The American Board December2009 The American...

ABC Fulfills Commitment as CMSMandatory Accreditation Deadline Passes

The ABC Facility Accreditation department tested itsmettle with an unprecedented influx of applications andsurveys due to the mandatory accreditation imposed bythe Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) forpost-mastectomy, pedorthic and durable medical equipment.This was an enormous undertaking but with the help of allABC staff members, each facility that applied by thedeadline received a decision by October 1.

From December 2008 to September 2009 ABC processed2,676 applications and surveyed 2,713 facilities in order toget accreditation decisions out to all of the facilities whoapplied by the January 31 application deadline. Thisrepresents an average of over 300 facilities per month.

“We met the accreditation deadline head on,” saidCatherine Carter, ABC’s Executive Director. “This deadlinetested our surveyors, staff and volunteers, but we wereoverwhelmingly successful in this undertaking.”

In December 2007 CMS announced that post-mastectomyand durable medical equipment patient care facilities wereon Medicare's list requiring mandatory accreditation.Medicare's list requiring mandatory accreditation. Pedorthicfacilities were added to the list in December 2008. The CMSmandatory accreditation deadline for all post-mastectomy,durable medical equipment and pedorthic facilities wasSeptember 30, 2009. Any of these facilities providing patientcare services must have been accredited by this date inorder to continue to bill Medicare.

As CMS contemplates announcing another group offacilities requiring mandatory accreditation, the ABC staffis well prepared to once again meet the challenge. !

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Donald Deane Doty, Jr., CPO, assumed the role ofPresident of the ABC Board of Directors on December 1.

As part of ABC’s annual leadership transition, Doty takesover the presidency from Robert S. Lin, CPO, FAAOP ofWethersfield, Ct. Lin continues to serve ABC as immediatepast president of the board.

“I have complete confidence that with Cathy Carter atthe helm and Deane Doty assuming the presidency, ourtradition of excellence will continue,” said Lin. “Deane bringsa wealth of exam, committee and board experience in therole and his commitment to the ABC mission is evidenced

by over 20 years of dedicated service.”Doty joined the board of directors in 2005 and since has played a role in creating

many of ABC’s current policies. He brings with him almost 30 years experience workingin the orthotics and prosthetics profession.

“Mr. Doty has been involved in ABC activities for a number of years, and hasprovided numerous hours of volunteer time to our programs and board of directors.I look forward to working with Deane as he directs the board agenda for the upcomingyear,” said Catherine Carter, ABC’s Executive Director.

Doty first learned about the O&P profession while in college. Following a baseballrelated knee injury, a visit to an O&P facility for an orthosis sparked his interest in theprofession. Finding the work interesting, Doty began working for his brother-in-law’sfacility. Soon after, he made the decision to pursue a career in O&P.

“I liked the idea of working in a family business involved in taking care of people,using a combination of artistic skills, technical science and business,” Doty said.

Doty received his Bachelor’s degree from Loma Linda University and attendedNorthwestern University for his orthotics and prosthetics training. He obtained hisABC CPO certification in 1985.

While going through the exam process for his credentials, Doty was impressed bythe dedication of the volunteers. Feeling as though he also wanted to give back to theprofession, he began volunteering as an orthotic examiner in 1988. “As soon as I becameeligible to be an examiner I applied for the opportunity, and professionally it was thebest move I ever made. The quality of the people working with ABC was outstandingand working with them was inspiring,” he said.

Over the next year Doty plans to continue to protect the integrity of the ABC brandand the interests of the individuals who have earned ABC credentials. He will alsofocus on improving the credentialing and accreditation programs while looking fornew opportunities to expand ABC’s influence within the healthcare industry.

Doty continued on back page...

ABC Calendar of Events

December 200911th-12th: Orthotic Practitioner ClinicalPatient Management (CPM) Exam

January 20108th-9th: Prosthetic Practitioner ClinicalPatient Management (CPM) Exam

February 201024th-27th: American Academy ofOrthotists and Prosthetists AnnualMeeting, Chicago, IL

March 20101st: Certification Exam ApplicationDeadline for May Exam

May 201010th-15th: Certification Written Exam

June 20101st: Certification Exam ApplicationDeadline for August Exam

4th-5th: Prosthetic Clinical PatientManagement (CPM) Exam

11th-12th: Orthotic Clinical PatientManagement (CPM) Exam

August 20102nd-7th: Certification Written Exam

September 20101st: Certification Exam ApplicationDeadline for November Exam

For further information on these events,please visit www.abcop.orgor contact us at 703-836-7114.AB

