Orthotics Prosthetics Canada Communications



SYNERGY eNewsletter
   (version française disponible)
June 2019
2019-2020 OPC Board of Directors
The results of the 2019 OPC Board elections were reported to the members in an email on May 16.  If you missed that email, you can find it here:  2019 OPC Board Election Results.

The new Board's term takes effect as of June 1.  The 2019-2020 OPC Board of Directors consists of the following individuals:

President
Jesse Cornell, CPO(c)
Brantford, ON
Vice President            
Ron Bartlett, RTPO(c)
Toronto, ON
Treasurer
TBA
 
Certified Prosthetists
Andrée-Anne Fortin, CP(c)
Montreal, PQ
           
Stan Wlodarczyk, CP(c)
Edmonton, AB
 
Scott Hedlund, CP(c)
Vancouver, BC
Certified Orthotists
Serap Kaga CO(c)
Vancouver, BC
 
Linda Laakso, CO(c), FCBC
Burlington, ON
 
Stephanie Hazelwood, CO(c)
Sydney, NS
Registered Prosthetic Technician      
Steve Wall, RTP(c)      
Burlington, ON
Registered Orthotic Technician
Aaron Tucker RTPO(c)
Vancouver, BC
Director At Large
Brad Mattear, USA
Waterloo, Iowa
Director At Large
Dr. Jacqueline Hebert, MD, FRCPC
Edmonton, AB

The first meeting of the new Board will be a face-to-face meeting in Toronto on June 24 in conjunction with RehabWeek.  The Treasurer position is appointed from elected Directors at its first meeting.
Appreciation for Departing OPC Directors 
The 2019 elections represent the first change in the President and Treasurer positions since OPC began in 2015.  Dan Mead, CPO(c) has been the only President of OPC prior to the 2019 elections.  He has not only been a key contributor to the amalgamation of CAPO and CBCPO, but has been a very effective leader in getting OPC to where it is today.  Enough cannot be said about the impact Dan has made on moving the profession forward in critical areas of need.  Mark Agro, CO(c), FCBC
has efficiently and effectively managed the Treasurer's role for OPC since the beginning as well.  Not only has he performed his Treasurer role admirably, but he has also provided excellent guidance on many of the issues OPC has faced. 
Steve Scott, CP(c), FCBC   has also been a Director on the OPC Board since the beginning.  As many already know, Steve has a long history of leadership in the profession and his contributions have been invaluable to the OPC Board over the past four plus years.   Jenna Holz, CO(c) has been and enthusiastic and tireless contributor to the OPC Board.  She brought forward the suggestion for the M entorship Program and worked diligently to make it happen.  She coordinated the first Women in O&P Summit in 2018.  Jenna has a great deal to contribute and has shown great leadership capacity. OPC looks forward to her continued involvement. 
  
We are beyond grateful for the time and expertise these individuals have contributed to the OPC Board of Directors.  Serving on the Board requires considerable commitment and OPC would not be viable without quality individuals willing to sacrifice.  

Thank you Dan, Mark, Steve and Jenna!

New CO(c) & CP(c) Educational Brochures Headed Your Way!


OPC has created two new brochures to provide a tool to help  O&P facilities, schools and professionals educate and build awareness with key stakeholders about the two professional disciplines.  Each orthotic and prosthetic facility across Canada will be receiving a supply of these brochures in the near future.  Only facilities that employ Certified Orthotists and/or Certified Prosthetists or O&P professionals in good standing are eligible to use the brochures.  

The brochures facilities will receive will have OPC branding on the back panel.  However, the brochures will be made available online for facilities and professionals to reorder with their own branding.  Facilities will have the ability to add their information on the back panel (where OPC branding currently is) and order a supply for their facilities to distribute to their patients and referral networks.  No other information on the brochure can be changed to ensure consistency across the country.  

More information will be provided soon about the online personalization and reordering process.  Costs for reordering personalized brochure will be the facility's responsibility.

Watch for your brochures in the mail soon and for information on how to reorder personalized brochures for your facility. 

Given the differences between O&P service delivery between Quebec and English speaking Canada, to date, the brochures have only been created in English. 

If you have any questions, or do not receive your brochures by the end of June, please contact  info@opcanada.ca. 

