In the News
Ossur Employees Complete Ironman Championship
Ossur North America employees, Sarah Reinertsen, an above-knee amputee, and Peter Harsch, CP, both completed the 2005 Ford Ironman Triathlon World Championships in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, on Oct. 15.
The Ironman consists of a 2.4-mile ocean swim, a 112-mile bike race and a grueling 26.2-mile run through lava fields and fierce winds.
Reinertsen and Harsch were among only 1,800 applicants selected out of the approximately 50,000 who attempted to qualify for the Ironman. Since the race, both Reinertsen and Harsch have received national media attention and garnered extra news coverage of the O&P field.
Reinertsen was featured on the Oct. 21 broadcast of ABC's "Nightline" and was interviewed with Harsch on CBS's sports special, "Arete Honors for Courage in Sports." She will also appear on a series called "Super Humans," expected to air on The Learning Channel in February 2006.
A marketing manager at Ossur, in Aliso Viejo, Calif., and also a member of Team Ossur, Reinertsen is the first female amputee in the world to complete Hawaii's Ironman Championship. She finished in 15 hours, 5 minutes and 15 seconds.
Peter D. Harsch, CP, a regional clinical manager for Ossur, placed 80th out of 200. His time was 9 hours, 56 minutes and 23 seconds.
For more information, visit www.ossur.com.
AOPA Bookstore Fulfillment Moves to AOPA Headquarters
AOPA has moved the AOPA Bookstore to its Alexandria, Va., headquarters, effective Jan. 1, 2006. Now, AOPA products are available for purchase by calling AOPA directly at (571) 431-0865.
Customers can still buy AOPA products online at www.AOPAnet.org.
"Bookstore customers can now purchase AOPA products, get more information and speak with AOPA experts, all on the same call," said Brian Walrath, AOPA's membership manager.
For more information, contact Kerry Stalknecht at (571) 431-0876, ext. 254, or kstalknecht@AOPAnet.org.
BOC Announces New Requirements for COF Candidates
BOC recently announced that all applicants for its certified orthotic fitter (BOC-COF) credential will now be required to pass BOC's video practical exam and the multiple choice exam to achieve certification. This change is effective Jan. 1.
The new requirements are designed to measure both clinical and hand skills in patient practice.
For more information, visit www.bocusa.org.
Priority Period for 2006 Assembly Exhibit Space Ends Soon
The priority period for 2005 National Assembly exhibitors to claim their show floor space at the 2006 National Assembly in Hollywood, Fla., ends on Feb. 28.
On March 1, exhibit hall space opens for purchase to the general public, and show floor space will be assigned on a first-come, first-serve basis.
For more information on the 2006 National Assembly, being held at The Westin Diplomat Resort and Spa on Sept. 27-30, visit www.AOPAnet.org.
To reserve exhibit space, contact Kelly O'Neill at (571) 431-0876, ext. 252, or koneill@AOPAnet.org.
Medicare Updates
- CMS Rebids for New DMERC Contracts. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) is rebidding the four DMERC contracts, with an expected changeover to begin on July 1, 2006. The current DMERC functions will be split between two new types of contractors: Medicare Administrative Contractors (MACs), to process claims; and Program Safeguard Contractors (PSCs), to handle medical review and benefit integrity issues. Each region will have one MAC and one PSC. DMERCs will no longer exist.
- CMS Announces Preliminary Changes for DMERC Regions. Maryland and Washington, D.C., will shift from Region B to Region A. Virginia and West Virginia will shift from Region B to Region C. Kentucky will shift from Region C to Region B. In Region D, no changes are expected.
- Region C Medical Director Resigns. Stacey Brennan, M.D., left her position as the Region C medical director, effective Nov. 4, 2005. Under a separate contract, Brennan is now responsible for overseeing appeals for all four regions. At this time, no replacement Region C medical director has been named.
- Mark Pilley, M.D., Named New Medical Director for Region D. Mark Pilley, M.D., formerly of Mutual of Omaha, was selected to replace Robert Hoover, M.D., as the Region D medical director. Under the new contractor arrangement of MACs and PSCs, Pilley will work for the PSC. The EDS company was awarded the MAC contract for Region D, while IntegriGuard has won the PSC contract.
- Regions A and B: TriCenturion Awarded PSC Contracts. TriCenturion, the current PSC for Region A, was also awarded the same contract for Region B. As a result, Robert Hughes, M.D., the current Region A medical director, will become the PSC medical director for Region B as well. For more information on any of these items, visit www.cms.hhs.gov.
Last Call for 2006 Assembly Abstracts
AOPA seeks dynamic speakers to present clinical and business presentations on a variety of topics at the 2006 AOPA National Assembly, taking place on Sept. 27-30 in Hollywood, Fla., at The Westin Diplomat Resort and Spa.
Eligible presenters will receive either a one-day complimentary registration or equivalent credit toward full registration.
For more information, contact Tina Moran at (571) 431-0876, ext. 208, or tmoran@AOPAnet.org, or visit www.AOPAnet.org.
AOPA Coding Products Go on Sale
AOPA has a limited supply of its 2005 expert coding products available at a discounted rate—half-off the regular price. This sale is for AOPA members only.
