The Orthotic and Prosthetic Alliance (O&P Alliance) publicly announced today that the Board of Certification/Accreditation, International (BOC) has been invited to participate in conference calls and meetings with the four organizations of the O&P Alliance in order to better coordinate the public policy priorities of the O&P profession and the patients we serve. This development follows major commitments made in December 2008 with respect to an “historic agreement” reached between the O&P Alliance and BOC on education and clinical training criteria for orthotists and prosthetists.
The BOC has accepted the invitation and, as of November 8, 2010, has been participating in O&P Alliance meetings. The O&P Alliance comprises four national orthotic and prosthetic organizations including the American Board for Certification in Orthotics, Prosthetics, & Pedorthics (ABC), the American Academy of Orthotists and Prosthetists (the Academy), the American Orthotic & Prosthetic Association (AOPA), and the National Association for the Advancement of Orthotics and Prosthetics (NAAOP).
“Although we look forward to this new level of collaboration, the BOC will not be a member of the Alliance at this point,” stated Peter W. Thomas, counsel to the O&P Alliance and General Counsel of NAAOP. “It will not have a vote or pay monthly dues, but it will participate in O&P Alliance meetings and conference calls to discuss policy development, implementation, and the Alliance’s ongoing work in the area of government affairs. We believe this is another important milestone for the O&P profession that will ultimately lead to improvements in patient care, particularly in the areas of education, clinical training, and competency assessment requirements.”
Sharon Nichelson, CMF, COF, chairwoman of BOC’s board of directors, notes, “We fully support the Alliance’s mission of ‘advocating for state and federal policy that improves the practice of O&P and quality of services provided to patients who require these healthcare services.’ Including BOC will further the Alliance’s efforts to present a unified voice, facilitate improved communication, and reduce confusion among important stakeholders.”
“This is a major step forward for everyone involved,” adds Claudia Zacharias, MBA, CAE, president and CEO of BOC. “We believe that the O&P profession is at a tipping point where we must move beyond any past differences and focus instead on what makes the most sense-today and tomorrow-to the profession and those we serve.”