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The American Boardfor Certificationin Orthotics, Prosthetics & Pedorthics, Inc.330 John Carlyle Street, Suite 210, Alexandria, VA 22314

Cathy CarterExecutive [email protected]

Heather HarrisDirector of Continuing [email protected]

Scott WilliamsonDirector of Facility [email protected]

Debbie AyresDirector, Public Relations and [email protected]

Steve Fletcher, CPODirector, Clinical [email protected]

Samlane KetevongManager, Credentialing [email protected]

Roxanne Bobb-SempleDatabase [email protected]

Tammi RichardsManager, Facility [email protected]

Christine MichaelFacility Accreditation [email protected]

Carolyn WrightFacilities Accreditation [email protected]

May PhoummithoneCertification Program [email protected].

Jamie MoranCertification Program [email protected]

Brooke SmithContinuing Education [email protected]

Katherine SchaeferCommunications/PR [email protected]

Joan DallasReceptionist/Administrative [email protected]

Julie McMahonOffice [email protected]

The Strength & Stability of ABC...Over 60 Years of Setting the Standard for O&P.

For further information,

please visit www.abcop.orgor contact us at 703-836-7114.®

Donald Deane Doty, Jr., CPO Named ABC President

Doty continued from page 1“I look forward to the challenge of implementing our plans and working towards

accomplishing our past, present and future goals. I am grateful for the opportunity towork closely with the very talented staff at ABC, led by Cathy Carter,” Doty said.

Doty and his wife, Jeanine Doty, CPO, CFo, RN, currently work for their sons’ABC accredited facility, Active Life, Inc. Spencer Doty, CPO, MBA, and Ryder Doty,CFo, purchased the facility from the Doty’s in 2004. Deane Doty now serves as theClinical Specialist for the Albuquerque, N.M. facility. !

ABC Reaches Out to O, P & P SchoolsABC has made it a priority to reach out to National Commission on Orthotic and

Prosthetic Education (NCOPE) approved practitioner, pedorthic, fitter and technicianschools. Discipline specific candidate guides, informational flyers and ABC brandedmaterials are being sent to the schools and ABC staff and volunteer speakers are travelingto as many of the schools as feasible to talk to the students about ABC certification. ABCis also developing a DVD for those schools that can’t physically be visited as part of thisoutreach initiative.

Through this initiative, ABC continues its commitment to exposing potential certifees tothe benefits of choosing the ABC certification while they are still in the education phase oftheir chosen career path. ABC plans to continue the school outreach program indefinitelywith the goal of increasing the number of students who choose ABC for their credentialingboard and to support the schools that are so vital to the future of this profession. !

The American Boardfor Certificationin Orthotics, Prosthetics and Pedorthics, Inc.

M A R K O F M E R I T N E W S L E T T E RA B C

December 2009

In September, ABC awarded the William D. Beiswenger Volunteer Award to Frank E. Friddle, Jr., CO,FAAOP. Friddle was chosen by the board of directors to receive the Beiswenger Award for his extraordinaryvolunteer work supporting ABC’s mission and for embodying the spirit of the award. Friddle received theaward at the American Orthotics and Prosthetics Association (AOPA) National Assembly in Seattle, Wash. onSeptember 21, 2009.

The William D. Beiswenger Volunteer Award was established in 2000 to honor William Beiswenger, CPO,FAAOP, of Colorado Springs, Colo., for his outstanding record of volunteerism and his commitment to theABC mission. The award was created to recognize volunteers who demonstrate dedicated service to ABC andthe promotion of its mission to provide the highest standards of excellence in patient care.

“Frank has given countless hours of assistance to the exam process, served in leadership roles and takentime away from his personal, corporate and financial objectives for the good of ABC. He truly epitomizes thespirit of the Beiswenger Volunteer Award and his continued work with NCOPE speaks to his dedication to theO&P profession,” said Robert Lin CPO, FAAOP, President of ABC’s Board of Directors.

Friddle began his service to ABC in 1983 as an examiner for the technician and CPM examinations. Hewas chosen to serve on the ABC board of directors in 1999 and served for eight years including a term aspresident in 2004. Currently, Friddle serves as an Orthotic Certification Examiner, the Candidate Liaison on theOrthotic Exam Committee and the Logistical Coordinator for the Technician and CPM examinations.

