A Meeting of the Minds at the Academy’s 41st Annual Meeting

New Orleans was the gathering place for the 1,700 O&P professionals who convened for the 41st Annual Meeting & Scientific Symposium of the American Academy of Orthotists and Prosthetists (the Academy). It began February 18, the day after the city ended its famed Marti Gras celebration, and continued through February 21. Academy President Phil Stevens, MEd, CPO, FAAOP, addressed attendees at Wednesday evening's opening session; he urged his colleagues to take time each day to move beyond the complacency of routine and reflect on the joy that playing a role in others' health and well-being brings. Academy Awards were bestowed on industry leaders, such as Don Katz, MHA, CO/L, FAAOP, who received the Titus- Ferguson Award for his years of contributions to O&P research and practice, and service to the Academy; and Kevin Carroll, MS, CP, FAAOP, who was recognized with the Distinguished Practitioner Award for his more than 30 years of practice and work as a researcher and educator. Other honors included Jason T. Kahle, MSMS, CPO, FAAOP, clinical creativity; Scott D. Cummings, PT, CPO, FAAOP, clinical commitment; Robert S. Gailey, PhD, PT, research; and Mark Muller, MS, CPO, FAAOP, and Gerald Stark Jr., MSEM, CPO/L, FAAOP, outstanding educators. Andrew H. Hansen, PhD, and Russell Hornfisher received Honorary Membership Awards for their work that is closely allied to O&P. Cameron Clapp received the Mohamed Amin Award for Humanitarian Service, which is presented to an individual with a disability and only at the discretion of the Academy board. Clapp, who has bilateral transfemoral amputations and a right transhumeral amputation, was recognized for his ongoing activism and volunteerism to inspire individuals with amputations to thrive. [caption id="" align="alignright" width="446"] 2015 Class of Academy Fellows, from left: Shane R. Wurdeman, PhD, MSPO, CP, FAAOP; Eric L. Weber, CPO/L, FAAOP; Kara L. Davis, CPO/L, FAAOP; Kate J. Allyn, CPO, FAAOP; and Martin H. Mandelbaum, CPO, FAAOP. Not pictured are Robert J. Dodson, CPO/L, FAAOP, and James R. Welch, CPO, FAAOP. Photograph courtesy of the Academy.[/caption] The Thranhardt Lecture winners presented their papers Thursday morning: "Ankle- Foot Orthoses for Children with Myelomeningocele: Functional Effects under a Dual-Task Paradigm" by Nikta Pirouz, CPO, and "Quantification of Residual Limb Skin Health and Circulation in Response to Elevated Vacuum Suspension," by Matthew Wernke, PhD. Thursday through Saturday offerings also included the opportunity to earn more than 38 continuing education credits with professional development sessions, instructional courses and symposia presentations, free-paper and poster presentations, demonstrations and discussions of clinical and practice management techniques and issues, manufacturer workshops, and product preview presentations. Of particular note was the session, "The Efficacy of Cranial Remolding Orthoses." A large audience assembled to hear the speakers, which included Renske M. van Wijk, PhD, author of the controversial study reported on in 2014 by The New York Times , as well as others with papers outlining favorable results attained with cranial remolding orthoses. A lively question and answer period followed. Accompanying the technician and pedorthic specialty programming was the Academy meeting's first-ever mastectomy program. The premier issue of Amplitude magazine was officially launched Thursday night. A party was held in conjunction with the Orthotic & Prosthetic Activities Foundation's (OPAF's) 20th anniversary celebration and First Bid Live and Silent Auction and the OPIE software party. Nearly 400 people attended this special event that offered complementary food, beverages, and a photo booth, where guests enjoyed posing for the camera with Marti Gras-themed props. More than $18,000 was raised to support OPAF's programs. [caption id="" align="alignright" width="442"] The Amplitude magazine launch party, OPAF 20th anniversary celebration/First Bid Live and Silent Auction, and OPIE software party drew about 400 people. Photograph courtesy of Tonja Randolph.[/caption] Other meeting highlights included the exhibit hall with 350 exhibits representing 180 companies and organizations; a new process that allowed PowerPoints to be preloaded in each room for seamless transitions between sessions; and the Friday business meeting, during which it was announced that Peter Rosenstein will be leaving his position as executive director of the Academy after ten years of service. The Academy's 42nd Annual Meeting & Scientific Symposium is scheduled for March 9-12, 2016, in Orlando, Florida.

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