FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 25, 2004
Contact: Julie A. Besaha
OPAF Director of Operations
(202) 223-2878
Read this announcement online at: http://www.opfund.org/announcements/
OPAF ANNOUNCES SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENT
Washington, DC – OPAF is proud to announce that Michelle J. Hall will be first individual to receive an award from the scholarship program associated with the OPAF Dale Yasukawa Memorial Fund.
Hall will receive her award during the 2004 Business Meeting of the Midwest Chapter, to be held at noon on June 5, 2004 in Milwaukee, WI.
Hall distinguished herself from other applicants in stating through her application that “orthotists and prosthetists have a unique opportunity to help those with disabilities to lead more active lives and take part in their communities. It is my goal to treat the broadest spectrum of persons with disabilities, and ultimately lead them to the attainment of an active and independent life.”
The Dale Yasukawa Memorial Fund was established at OPAF in November 2001 in the name of Dale Yasukawa CP. Yasukawa, who died on November 22, 2001 at the age of 43, served as director of prosthetics at the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago (RIC) in the department of prosthetic-orthotic clinical services. He began his work with RIC in
1988 as a physical therapy aid. In 1990, he joined the O&P clinical services department, and in 1991, Yasukawa attended the Northwestern University prosthetics certificate program. He became an ABC-certified prosthetist in 1993 and throughout his career worked with patients of all ages – children, young adults, and geriatrics. Yasukawa was involved in the Midwest Chapter of the American Academy of Orthotists & Prosthetists for over seven years, completing his service as immediate past president in 2001.
In cooperation with Linda Yasukawa, PT, MS, OPAF created a scholarship program connected to Dale’s memorial fund.
The scholarship program is currently open to all full-time degree candidates enrolled in Northwestern University’s Prosthetic Orthotic Center (NUPOC) during the fall 2003 and spring 2004 terms. The chief purpose of the scholarship is to encourage student participation in the annual meeting of the Midwest Chapter of the American Academy of Orthotists and Prosthetists (AAOP). It is expected that the award will be used specifically to defray Midwest Chapter meeting registration fees and assist in the purchasing of books, supplies, and equipment needed for ongoing studies at NUPOC.
OPAF will award one $500 scholarship each fiscal year.
As the Memorial Fund grows through future contributions, its associated scholarship program will expand to recognize the continued support of OPAF’s founders: the American Academy of Orthotists and Prosthetists (AAOP), American Board for Certification in Orthotics and Prosthetics (ABC), and American Orthotic and Prosthetic Association (AOPA). The future scholarship program will be open to all full-time students enrolled in O&P Programs accredited by the National Commission on Orthotic and Prosthetic Education (NCOPE) and the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP). Scholarship recipients will be expected to use their awards to defray fees incurred
toward:
. AAOP Annual Meeting registration;
. AOPA National Assembly registration;
. registration for annual meetings of state and regional AAOP
chapters and AOPA associations and societies; and
. registration for the ABC certification examinations.
For more information about the Dale Yasukawa Memorial Fund and its associated scholarship program, and/or to make a donation, please
contact:
Orthotic & Prosthetic Assistance Fund, Inc. (OPAF)
1666 K Street NW, Suite 440
Washington, DC 20006
Tel (202) 223-2878
Email [email protected]
—
OPAF is a 501(c)(3) public charity, the official philanthropy of the U.S. orthotics and prosthetics community, established in 1995 by the Orthotic and Prosthetic National Office. Dedicated initially to providing financial and in-kind support to the 1996 Paralympics, OPAF now generates its own initiatives through partnerships with individuals, organizations and institutions engaged in raising public awareness of disability and improving the quality of rehabilitation medicine, science and technology.
As a community-focused nonprofit organization, OPAF aims primarily to enable individuals with physical disabilities-especially those served by members of the orthotics and prosthetics community-to enjoy the rewards of personal achievement, physical fitness, and social interaction.
All contributions to OPAF are tax-deductible to the fullest extent of U.S. law, and annual sponsorships of OPAF, its programs, and its fundraisers are available to every individual, institution, and company inside and beyond the O&P community. For more information about sponsorship opportunities contact OPAF at 1666 K Street NW, Suite 440, Washington, DC 20006, Tel. (202) 223-2878, email [email protected], or visit http://www.opfund.org/support/index.html
For complete information about current OPAF programs, please visit www.opfund.org.