In 2009, Friddle joined the board of directors for the National Committee on Orthotic and ProstheticEducation (NCOPE). He also served three terms as the president of the South Carolina Society of Orthotistsand Prosthetists and was President of an AOPA region in the late 1980s and early 1990s.

“I’m extremely humbled to be associated with this award. I am personally close to the previous recipientsof this award and to be considered in same realm of volunteerism as them is very humbling,” said Friddle.“I am blessed to have a family that allows me to volunteer my time since the commitment takes me awayfrom them a good deal of the time. I’m a third generation practitioner and this profession has been very goodto my family, so the more I can give back the better I feel.”

The Beiswenger award has only been given out three times since its inception. Previous recipientsinclude Steven R. Whiteside, CO, FAAOP (2002) and William Teague, CP (2005). !

ABC Honors Frank E. Friddle, Jr., CO, FAAOPwith the William D. Beiswenger Volunteer Award

ABC joins other industry leaders as a corporate sponsor for the 2010 Amputee Coalition of America’s PaddyRossbach Youth Camp. ABC and its board of directors wanted to give back to the community that its certifiedpractitioners serve and felt that sponsorship of this important program offered an excellent opportunity to dojust that.

The five-day camp provides youth with limb loss or limb difference the opportunity to learn about leader-ship development, nutrition and physical fitness at no cost. The camp also provides kids with a chance todiscover new sports and activities, gain higher self-esteem and start a support group. ACA started the camp in2000 and it was created to provide programming for its youth members. ABC is proud to be a sponsor of thisactivity and excited about the opportunity to help more children participate in this excellent program. To learnmore about the ACA’s Paddy Rossbach Youth Camp see www.amputee coalition.org/youth_camp.html. !

5

ABC and PFA Collaborateon Pedorthic Career Brochure

We did it together…ABC and thePedorthic Footwear Association (PFA)have teamed up on a joint project to boost

interest in pedorthics as a career. What is a Pedorthist andHow Can I Become One? provides information on thepedorthist’s role in health care, how they can be part of thehealth care team, where they practice and information oneducation and training. The brochure was introduced tothe profession at the PFA Symposium in November. Acopy is also available at www.abcop.org.

“This was a great project for ABC and PFA to collabo-rate on,” said Catherine Carter, ABC's Executive Director.“Career awareness is crucial to the future of any professionand we think this information will be very helpful to thoseinterested in a career in pedorthics.”

The brochure will be distributed by PFA to high schooland college students interested in health care careers andwill be sent by ABC to all newly certified therapeutic shoefitters as an opportunity for them to consider pedorthics asa future career path.

“We both recognized that there was a huge need outthere to educate the public of the pedorthic profession andwe were looking for a way to entice people to get into theprofession,” said Brian Lagana, PFA’s Executive Director.

ABC is very excited about working with PFA on thisproject and look forward to working together in the futureto help promote the pedorthic profession. !

ABC Participates atPFA Symposium and Exhibition

ABC participated in the Pedorthic Footwear Associa-tion’s 2009 Symposium and Exhibition at the GaylordTexan Resort and Conference Center in Grapevine, Tex.from November 19-21. This conference is the largest singleevent dedicated strictly to the practice of pedorthics.

During the symposium, ABC had a booth in theexhibit hall which gave them the opportunity to introducethe new What is a Pedorthist? brochure along with anew Pedorthic Exam Candidate Self Assessment Checklist.This checklist was created to give applicants applying forABC certification guidelines for the areas that they shouldbe focusing on and the amount of time they should bespending in each area while earning their 1,000 hours ofpedorthic experience. A copy of the checklist is availableat www.abcop.org.

On November 20, Scott Williamson, ABC’sDirector of Facility Accreditation, and chief surveyorTed Markgren, CO, took part in a panel discussion onfacility accreditation. The panel reviewed the currentregulatory environment related to facility accreditationand provided updates to attendees about new informationregarding facility accreditation. !

4

ABC Registry Goes GreenABC has converted its annual Registry and Reference Guide to an easy to navigate online Directory of all of its accredited

facilities and certified individuals.“The Registry has continued to grow in size over the years due to ABC’s growth, topping out this year at 755 pages. We

felt it was important to both meet the needs of the Registry user for an up-to-date directory and be more environmentallyconscientious at the same time,” said Catherine Carter, ABC’s Executive Director. “The best way to do that was to gocompletely ‘green’ and stop printing the hard copy entirely.”