OPC Annual General Meeting - June 25 - 5:00 PM (EST)
The Orthotics Prosthetics Canada Annual General Meeting will take place on Tuesday, June 25, 2019 in Toronto, Ontario at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre as a hybrid meeting that can be attended in person or online.  The 2019 AGM is presented in coordination with the ISPO Canada AGM which will follow the OPC AGM and takes place during RehabWeek.
 
Details will be provided  to members  in the near future on how to register to attend and the details regarding attending via electronic means. 

Date: Tuesday, June 25, 2019
Time: 5:00 - 5:45 PM EST
Location:  Metro Toronto Convention Centre

The Agenda will include:
  • President's Report
  • Executive Director's Report
  • Treasurer's Report
  • Member Q&A
Please note: The AGM and future correspondence will be provided in English  
ISPO Canada and RehabWeek is 3 Weeks Away!
June 24-28 in Toronto
RehabWeek is only 3 weeks away!  The ISPO Canada Symposium will be held in conjunction with RehabWeek in Toronto along with six other conferences.  ISPO Canada has generously provided the ISPO member registration rate to all OPC members. Registrants will have access to all sessions offered during RehabWeek from any of the six conferences taking place.  

Save $200 USD with a RehabWeek Members Rate! 
You can save $200 USD using the members-only rate!   Members of ISPO Canada, PAC, OPC, AOPA, and any national ISPO society can register at the reduced members-only rate. Register at the link below!
War Amps Funding Available
OPC members should be aware that funding assistance to attend RehabWeek can be obtained through The War Amps. The War Amps Continuing Education Program offers funding to Canadian medical professionals and students who work with amputees, and who are wishing to pursue continuing education courses, conferences and training sessions with respect to all aspects of care for persons with amputation and limb loss. As such, War Amps invites all medical professionals, including Prosthetists, Orthotists and Prosthetic and Orthotic technicians, wishing to secure funding with the Continuing Education Program, to put forward an application for assessment. One important program guideline is that all applicants must receive pre-approval before the event. The information page about the program, including guidelines and application form can be found here: https://www.waramps.ca/ways-we-help/orthotics-and-prosthetics-professionals/

ISPO Canada 
Annual General Meeting
The Board of Directors of the Canadian National Society for Prosthetics and Orthotics (ISPO Canada) formally invite you to participate in our Annual General Meeting.

Date: Tuesday, June 25th, 2019
Location: Metro Toronto Convention Centre
Time: 17:45 EDT

The AGM is open to any current, former, or prospective members. Please note that only current members with renewed 2019 membership will be able to vote.

The AGM will be followed by a Social Event. Please see details below for registration for the Social.

ISPO Canada Social at RehabWeek!
Join us for an evening of wine and cheese with your peers and colleagues from ISPO Canada and other related organizations!

The social will begin at 18:30 EDT on Tuesday, June 25th, immediately following the ISPO Canada AGM. Get your Social Event ticket to confirm your spot using this link:  ISPO Canada Social Registration

Call for Nominations
Are you interested in contributing to the future of ISPO Canada? We are seeking nominations for the ISPO Canada Board of Directors.   The Board meets once a month for one hour, with some additional duties between meetings. We are currently seeking nominations for the position of Board Director.

If you are interested in contributing to the organization and further development of your leadership skills, or know someone who might be a great fit, please send a resume and covering letter expressing your interest to  info@ispocanada.ca. 

The Board will review all submissions and present a nominations slate to the membership at the Annual General Meeting in Toronto. While you do not have to be present at the AGM to stand for election, we would love to see you there!

Member News
This will be a recurring section in Synergy enewsletter to report on news about member professionals.  If you have something to share, about an update on your clinic, if you make the newspaper, launch a new website or anything else that may be of interest to   members , please send it to  info@opcanada.ca .

Members in the News  (click on the link) 
Members on the Move

Let us know if you have news to share.
OPC Exhibits at Pri-Med and CLHIA
May was a busy month for OPC and its volunteers as both the Canadian Life Health Insurance Association (CLHIA) and the Pri-Med Conferences took place at the same time in May.  

Pri-Med Conference
Fortunately, we had dedicated volunteers to manage the Pri-Med Conference where thousands o f physicians, nurses physiotherapists and other health professions gather for education.  OPC extends its appreciation to Jim Amesbury, Linda Laakso, Mark Agro, Evelyn Heung, Aditi Rejendra, Anne Whitney and Steve Wall for taking the time to represent the orthotic and prosthetic profession in front of this important audience.  
Jim Amesbury in OPC Booth at Pri-Med 2019. 

