Diversity, Inclusion & Equity in Practice
Friday, March 4, 8-9:30 a.m. ET
Session Leader: Amandi Rhett, CPO
Speakers: Paul Irving, Stacey Brown, Nicole Walker, MS, CPO, Jack Steele, CO
The Diversity and Inclusion Panel (DIAP) will host a session on Diversity, Inclusion & Equity in Practice, with a focus on workplace culture. Real examples of events in the O&P workplace will be presented that are counter to creating a positive, non-toxic work environment. Participants will actively explore ways to have healthy communication with colleagues and staff.
Identification and Management of Congenital and Acquired Congenital Upper-limb Deficiencies
Friday, March 4, 8-9:30 a.m. ET
Session Leader: Colleen Coulter, PT, DPT, PhD
Speakers: Allan Peljovich, MD, MPH; Richard Welling, Jr., MSPO, CPO; Brian Emling, CPO, LPO, MSPO
Surgical decisions and rehabilitation interventions of children diagnosed with upper-limb loss and differences depend on a number of factors that include the child’s age, etiology of the limb deficit or difference, structure and function of the limb, level(s) of the limb loss/differences, medical conditions, developmental and cognitive abilities, and beliefs and wishes of the child and family.
The objectives are that attendees understand the importance of multidisciplinary team in the treatment of children with limb differences, learn about the differences between congenital and acquired upper-limb deficiencies in children, understand the importance of the classification system specific to children diagnosed with upper-limb differences to determine appropriate surgical, prosthetic, orthotic, and therapy interventions, identify clinical presentation based on the child’s age, anatomical structures, active and passive range of motion, length, and developmental function, identify appropriate prosthetic, orthotic, and assistive devices based on the clinical presentation of the child and discuss age appropriate tools to measure successful outcomes. Presenters of this symposium represent Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta’s Limb Difference program.
Arch Mechanics and the Plantar Fascia
Friday, March 4, 8:30-9:30 a.m.
Speaker: Séamus Kennedy, BEng(Mech), CPed
At least six separate mechanisms maintain the arch of the human foot in stance and in gait. The session will examine the “twisted plate” model of the foot and how it helps reduce excessive strain on the plantar fascia and consider how these mechanisms work together to share load during ambulation and how they have been used successfully to inform orthotic design.
Pain: Understanding and Treatment
Friday, March 4, 9-9:30 a.m. ET
Session leader: John Brinkmann, CPO/LPO, FAAOP(D)
Speakers: Stephen Wegener, PhD; Samantha Stauffer, MSOP, CPO; Megan Sions, PT, DPT, PhD
This organized session will address the management of the patient pain experience in O&P. Topics will include:
- Common presentations of pain
- Distinguishing between acute and chronic pain
- Biopsychosocial model for understanding the pain experience
- The evolving role of healthcare providers regarding pain
- Multi-modal management of pain
- Specific communication skills to promote patient engagement & effective referrals
- Pain assessment
The Impact of Fiber Volume Ratio on Composite Performance
Friday, March 4, 10:15-11:00 a.m. ET
Presenter: Gary G. Bedard, CO, FAAOP
In this presentation, Bedard will discuss the basics of fiber volume for both thermoset and thermoplastic matrix fiber reinforced composites. He was the founding chair of the Academy Fabrication Sciences Society. Composite materials are comprised of a combination of materials that may include reinforcement fibers and a thermoset plastic or thermoplastic matrix. The purpose of the matrix is to encapsulate and transfer forces to the reinforcement fibers. Fiber volume is the amount of fiber in the entire volume of the fiber reinforced composite.
To view the complete schedule, visit the Academy’s website.
