Once again, the PrimeFare Seminar brought together growing numbers of CEU seekers in Nashville, Tennessee, on June 24-25, where the PrimeCare Network's sixth annual seminar continued to set attendance records. PrimeFare seminar registration nearly doubled over last year's totals, and more than 50 tabletop exhibits offered attendees the opportunity to expand their knowledge of new techniques and technology in the O&P field, as showcased by industry leaders. In addition to the two core tracks in orthotics and prosthetics, PrimeFare's classroom sessions, meetings, and workshops also included a popular technicians' track and a pedorthic curriculum presented by Dennis Janisse, CPed, president and CEO, National Pedorthic Services Inc., Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and sponsored by P.W. Minor, Batavia, New York. Guest Speaker: Dr. Stacey Brennan Restorative Care booth The returning administrative track launched the seminar on Friday morning with a special presentation by Stacey Brennan, MD, medical director for Medicare's Region C DMERC, which covers 14 states and 40 percent of all Medicare beneficiaries. Sensitive to the issues troubling Region C, Brennan addressed concerns over the rash of probe audits in the region, and helped to clarify what Palmetto is looking for, relative to physician documentation. She responded to audience questions and offered suggestions with regard to obtaining appropriate input from physicians. "Dr. Brennan covered a lot of good information in a very positive presentation," said PrimeCare Board Member John Reynolds, CPO, "She was happy to answer as many questions as possible in the time allowed. This opportunity for an exchange of information and concerns was an excellent step in relationship-building between the O&P community and Medicare. I heard nothing but good reviews from the attendees following Dr. Brennan's session." Cailor Fleming booth Dr. Brennan's presentation was sponsored by members of the PrimeCare O&P Network LLC. The remainder of the administrative track offered tips for taming accounts receivables from Joyce Perrone, Promise Consulting; guidelines for business growth and expansion from Brigg Ett Jordan, Silipos; an O&P software round table, coding updates from Tom DiBello, Dynamic O&P; CAD considerations from Pierre-Louis Ours, Ohio Willow Wood; and an O&P Business Management Forum. Other presenters on this year's agenda included Dale Beckham, Prosthetic-Orthotic Associates; Gary G. Bedard, CO, FAAOP, Becker Orthopedic; James Binelli, CPO, Spinal Technology; Mary Charton, Snell Prosthetic & Orthotic Laboratory; Wayne Fichtel, CP, Ohio Willow Wood; David Fillauer, CPO, and Karl Fillauer, CPO, FAAOP, Fillauer, Inc.; Sandy Fletchall, OTR/L, CHT, MPA, FAOTA, Capabilities for Living; JeffGreen, RTPO, SPS; David Hendricks, CPO, FAAOP, HOPE Orthopedics/StatFab; Steve Hill, BOCO, OTS; Kale Hinnant, CP, FAAOP, W. T. Hinnant Artificial Limb Company; Michael Leach, CPO, Otto Bock; Betty Hamil Lolley, Dothan Brace Shop; Greg Mattson, RTPO, Fabtech Systems; Joel Mitchum, Alabama Artificial Limb & Orthopedic Service; Rick Riley, Townsend Design; Keith Senn, Center for O&P Care; Steve Smith, SmithGlobal; Sharon Toscano CP, LP, ESP; Tony Wickman, RTPO, Freedom Fabrication; Scott Wimberley, Fabtech Systems; James Wynne, CPO, Boston Brace International.The grand prize drawing - a one-week getaway at a picturesque cabin on the Lake of the Ozarks donated by SmithGlobal - was won by Bill Eason of Milledgeville O&P, Milledgeville, Georgia. "Attendee surveys consistently cited the excellence of the speakers, the scope and the timeliness of the curriculum, and the quality of the seminar experience overall," reported Catherine Griffith, president of the PrimeCare O&P Network. "One comment noted that PrimeFare is 'small enough for one-on-one, and large enough to provide up-to-date and new training.' We're very pleased with the responses we received." Encouraged by the enthusiasm of such responses, PrimeCare is currently developing plans to add another educational seminar to its scheduleone that will more conveniently serve the western United States, as the traditional Nashville location has served the eastern portion of the country. The first-ever PrimeFare West Seminar is slated for Salt Lake City, Utah, February 10-11, 2006. For more information as plans evolve, call 888.388.5243, or visit www.primecareop.com The original PrimeFare Seminar will return to Nashville August 11-12, 2006. "PrimeCare extends thanks to its sponsors for helping to make the PrimeFare Seminar a consistently-growing annual success," the network said. Sponsors included Boston Brace International Inc., Fillauer Inc., and P.W. Minor, as well as OTS Corporation, Otto Bock, Fabtech Systems, PEL Supply Co.,oandp.com, Spinal Technology Inc., Orthotic & Prosthetic Components, College Park Industries, American Prosthetic Components, Jim Smith Sales (now SmithGlobal), Becker Orthopedic, and The O&P EDGE.