CLHIA Conference
David Broman  and Dana Cooper represented OPC at the CLHIA conference in Vancouver.  OPC sponsored a breakfast session and David Broman presented a session titled, "Considerations in Determining Orthotic and Prosthetic Treatments" and provided education about what aspects of the assessment process influence the treatment determinations.  We also were able to discuss our concerns and asks of the insurance industry.

Having attended Pri-Med for the past 2 years and CLHIA for even longer, it does seem that the consistency in attending these events and providing information is having an effect. 

However, our greatest opportunity for influence comes from getting on the agenda and presenting a session to help educate.  Members are encouraged to share their expertise when the opportunities arise (see below).
CALL FOR ABSTRACTS

Wounds Canada - Nov 3 - 6 - Niagara Falls, ON
Share your research with the wound community!

Wounds Canada is now accepting abstract submissions for poster presentations at our fall conference in Niagara Falls, November 3-6, 2019. The top posters will be selected for oral presentation at the conference. This is your opportunity to shine, and to share your innovations with your peers!

Abstracts may refer to any topic related to:
  • the promotion of skin health
  • the prevention, assessment, and management of various wound types
We invite authors to share information in a broad range of areas including research, education, health policy, and clinical practice.

Submission deadline: July 15, 2019 (EST).

For submission guidelines, click here. 
OPC Upcoming Events and Important Dates
  • May 31 - June 1    Pedorthics Best Practices - Proven Fundamentals  Spokane Falls Community College - Spokane, Washington - Approved for 12 MCEs
  • June 1 - 2    OPC Certification Practical Examinations - Toronto, ON
  • June 24   OPC Board of Directors Meeting - Toronto, ON 
  • June 24 - 28   RehabWeek featuring ISPO Canada - Toronto, ON
  • July 5   OPC Certification Written Examinations Application Deadline
  • August 2  OPC Registration Examination Fee Deadline
  • August 2  OPC Certification Written Examination Fee Deadline
  • August 21-23  Ossur Women's Leadership Conference - Chicago, Illinois - Approved for 15.25 MCEs 
  • September 20  OPC Board of Directors Meeting
  • September 20  OPC Registration Written Examinations
  • September 20   OPC Certification Written Examinations
  • September 25 - 28   AOPA National Assembly   San Diego, California
We will do our best to let you know when new information is posted but remember to check back on a regular basis to get the most out of the OPC website!
 
OPC Recognizes OrtoPed's Support of AFO Campaign
In April 2018, OPC launched the AFO campaign to raise awareness about the concerns about unqualified individuals treating patients with AFOs.  There were particular concerns raised by OPC regarding an AFO training course for Certified Pedorthists from the Pedorthic Association of Canada.  OPC raised concerns about how an AFO is outside the published scope of practice for Certified Pedorthists and that they are not adequately trained to render AFO treatments.  In response to those concerns from OPC, Ortoped pulled one of its representatives from speaking at the AFO training course.  Additionally, over the past year Ortoped has restricted its marketing of OTC AFOs to O&P facilities.  OPC would like to recognize Ortoped's support in acknowledging the concerns of Certified Orthotists regarding AFOs and Certified Pedorthists.

However, OPC also recognizes that the AFO matter as it pertains to OTC devices is not contained to Certified Pedorthists and dispensing of these products is being done by physiotherapists, chiropractors, podiatrists, pharmacies and other professions.  At the recent Pedorthic Association of Canada conference, approximately 40% of the exhibitors were marketing AFO devices to Pedorthists.  OPC will continue to communicate its concerns to other professions and the industry about treatments rendered out of scope and by inadequately trained individuals.  However, while we appreciate the support from Ortoped, we cannot expect their business to sit still while their competitors are active in  markets directly related to their core business.     

We recommend that O&P practitioners raise the concerns  with their industry representatives about marketing devices to inadequately trained professions that are operating outside of their scopes of practice.  AFOs are only the tip of the  iceberg.  With advanced technologies taking hold (3D scanning and printing, carving, etc.), professions that previously did not have the capacity to provide treatments in a number of areas, have the capabilities  these technologies provide within their reach.  Build relations with your representatives as we work towards working as partners with industry in framing what the future of O&P looks like.  
OPC National Office
202-300 March Road, Ottawa, Ontario - K2K 2E2  
Phone:  613-595-1919
Email:   info@opcanada.ca
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