an additional $44,000 toward its
$750,000 goal for the St.Petersburg College Orthotics and Prosthetics
Program at the joint
Florida Association of Orthotists and Prosthetists (FAOP) and Florida
Chapter of the American Academy of Orthotists and Prosthetists (FCAAOP)
meeting held in Bonita Springs, Florida July 15-17.

Nine spirited contributors met the challenge of Florida Chapter members Alan
Finnieston,LPO; and Hugh Panton, LPO, FAAOP to match their $1,000
donations for the school. Wallis Farraday LP; Josh Ryder, LO: Laura
Ryder,LPO, FAAOP; Howard McCluney,LPO; Danny Strzempka, LPO; David
Goris, LPO; Paul Prusakowski , LPO,FAAOP; Terry Bukacheski, LP and yours
truly, skweaky wheel regulation drum beater and life-time honorary
FAOP member, contributed to the cause.

This $11,000 was matched by the Florida Chapter and the entire $22,000 will
then be matched by the state of Florida totaling $44,000.00 !!

Practitioners in Florida,O&P's first regulated state in the country,
obviously recognize the need for further education as the new requirement
for future prosthetists and orthotists to obtain a bachelors degree and pass
a national exam for certification.

It is estimated that only 60% of the O&P patient population will be able to
obtain O&P professional care by 2010*
* National Commission on Orthotic and Prosthetic Education

There are currently only three baccalaureate programs and five certificate
programs in the country to train orthotists and prosthetists.
The practitioners in this state put their money where their mouth is. A
Florida licensed O & P provider cares about safegaurding the integrity of
their profession and supports further education. I'm personally very proud
to be part of this.

If you missed your opportunity to support your profession and pledge a
donation for the school (pledges can be spread out to up to 3 years) and
want to leverage your contribution with matching grants, please make it now
by contacting the below or plan on attending another educational seminar in
Tampa September 17-18 to benefit the O&P Program at St. Pete College..

Invest in Your Profession !!

It matters not the amount of your contributions.
Every licensed or soon to be licensed practitioner of O&P in the state
should get on board to support their profession.
Florida is the model of licensure utilized by nine other states.Its strength
lies in the role of professional advocacy.
The matching grant fund challenge is for a limited time only so please to it
NOW :) ! .!! please do it NOW!o please do it now. .

For more information,contact Paul Prusakowski, <mailto:<Email Address Redacted>>
<Email Address Redacted>
or
Andy Ralston
Orthotics & Prosthetics Program Campaign
St.Petersburg College Foundation,Inc.
PO Box 13489
St. Petersburg,Fl 3373
727.341.3126
 <mailto:<Email Address Redacted>> <Email Address Redacted>
 < <URL Redacted>> www.spccollege.edu