ABC will no longer publish the Registry and Reference Guide and encourages individuals and facilities to use the onlineDirectory for the most up-to-date information available. By accessing the ABC website at www.abcop.org, certified individualsare able to login and edit their contact information, including their address, telephone number and email. Any changes to an indi-vidual’s contact information will be posted in the online Directory within 24 hours, providing users with an up-to-date Directory.

Along with the online Directory, certified individuals will have the opportunity to pay annual fees and track theircontinuing education credits using the ABC website. !

ABC Publishes 2009 Practice Analysisof Orthotic and Prosthetic Technicians

Over nine months in 2009, ABC’s Practice Analysis TaskForce (PATF) and Executive Director, Catherine Carter,worked with the Professional Examination Service (PES) tocreate and implement a practice analysis of orthotic and pros-thetic technicians. The assessment included a validation studywhich was used to identify priorities unique to thedelivery of prosthetic and orthotic care. The goal of thepractice analysis was to find current trends in the provisionof prosthetic and orthotic services by technicians.

“We wanted to get an idea of what the modern technicianlooks like in order to meet the ever changing needs of theprofession,” said Anthony Wickman, RTPO, Chair of thePATF. “We need to know what to expect of the technicianand see that they are receiving the best education out there.”

In 1999 ABC preformed its first technician practiceanalysis and validation study and in 2009 the technicianswere resurveyed to identify changes related to the deliveryof services and today’s technology. The overall return ratewas 34.5%, which is a very positive return rate for this typeof survey.

“The technicians who participated in the survey haveprovided a great service to their profession,” said Carter.“Only those working within the profession can give us acomprehensive and contemporary look into their specificknowledge and skill sets.”

ABC will use the results of the practice analysis survey toassure that its technician credentialing exams are continuallyrelevant for orthotic and prosthetic technicians entering theprofession. The results will also be used to identify specifictopics for in-service and/or continuing education programs aswell as provide guidance for education providers in regard tocurriculum review and/or program self-assessment.

“As a result of the survey we’ll be able to provide theNational Commission on Orthotics and Prosthetics Education(NCOPE) and the schools with pertinent information on whattechnician students need to learn and what information todisseminate,” said Wickman.

The ABC PATF included: Wickman; William Beiswenger,CPO, FAAOP; ABC's Director of Clinical Resources, StephenB. Fletcher, CPO; Chris Harrigan, RTP; Timothy E. Miller,CPO; and Steven Whiteside, CO, FAAOP.

A copy of the PracticeAnalysis of Orthotic and ProstheticTechnicians is available at www.abcop.org. !

ABC exhibited and presented a facility accreditation work-shop at the American Orthotics and Prosthetics Association(AOPA) National Assembly in Seattle, Wash. from September20-23 at the Washington State Convention and Trade Center.

The conference allowed ABC to debut its new materials,including the Practitioner, Pedorthist and Fitter Book of Rulesand Candidate Guides, exam candidate applications, Accredita-tion Frequently Asked Questions brochure and the FacilityAccreditation Survey Checklists. While exhibiting, ABC gaveaway free ABC branded goniometers to University of Washing-ton orthotic and prosthetic students who attended the event.

During the Assembly, ABC’s Director of FacilityAccreditation, Scott Williamson, along with Dave Edwards,CPO, FAAOP, an ABC surveyor, sat down with 13 facilityowners for hour long one-on-one consultations aboutaccreditation. Each owner was able to ask questions aboutaccreditation and receive the help they needed to start theprocess or to help prepare for their onsite inspection.

Williamson also presented a seminar on accreditation andhow facilities can comply with the standards. He spoke indetail about the real meaning of the orthotic and prostheticstandards and gave examples of how to apply theaccreditation standards to everyday practices. !

ABC Makes a Splashat AOPA NationalAssembly

ABC Welcomes Three New Board Members; Retires ThreeABC welcomes three new members to its board of

directors following the retirement of three members onNovember 30th. Joining the board on December 1st areCurt A. Bertram, CO, Charles H. Dankmeyer, Jr., CPO andRoy B. Davis, III, Ph.D., PE as the new public member.At the board meeting in Seattle, Wash. on September 19th,the board confirmed the appointment of the new directorsand bid farewell to Michael Allen, CPO, FAAOP, MichaelBrncick, CPO and Kristi Wilson-Hill, Ph.D.

