Donald D. Virostek
The American Board for Certification in Orthotics, Prosthetics & Pedorthics (ABC), has announced the appointment of Donald D. Virostek, CPO, as president of its 2012 board of directors. Other executive committee members elected for the 2011-2012 term include Timothy E. Miller, CPO, president elect; Curt A. Bertram, CO, FAAOP, secretary treasurer; and John M. Kenney, CPO, FAAOP, immediate past president.
ABC also welcomes three new members to its board of directors-Christopher J. Fairman, CPO, Deborah Merritt Plescia, CPO, and public member, Anthony Sertick Jr., JD-following the retirement of public member Tom Coakley, and Robert S. Lin, CPO, FAAOP. The new appointments were effective December 1.
Virostek began volunteering with ABC as a prosthetic examiner and has been instrumental in writing and developing all aspects of the practitioner credentialing exams over the past 12 years, according to an ABC press release. He joined the ABC board of directors in 2003. Since then he has played a role in creating many of ABC’s current policies and brings with him nearly 22 years of experience working in the O&P profession. Virostek has worked for Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children for 16 years and has served as the hospital’s director of orthotics for the past five years. He received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Pittsburgh, Pennyslvania; attended the University of Texas Southwestern, Dallas, for his orthotic and prosthetic training; and earned his certified prosthetist/orthotist credential from ABC in 1993. Virsotek first decided that he wanted to work in the O&P profession after a long struggle with fibrous dysplasia, a childhood bone disease, which resulted in the amputation of his left leg below the knee at age 16.
“I am greatly looking forward to working with such a dedicated and knowledgeable board and staff,” Virsotek said. “The level of commitment from all of these individuals is truly inspiring and is what has allowed ABC to grow as an organization while staying true to the overall mission.”
Timothy E. Miller
Miller has almost years 30 of experience in O&P and is the co-owner of Miller-Meier Limb and Brace, Bettendorf, Iowa. He has served as an ABC orthotic, prosthetic, and technician examiner; exam team member; chair of numerous ABC exam and certification committees; and was the ABC-board secretary-treasurer the prior year. He has authored components of the written and written-simulation exams.
Curt A. Bertram
Bertram has been volunteering with ABC as both an orthotics examiner and as a member of the exam team for many years, and has played a large role in the examination process. He first joined the board last year. Bertram is a practitioner at the Milwaukee, Wisconsin Hanger Prosthetic & Orthotic patient care facility.
John M. Kenney
Kenney, a right transtibial amputee, has served on the ABC board since 2003, most recently as the president, and helped to establish many of ABC’s current policies. He brings with him nearly 17 years of experience in the O&P profession. He owns and operates Kenney Orthopedics, which has three locations in Kentucky and one in Indiana. He has also been involved in several humanitarian ventures.
Christopher J. Fairman
Fairman has been volunteering with ABC on both the prosthetic exam and prosthetic CPM administration teams for several years. He also currently serves as an ABC exam-site coordinator. Fairman, co-owner of Great Lakes Prosthetics & Orthotics, with offices in Ypsilanti and Chelsea, Michigan, specializes in pediatric and adult prosthetic care, orthoses for athletes, and custom orthotic and prosthetic challenges.
Deborah Merritt Plescia
Plescia has volunteered with ABC for many years as an examiner, exam-development and administration team member, and facility-accreditation surveyor. She is a practitioner for the Hanger Prosthetics & Orthotics New Orleans, Louisiana patient care facility and also serves as the facility’s National Commission on Orthotic & Prosthetic Education (NCOPE) residency site coordinator.
Anthony Sertick Jr.
Anthony Sertick Jr., JD, joins the ABC board as a public member. Sertick currently serves as the Magistrate of the Youngstown, Ohio, municipal court. An orthotics consumer for 35 years, Sertick is an avid contributor to the disabled community.
