The Board of Certification/Accreditation (BOC) announced that it has established the Jim Newberry Award for Extraordinary Service, an honor named for James Newberry Jr., BOCO, BOCP, BOCPD, who passed away in 2016. The award will recognize individuals who perform extraordinary service to BOC and its community of stakeholders, and who live out the superior example modeled by Newberry during his more than four decades in O&P. BOC said that winners might include, but are not limited to, current or former board members, test development volunteers, vendors or other business partners, certificants, personnel from BOC-accredited facilities, consultants, and staff members. Applications for the award are now being accepted and nominees will be considered on an ongoing basis.
“Jim was completely devoted to BOC and to the O&P profession,” said Newberry’s wife, Lynne. “He cared so deeply about helping others and wanted nothing more than to make a positive difference in this world. Jim would have been so pleased that this award is named in his honor.”
Newberry was the director of O&P at Mahnke’s Orthotics Prosthetics, Oakland Park, Florida, where he had worked for more than 40 years, including holding roles as owner and practitioner. He began his career in O&P while serving in the U.S. Air Force after graduating from New York University.
Newberry sat on the BOC board of directors since 1984 and had served as BOC’s interim CEO and as a member of its executive and examination committees. He also taught courses on therapeutic diabetic shoes, negative casting, anatomy, and gait analysis at schools throughout the United States. A sought-after speaker, Newberry delivered presentations at events hosted by the American Orthotic & Prosthetic Association (AOPA), the Florida Association of Orthotists & Prosthetists (FAOP), the Pedorthic Footcare Association (PFA), and Medtrade.
Newberry had a passion for providing pediatric care, including scoliosis orthoses, prostheses, and cranial remolding helmets, and established four pediatric orthopedic clinics. He also provided orthoses for athletes in many of the high schools and universities in his area, as well as for the Miami Dolphins football franchise. He is credited with mentoring and training a number of orthotists, prosthetists, and technicians.
“All of us at BOC recognize the legacy Jim left behind and we hope this award encourages others to make similar contributions to BOC and the professional communities we serve,” said Claudia Zacharias, MBA, CAE, president and CEO of BOC.
Typically, there will be no more than one award winner per year, and there is no requirement for BOC to name a winner every year. Upon recommendation from the chair of the BOC board of directors, in rare instances the board may select more than one winner a year.
To submit a nomination, visit the Jim Newberry Award page on BOC’s website.