Curt A. Bertram, CO of Milwaukee, Wis., hasbeen volunteering with ABC as both anorthotics examiner and as a member of theexam team for many years, and is currentlythe Area Practice Manager for Hanger

Orthotics and Prosthetic, Inc., in Wisconsin. Having playeda large role in the examination process, Bertram is excitedabout the future of ABC and specifically the upcomingrequirements surrounding the Master’s program requirementfor practitioners.

“I’m looking forward to the challenges that lie aheadof us including modifying the examination process toaccommodate testing procedures for the new Master’sprogram students,” he said.

Charles H. Dankmeyer, Jr., CPO of LithicumHeights, Md., comes to the board withmore than 40 years of experience in theO&P profession and currently ownsDankmeyer, Inc., which includes several

facilities throughout the state of Maryland. He has alwaysbeen a big supporter of ABC, including serving as ABC’sPresident in 1977. After serving on the board, Dankmeyercontinued his involvement with ABC by serving on theCharacter and Fitness and the Facility AccreditationCommittees.

Roy B. Davis, III, Ph.D., P.E. has been selectedby the board of directors as a new public mem-ber of the board. Davis has spent his careerresearching and teaching in the engineeringfield and currently serves as the Director,

Motion Analysis Laboratory for Shriners Hospitals for Childrenin Greenville, S.C. The public members of the board are fullvoting members and represent the interest of consumers, pa-tients and other public groups having an interest in ABC affairs.As part of the public member’s role, Davis will speak at or-thotic and prosthetic events, participate in amputee educationalconferences and serve as the contact for the general public.

The three board retirees have spent years serving ABCand are leaving having made numerous contributions tothe organization.

During Michael Allen’s term, he served as both adirector and in 2008 he served as president. He began hisservice with the board in 1999 and has never shied awayfrom his passion of orthotics and prosthetics. “Mike Allenis one of the most dedicated O&P professionals I haveever met. He brought an unparalleled clarity of thought,attention to detail and impassioned style of communication

to ABC board activities,” said ABC’s President, Robert Lin,CPO, FAAOP.

The highlight of Allen’s tenure with the board ofdirectors was the creation of the Director of ClinicalResources position on the ABC staff. The board approvedthe new position to be filled by a credentialed individualwho would serve as a resource to the staff and provideinsight from an orthotic and prosthetic standpoint.“Although ABC has a tremendously dedicated andknowledgeable staff, the missing link, in my mind, wasan individual who could offer the clinical knowledgeand insight on a daily basis and ‘real-world’ experiencewhen developing programmatic changes and refinement,”Allen said.

Michael Brncick joined ABC’s board of directorsin 2005 and brought his academic perspective to theboard room. He is currently the department head at theNorthwestern University Prosthetic-Orthotic Center inChicago as well as the program coordinator for theorthotics and prosthetics technology program at JolietJunior College. “Mike Brncick is a true academician andaccomplished educator. His visionary perspective helpedABC see the long term challenges that await us,” said Lin.

One of Brncick’s most memorable moments on the ABCboard was the first time he met with Executive DirectorCarter and the staff. “I was overwhelmed by the numberof committees, subcommittees and other areas that ABCwas involved in,” Brncick said. “It was a very eye openingexperience and I realized how busy I was going to be as amember of the board.”

As one of two public members of the ABC board ofdirectors, Kristi Wilson-Hill worked to ensure that theconsumer had a voice. “Kristi represented the viewpointsand interests of the public we serve with great aplomb,” saidLin. “Her analytical ability and communication style helpedmany board discussions come to consensus and closure.”

Wilson Hill joined the ABC board in 2005 and hasalways been an advocate for orthotic and prosthetic care.Wilson-Hill has dedicated herself to mentoring amputees,advocating for community-based education and promotingawareness programs.

With their continued commitment, enthusiasm anddedication to the profession, Allen, Brncick and Wilson-Hillencompass everything ABC looks for in volunteers. ABCwould like to extend its sincere thanks to each of theseboard members for their sacrifice of time and energy.“ABC will forever be in debt to you for your tirelessefforts. It’s been an honor to serve on the board withsuch distinguished individuals,” Lin added. !

