American Academy of Orthotists and Prosthetists, Inc.
(The following is a brief description of the newly-formed organization of Board-Certified Orthotists and Prosthetists. Anyone desiring additional information should contact Mr. Daniel G. Rowe, C.P.O., 2032 Marshall Ave., St. Paul, Minn. 55104)
Until the formation of the American Academy of Orthotists and Prosthetists, no vehicle existed that gave the individual Certified Practitioner a vote in the affairs that most directly concerned his profession. Because of an awareness of these problems, AAOP has been formed, with the endorsement of the Board of Directors of the Association and the American Board for Certification to formulate and establish a group which will represent the interests and affairs of the individual certifees. As a result, an organizational meeting was held in St. Louis on December 12 and 13. Eighty-three Certified Practitioners were present at this meeting and endorsed the by-laws and the Charter of this group; elected officers and directors; and established application fees and annual dues.
The purposes of the corporation, as stated in the Certificate of Incorporation, and subject to amendment from time to time, as therein provided, are the following:
- To conduct and carry on the activities of a non-profit corporation in order to promote attainment of the highest standards of technical competency and ethical conduct by practitioners;
- To provide, through membership in the Academy, recognition of practitioners who practice according to technical and ethical standards that the Academy may adopt;
- To conduct investigations and examinations and do any other act necessary to ascertain whether practitioners who apply for or who have been admitted to membership in the Academy achieve and maintain these standards.
- To collaborate with recognized educational, research and other organizations to develop technical and ethical standards for the profession of orthotics and prosthetics.
It is recognized by the Board of AAOP that there are now in existence several active societies at the regional or local level, and that other groups are in the process of forming. It is hoped by the Board that these groups will align themselves with, and become members of AAOP, and subscribe to the articles of incorporation, and become chapters of the National AAOP organization. Much of what the Academy hopes to accomplish in the areas of educational advancement, public relations, recruitment, and other efforts will have to be done at the local level. This will require the support and the effort of all practitioners, nationwide.
The board is formulating active working committees. They will be comprised of practitioners in all parts of the country to make the Academy a functional and energetic working body to stimulate, encourage, and promote attainment of the highest standards of technical competency and ethical conduct by practitioners of the profession of orthotics and prosthetics.
In the final analysis, the success or failure of the infant Academy rests solely with the Certified Practitioners. If they support these efforts, not only by joining the Academy and paying dues, but by offering their services and working for the Academy, then it cannot help but be a successful effort.
Membership requirements are as follows:
- Membership is limited to orthotic and prosthetic practitioners who are certified by the American Board for Certification in Orthotics and Prosthetics, Inc.
- Such practitioners who apply and pay the application fee and dues during the first year of the Academy's existence will be charter members.
The Officers and Directors who were elected at the December 12-13 meeting in St. Louis are: President:
Ralph R. (Ronney)
Snell, C.P. President-Elect: William Brady, C.P.
Vice-President: Hugh Panton, C.P.
Secy.-Treas.: Daniel G. Rowe, C.P.O.
Directors: Blair Hanger, CP. Henry Gardner, C.P.O.
Charles Jones, C.P.
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