Summary of the 1998 Phoenix Consensus Conference

12/98

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Summary of the Phoenix Consensus Conference

December 5-7, 1998

Following an intense two-and-a-half days of discussions, 50 representatives of the involved O&P organizations are more convinced than ever of the need to consolidate. The group, comprised of leaders and members from the AAOP (American Academy of Orthotists and Prosthetists), AOPA (American Orthotic and Prosthetic Association), ABC (American Board for Certification in Orthotics and Prosthetics), and NCOPE (National Commission on Orthotic and Prosthetic Education), agreed on the fundamental principles of a consolidated organization, leaving the details to be worked out by the Steering Committee.

Changes in the health care environment and pressure from members to be more proactive is behind the move to consolidate and create a new paradigm to meet the challenges faced today and in the future.

The new organization, expected to be named the American Association for Orthotics and Prosthetics (AAOP), will represent both individual practitioners and facilities and will contain ABC and NCOPE as autonomous entities.

The mission of the association will be to represent the orthotics and prosthetics profession in promoting quality O&P care and services. This mission is to be fulfilled through five goals: education, credentialing, government relations, research, and communications.

Membership categories, dues levels, voting rights, and bylaws are among the many details to be determined prior to the plans presentation at the Academys Annual Meeting in New Orleans, March 3-6.

David J. Jendrzejczyk, CP, FAAOP, National Office Board Chairman enthusiastically endorsed the work of the conference and stressed that the schedule for developing the consolidated organization will have several opportunities for member input throughout the process prior to calling for a vote in August or September.

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