“ABC is very fortunate to have dedicated andhardworking volunteers such as the three membersleaving the board this year. I am grateful for theleadership and guidance they have providedthroughout their board tenure.”

Catherine Carter, ABC’s Executive Director2

ABC Becomes Corporate Sponsorof ACA Paddy Rossbach Youth Camp







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For further information on these events,please visit www.abcop.orgor contact us at 703-836-7114.A

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The American Boardfor Certificationin Orthotics, Prosthetics & Pedorthics, Inc.330 John Carlyle Street, Suite 210, Alexandria, VA 22314





























December 2009









ABC joins other industry leaders as a corporate sponsor for the 2010 Amputee Coalition of America’s PaddyRossbach Youth Camp. ABC and its board of directors wanted to give back to the community that its certifiedpractitioners serve and felt that sponsorship of this important program offered an excellent opportunity to dojust that.

The five-day camp provides youth with limb loss or limb difference the opportunity to learn about leader-ship development, nutrition and physical fitness at no cost. The camp also provides kids with a chance todiscover new sports and activities, gain higher self-esteem and start a support group. ACA started the camp in2000 and it was created to provide programming for its youth members. ABC is proud to be a sponsor of thisactivity and excited about the opportunity to help more children participate in this excellent program. To learnmore about the ACA’s Paddy Rossbach Youth Camp see www.amputee coalition.org/youth_camp.html. !

5

ABC and PFA Collaborateon Pedorthic Career Brochure

We did it together…ABC and thePedorthic Footwear Association (PFA)have teamed up on a joint project to boost

interest in pedorthics as a career. What is a Pedorthist andHow Can I Become One? provides information on thepedorthist’s role in health care, how they can be part of thehealth care team, where they practice and information oneducation and training. The brochure was introduced tothe profession at the PFA Symposium in November. Acopy is also available at www.abcop.org.

“This was a great project for ABC and PFA to collabo-rate on,” said Catherine Carter, ABC's Executive Director.“Career awareness is crucial to the future of any professionand we think this information will be very helpful to thoseinterested in a career in pedorthics.”

The brochure will be distributed by PFA to high schooland college students interested in health care careers andwill be sent by ABC to all newly certified therapeutic shoefitters as an opportunity for them to consider pedorthics asa future career path.

“We both recognized that there was a huge need outthere to educate the public of the pedorthic profession andwe were looking for a way to entice people to get into theprofession,” said Brian Lagana, PFA’s Executive Director.

ABC is very excited about working with PFA on thisproject and look forward to working together in the futureto help promote the pedorthic profession. !

ABC Participates atPFA Symposium and Exhibition

ABC participated in the Pedorthic Footwear Associa-tion’s 2009 Symposium and Exhibition at the GaylordTexan Resort and Conference Center in Grapevine, Tex.from November 19-21. This conference is the largest singleevent dedicated strictly to the practice of pedorthics.

During the symposium, ABC had a booth in theexhibit hall which gave them the opportunity to introducethe new What is a Pedorthist? brochure along with anew Pedorthic Exam Candidate Self Assessment Checklist.This checklist was created to give applicants applying forABC certification guidelines for the areas that they shouldbe focusing on and the amount of time they should bespending in each area while earning their 1,000 hours ofpedorthic experience. A copy of the checklist is availableat www.abcop.org.

On November 20, Scott Williamson, ABC’sDirector of Facility Accreditation, and chief surveyorTed Markgren, CO, took part in a panel discussion onfacility accreditation. The panel reviewed the currentregulatory environment related to facility accreditationand provided updates to attendees about new informationregarding facility accreditation. !

4

ABC Registry Goes GreenABC has converted its annual Registry and Reference Guide to an easy to navigate online Directory of all of its accredited

facilities and certified individuals.“The Registry has continued to grow in size over the years due to ABC’s growth, topping out this year at 755 pages. We

felt it was important to both meet the needs of the Registry user for an up-to-date directory and be more environmentallyconscientious at the same time,” said Catherine Carter, ABC’s Executive Director. “The best way to do that was to gocompletely ‘green’ and stop printing the hard copy entirely.”

ABC will no longer publish the Registry and Reference Guide and encourages individuals and facilities to use the onlineDirectory for the most up-to-date information available. By accessing the ABC website at www.abcop.org, certified individualsare able to login and edit their contact information, including their address, telephone number and email. Any changes to an indi-vidual’s contact information will be posted in the online Directory within 24 hours, providing users with an up-to-date Directory.