The sale products include AOPA's 2005 CodingPro CD-ROM, 2005 Illustrated Guide and 2005 Quick Coder.
To purchase, visit the AOPA Bookstore at www.AOPAnet.org, or contact Kerry Stalknecht at (571) 431-0876, ext. 254, or kstalknecht@AOPAnet.org.
AOPA Elects New Members to Board of Directors
AOPA member representatives elected the following individuals to the AOPA board of directors during the Annual Business Meeting at the 2005 AOPA National Assembly in Las Vegas.
The newly elected board members include:
- President-elect: Ronald "Ted" Snell, CP, C.F.I. Prosthetics and Orthotics, Memphis, Tenn.
- Vice president: Bradley N. Ruhl, Otto Bock Health Care, Minneapolis
- Director at large: Rodney W. Cheney, CPO, FAAOP, American Prosthetics & Orthotics Inc., Clive, Iowa
- Director at large: Marc N. Karn, CP, Maine Artificial Limb & Orthotics, Portland, Maine
- Director, 4-10 facilities: Rick Fleetwood, Snell Prosthetic & Orthotic Laboratory, Little Rock, Ark.
- Director, 200+ facilities: Thomas F. Kirk, Ph.D., Hanger Orthopedic Group Inc., Bethesda, Md.
- Supplier director: Russell J. Hornfisher, Becker Orthopedic Appliance Co., Troy, Mich.
AOPA thanks two departing board members for their years of dedicated service: Keith D. Cornell, CP, BOCO, FAAOP, who served as immediate past president, and Brian L. Gustin, CP, who served as director, 4-10 facilities.
The new officers and board members took office on Dec. 1, 2005.
"O&P Yellow Pages" Debuts Enhanced Listings
The "O&P Yellow Pages," a complete buyer's guide of the latest O&P products and services located on AOPA's Web site, now contains new, enhanced listings.
These hyperlinked listings take the Web user to photos of the latest O&P products and include information on benefits, manufacturers and purchase details.
Search in the following categories: orthotics, prosthetics, lab and clinic supply items, lab equipment, O&P service providers and all AOPA member suppliers.
To view these listings, visit www.AOPAnet.org and click on the "Search O&P Yellow Pages" tab. Then select "O&P Products."
For more information, contact Amy Clontz at (888) 557-7277 or aclontz@AOPAnet.org.
AOPA Partners with oandp.com to Offer a New Member Benefit
AOPA has partnered with oandp.com to offer OPIE Lite Purchasing Management software to all 2006 new and renewing AOPA members with no setup fee.
The OPIE Lite software is designed to streamline purchasing and inventory processes of O&P businesses, even across multiple locations.
Regularly a $500 value with associated setup fees, OPIE Lite software is now available to AOPA members and includes a one-hour training session.
To take advantage of this AOPA member savings, contact Kerry Stalknecht at (571) 431-0876, ext. 254, or kstalknecht@AOPAnet.org, or visit www.oandp.com/OPIE.
ABC Fitter Program Adopts Certification Designation
ABC announced it has adopted the title "certified" for all ABC orthotic and mastectomy fitters. This group is designated as "certified fitters," effective Nov. 1, 2005.
ABC also announced that ABC fitter applicants will now be required to complete a discipline-specific examination, the first of which will be in May 2006. Computer-based testing for this discipline will begin in the fall of 2006.
For more information, visit www.abcop.org.
Correction
The recently released O&P Education Summit Study was published by the Academy through a grant from the Department of Education.
In the November issue, the O&P Almanac incorrectly reported that NCOPE published the study. The Almanac regrets any inconvenience or confusion this may have caused.
In Memoriam
Mark Wallace Daszynski died on Oct. 4 in San Jose, Calif. He was 47-years-old.
In 1982, Daszynski joined the Center for Orthotics Design, a subsidiary of the Fillauer Companies based in Campbell, Calif. As operations manager, his expertise ranged from patient interaction to manufacturing.
Daszynski is survived by his wife and two children.
Hans Richard Lehneis, Ph.D., CPO(E), died on Oct. 15. Lehneis was most recently the director of the Rusk Institute of Rehabilitation Medicine, in New York City.
In 1969, he opened Lehneis Orthotic and Prosthetic Associates in Roslyn, N.Y. His sons, H. Richard Lehneis Jr., CPO, Alfred Lehneis, CPO, FAAOP, and Roger C. Lehneis now run the company.
Lehneis had dozens of O&P articles and book chapters published. He also served as a rehabilitation engineering consultant to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio.
Donations may be made in Lehneis's name to the Rusk Institute's Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, attention Mathew Lee, 400 E. 34th St., Ste. 600, New York, New York 10016.
Morgan Burgess Sr., CO, died on Sept. 2.
Burgess first became interested in orthotics after he suffered a leg injury. In 1964, he graduated from The Institute for the Crippled & Disabled in New York City and later specialized in pediatric and scoliosis orthotics.
After 20 years of working for several companies, Burgess opened his own facility, Burgess Orthotics, in 1984. It was the first African-American-owned facility in the state of New Jersey.
Since his retirement in 1999, he enjoyed his hobbies, including hunting and fishing.
