Hanger 2002 Education Fair Highlights Latest Innovations
By Cherie D. Zeringue, BSME, BSBmE
"Building a Bridge to Success" was the theme of the Hanger
Prosthetics and Orthotics Education Fair 2002, February 11-17, in
Reno, Nevada. Attended by approximately 750 Hanger practitioners,
the meeting focused on communicating the latest in product
innovation, new technologies, and methodologies.
Bella J. May, EDD, PT, FAPTA, receives the Lifetime Achievement
Award from Hanger Prosthetics & Orthotics. Displaying the award
are (from left) Kevin Carroll, MS, CP, FAAOP, vice president of
Prosthetics; Dr. May; and Ivan R. Sabel, CPO, Hanger CEO.
With 39 programs offered by attending manufacturers and vendors, practitioners attending the four-day fair were able to earn 25-31 hours of continuing educational credits. Course highlights included the Camp Institute of Applied Technology (CIAT) five-day course presented by Robert Meier, BOCO, Nelson LeMarquand, CO, and Patrice Sobinski of Camp HealthCare; the Pathfinder Certification Course presented by Philip Harrison, CP, and Larry Corley of Ohio Willow Wood; and the True Dynamic Socket System presented by Jim McElhiney, CPO, and Alexandra Laghi of Alps South Corporation.
A total of 270 vendor representatives from 107 manufacturers and suppliers exhibited at the fair, allowing practitioners to earn an additional three hours by visiting the exhibition hall. Jeff Alaimo, president of Acor Orthopaedic, commented, "The Education Fair is a unique meeting for manufacturers because of the camaraderie of individuals attending the event. A nice, relaxed atmosphere has been established that enables productive conversation and an open exchange of ideas between manufacturers and practitioners."
On the lighter side, all attendees were treated to a crowd-pleasing performance by the one and only bionic Elvis, Ray Guillemette. Having lost his leg last year in a motorcycle accident, the internationally acclaimed Elvis impersonator thought his stage career was over. Less than eight months after his accident, Ray is back on stage recreating an authentic, youthful Elvis experience, thanks to his new prosthetic limb.
Bionic Elvis impersonator Ray Guillemette wows the crowd. A
computerized Otto Bock C-Leg helps Ray recreate the Elvis
experience, right down to the curl of his lip and the swivel of his
hips.
Kevin Carroll, MS, CP, FAAOP, vice president of Prosthetics, presented the Lifetime Achievement Award to Bella J. May, EDD, PT, FAPTA. The award is presented to a person who has contributed greatly to the field of prosthetics and orthotics by dedicating his or her expertise and life's work to its advancement.
This year marks Dr. May's 50th anniversary in the physical therapy profession. Her work has been published in more than 45 journals, books, and book chapters. "A nationally known and well respected speaker and educator, Dr. May has dedicated her life to the advancement of the education of physical therapists, as well as to the rehabilitation of persons with amputations," Carroll said. "She is not afraid to challenge and stimulate our thought processes and established beliefs. We thank her for her continuing dedication, leadership, and expertise."
Cherie D. Zeringue, BSME, MSBmE, is president of Growth Solutions LLC, a marketing and sales consulting firm in Salt Lake City, Utah.
PrimeCare Network Names McClellan, Edwards
Bruce P "Mac" McClellan, CPO, FISPO, has been appointed to the Board of Directors of the PrimeCare O&P Network, an independent provider network with 75 locations in 11 states. McClellan is president of Prosthetic-Orthotic Associates of East Texas, with facilities in Tyler and Longview; and Prosthetic-Orthotic Associates of North Texas, Lewisville.
A graduate of California State University, McClellan completed prosthetic programs at Northwestern University and earned an Associate Degree in Prosthetics and Orthotics from Cerritos College.
McClellan has previously served as director of the O&P Department at the Dallas Rehabilitation Institute and as director and assistant professor for the Prosthetics-Orthotics Program at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Dallas.
He is a former vice chairman and Executive Board member of the U.S. member society of the International Society for Prosthetics and Orthotics (ISPO) and a former chairman of its Education Program Committee. McClellan has served the American Board for Certification in Orthotics and Prosthetics (ABC), the American Academy of Orthotists and Prosthetists (AAOP), and the American Orthotic and Prosthetic Association (AOPA) in several capacities and is a past president of the Texas Chapter of AAOP.
Also joining PrimeCare as account manager is Jane Edwards, formerly an account manager and physician recruiter for E.D. Resource, a Memphis-based contract management company. Edwards earned her BBA degree from Mississippi State University and has worked previously for PrimeCare, assisting in developing initial contacts and establishing the groundwork for the corporation when it was begun in 1997. "A lot has happened in the three years since I last served PrimeCare," Edwards said. "It's a much bigger ball game now-but it's exciting to be back and caught up in that progressive momentum. I look forward to being part of the network's continuing growth and working once again with former colleagues."