Along with the online Directory, certified individuals will have the opportunity to pay annual fees and track theircontinuing education credits using the ABC website. !

ABC Publishes 2009 Practice Analysisof Orthotic and Prosthetic Technicians

Over nine months in 2009, ABC’s Practice Analysis TaskForce (PATF) and Executive Director, Catherine Carter,worked with the Professional Examination Service (PES) tocreate and implement a practice analysis of orthotic and pros-thetic technicians. The assessment included a validation studywhich was used to identify priorities unique to thedelivery of prosthetic and orthotic care. The goal of thepractice analysis was to find current trends in the provisionof prosthetic and orthotic services by technicians.

“We wanted to get an idea of what the modern technicianlooks like in order to meet the ever changing needs of theprofession,” said Anthony Wickman, RTPO, Chair of thePATF. “We need to know what to expect of the technicianand see that they are receiving the best education out there.”

In 1999 ABC preformed its first technician practiceanalysis and validation study and in 2009 the technicianswere resurveyed to identify changes related to the deliveryof services and today’s technology. The overall return ratewas 34.5%, which is a very positive return rate for this typeof survey.

“The technicians who participated in the survey haveprovided a great service to their profession,” said Carter.“Only those working within the profession can give us acomprehensive and contemporary look into their specificknowledge and skill sets.”

ABC will use the results of the practice analysis survey toassure that its technician credentialing exams are continuallyrelevant for orthotic and prosthetic technicians entering theprofession. The results will also be used to identify specifictopics for in-service and/or continuing education programs aswell as provide guidance for education providers in regard tocurriculum review and/or program self-assessment.

“As a result of the survey we’ll be able to provide theNational Commission on Orthotics and Prosthetics Education(NCOPE) and the schools with pertinent information on whattechnician students need to learn and what information todisseminate,” said Wickman.

The ABC PATF included: Wickman; William Beiswenger,CPO, FAAOP; ABC's Director of Clinical Resources, StephenB. Fletcher, CPO; Chris Harrigan, RTP; Timothy E. Miller,CPO; and Steven Whiteside, CO, FAAOP.

A copy of the PracticeAnalysis of Orthotic and ProstheticTechnicians is available at www.abcop.org. !

ABC exhibited and presented a facility accreditation work-shop at the American Orthotics and Prosthetics Association(AOPA) National Assembly in Seattle, Wash. from September20-23 at the Washington State Convention and Trade Center.

The conference allowed ABC to debut its new materials,including the Practitioner, Pedorthist and Fitter Book of Rulesand Candidate Guides, exam candidate applications, Accredita-tion Frequently Asked Questions brochure and the FacilityAccreditation Survey Checklists. While exhibiting, ABC gaveaway free ABC branded goniometers to University of Washing-ton orthotic and prosthetic students who attended the event.

During the Assembly, ABC’s Director of FacilityAccreditation, Scott Williamson, along with Dave Edwards,CPO, FAAOP, an ABC surveyor, sat down with 13 facilityowners for hour long one-on-one consultations aboutaccreditation. Each owner was able to ask questions aboutaccreditation and receive the help they needed to start theprocess or to help prepare for their onsite inspection.

Williamson also presented a seminar on accreditation andhow facilities can comply with the standards. He spoke indetail about the real meaning of the orthotic and prostheticstandards and gave examples of how to apply theaccreditation standards to everyday practices. !

ABC Makes a Splashat AOPA NationalAssembly

ABC Welcomes Three New Board Members; Retires ThreeABC welcomes three new members to its board of

directors following the retirement of three members onNovember 30th. Joining the board on December 1st areCurt A. Bertram, CO, Charles H. Dankmeyer, Jr., CPO andRoy B. Davis, III, Ph.D., PE as the new public member.At the board meeting in Seattle, Wash. on September 19th,the board confirmed the appointment of the new directorsand bid farewell to Michael Allen, CPO, FAAOP, MichaelBrncick, CPO and Kristi Wilson-Hill, Ph.D.

Curt A. Bertram, CO of Milwaukee, Wis., hasbeen volunteering with ABC as both anorthotics examiner and as a member of theexam team for many years, and is currentlythe Area Practice Manager for Hanger

Orthotics and Prosthetic, Inc., in Wisconsin. Having playeda large role in the examination process, Bertram is excitedabout the future of ABC and specifically the upcomingrequirements surrounding the Master’s program requirementfor practitioners.

