The Louisiana Association of Orthotist and Prosthetist (LAOP) held its first annual state meeting on June 17-19 in Lafayette, Louisiana at the Hotel Acadiana. The three-day event played host to over 70 attendees and 36 vendors/exhibitors. Attendees also were offered a three-day schedule of educational workshops in which practitioners could earn continuing education credits. Tom DiBello, CO, FAAOP, delivered the keynote address, speaking about the need for a unified O&P community to establish effective and efficient outcome analyses in order to validate services provided. He also addressed the importance of providing scientifically gathered statistical evidence of successful, cost-effective outcomes to present to congressional leaders and funding resources in the O&P community. "The spirit of the meeting was outstanding, with a large proportion of members in attendance and strong support from the 36 exhibitors," said Clint Snell, LAOP president. "I felt like we had an unbelievable first meeting, with some great presentations, and social activities including a Louisiana-style crawfish boil. I was very pleased by the spirit of camaraderie and cooperation among attendees."
The Louisiana Association of Orthotist and Prosthetist (LAOP) held its first annual state meeting on June 17-19 in Lafayette, Louisiana at the Hotel Acadiana. The three-day event played host to over 70 attendees and 36 vendors/exhibitors. Attendees also were offered a three-day schedule of educational workshops in which practitioners could earn continuing education credits. Tom DiBello, CO, FAAOP, delivered the keynote address, speaking about the need for a unified O&P community to establish effective and efficient outcome analyses in order to validate services provided. He also addressed the importance of providing scientifically gathered statistical evidence of successful, cost-effective outcomes to present to congressional leaders and funding resources in the O&P community. "The spirit of the meeting was outstanding, with a large proportion of members in attendance and strong support from the 36 exhibitors," said Clint Snell, LAOP president. "I felt like we had an unbelievable first meeting, with some great presentations, and social activities including a Louisiana-style crawfish boil. I was very pleased by the spirit of camaraderie and cooperation among attendees."