“I’m looking forward to the challenges that lie aheadof us including modifying the examination process toaccommodate testing procedures for the new Master’sprogram students,” he said.

Charles H. Dankmeyer, Jr., CPO of LithicumHeights, Md., comes to the board withmore than 40 years of experience in theO&P profession and currently ownsDankmeyer, Inc., which includes several

facilities throughout the state of Maryland. He has alwaysbeen a big supporter of ABC, including serving as ABC’sPresident in 1977. After serving on the board, Dankmeyercontinued his involvement with ABC by serving on theCharacter and Fitness and the Facility AccreditationCommittees.

Roy B. Davis, III, Ph.D., P.E. has been selectedby the board of directors as a new public mem-ber of the board. Davis has spent his careerresearching and teaching in the engineeringfield and currently serves as the Director,

Motion Analysis Laboratory for Shriners Hospitals for Childrenin Greenville, S.C. The public members of the board are fullvoting members and represent the interest of consumers, pa-tients and other public groups having an interest in ABC affairs.As part of the public member’s role, Davis will speak at or-thotic and prosthetic events, participate in amputee educationalconferences and serve as the contact for the general public.

The three board retirees have spent years serving ABCand are leaving having made numerous contributions tothe organization.

During Michael Allen’s term, he served as both adirector and in 2008 he served as president. He began hisservice with the board in 1999 and has never shied awayfrom his passion of orthotics and prosthetics. “Mike Allenis one of the most dedicated O&P professionals I haveever met. He brought an unparalleled clarity of thought,attention to detail and impassioned style of communication

to ABC board activities,” said ABC’s President, Robert Lin,CPO, FAAOP.

The highlight of Allen’s tenure with the board ofdirectors was the creation of the Director of ClinicalResources position on the ABC staff. The board approvedthe new position to be filled by a credentialed individualwho would serve as a resource to the staff and provideinsight from an orthotic and prosthetic standpoint.“Although ABC has a tremendously dedicated andknowledgeable staff, the missing link, in my mind, wasan individual who could offer the clinical knowledgeand insight on a daily basis and ‘real-world’ experiencewhen developing programmatic changes and refinement,”Allen said.

Michael Brncick joined ABC’s board of directorsin 2005 and brought his academic perspective to theboard room. He is currently the department head at theNorthwestern University Prosthetic-Orthotic Center inChicago as well as the program coordinator for theorthotics and prosthetics technology program at JolietJunior College. “Mike Brncick is a true academician andaccomplished educator. His visionary perspective helpedABC see the long term challenges that await us,” said Lin.

One of Brncick’s most memorable moments on the ABCboard was the first time he met with Executive DirectorCarter and the staff. “I was overwhelmed by the numberof committees, subcommittees and other areas that ABCwas involved in,” Brncick said. “It was a very eye openingexperience and I realized how busy I was going to be as amember of the board.”

As one of two public members of the ABC board ofdirectors, Kristi Wilson-Hill worked to ensure that theconsumer had a voice. “Kristi represented the viewpointsand interests of the public we serve with great aplomb,” saidLin. “Her analytical ability and communication style helpedmany board discussions come to consensus and closure.”

Wilson Hill joined the ABC board in 2005 and hasalways been an advocate for orthotic and prosthetic care.Wilson-Hill has dedicated herself to mentoring amputees,advocating for community-based education and promotingawareness programs.

With their continued commitment, enthusiasm anddedication to the profession, Allen, Brncick and Wilson-Hillencompass everything ABC looks for in volunteers. ABCwould like to extend its sincere thanks to each of theseboard members for their sacrifice of time and energy.“ABC will forever be in debt to you for your tirelessefforts. It’s been an honor to serve on the board withsuch distinguished individuals,” Lin added. !

“ABC is very fortunate to have dedicated andhardworking volunteers such as the three membersleaving the board this year. I am grateful for theleadership and guidance they have providedthroughout their board tenure.”

Catherine Carter, ABC’s Executive Director2

ABC Becomes Corporate Sponsorof ACA Paddy Rossbach Youth Camp







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For further information on these events,please visit www.abcop.orgor contact us at 703-836-7114.A

BC

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FThe American Boardfor Certificationin Orthotics, Prosthetics & Pedorthics, Inc.330 John Carlyle Street, Suite 210, Alexandria, VA 22314





























December 2009









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