Century College O&P Students Form Unique Organization

By Mauricio "Mo" Morales

The Orthotic and Prosthetic Student Association (OPSA) at Century College, White Bear Lake, Minnesota, was organized by Tim Marrin during the 1999-2000 school year. He felt that an association needed to be created to represent the unique field of O&P within the Century College campus, and to make the O&P community aware of the Century College program and its students.

Tim's vision was for the program to be driven and supported by O&P students. This philosophy is reflected in their mission, which is to promote the orthotic and prosthetic profession to Century College and the community, to provide a forum for those interested in the profession, and to provide supplemental educational opportunities for students enrolled in orthotic and prosthetic programs.

OPSA's goal is simple: education. The means by which this goal is attained lies with the students. What makes OPSA unique is that each year, new practitioner and technician students have the opportunity to imprint their ideas into the program. The possibilities for OPSA are limitless.

OPSA has promoted and hosted many activities in the past few years. Here are a few examples:

OPSA Banquet- This event has several purposes. It is educational: featuring a nationally known O&P keynote speaker. It is social: students interact in a non-classroom/laboratory setting. Younger students receive an opportunity to experience a business banquet before entering the "real world." All the students have an opportunity to meet O&P professionals who may in the future provide them with their first clinical opportunities.

This banquet is not limited to O&P students; the Century College student body as well as the community at large are welcome to attend. In past years, speakers have been Marty Carlson, CPO, and John Michael, CPO. This year's speakers are John Fisk, MD, who will discuss the International Society for Prosthetics and Orthotics (ISPO) and his recent trip to Cambodia; and Ed Hommer, a bilateral amputee, who will describe his conquest of Mount McKinley-which nearly cost him his life.

Tech Personal Best Program- This program is designed to give amputees the knowledge and awareness to reach their personal best, and to inspire and motivate amputees to become more active in life by exposing them to new state-of-the-art products. It also assists them in maintaining a healthy lifestyle through diet, self-help tips, and coping techniques. The program is led by Rob Snoek, an amputee and Paralympic athlete. Local O&P facilities and OPSA are co-sponsors.

Wheelchair Basketball Demonstration- The Wheelchair Basketball Demonstration, an annual event, was begun during the 2000-2001 school year. The demonstration gives students, Century College administrators, and the community an opportunity to learn about wheelchair basketball. For the past two years, Josie Johnson, a Paralympian, has led the demonstration. This event is educational, fun, and challenging. Participants can try out some of the new state-of-the-art wheelchair basketball chairs and test their skills against an established wheelchair basketball team.

The Orthotic Prosthetic Student Association is committed to hosting programs which educate not only their members, but also other students and faculty at Century College and the general public. O&P professionals too have found the programs interesting and informative. OPSA is always on the lookout for such programs. Anyone interested in coordinating an event or participating as a banquet speaker can contact OPSA via e-mail: opsa@century.mnscu.edu .

Mauricio "Mo" Morales is an orthotic and prosthetic student and president of OPSA

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Table Of Contents - July 2002

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	From the Editor
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	Fabricating a Flexible Brim Socket with a Rigid Distal End Shop Talk
	NegReg: Are Consumers Adequately Represented? Perspective
	Sneak Peek: Fillauer to Offer Innovative Orthotic Technology: SPL Orthotic Knee Joint Innovations
	Consumer Empowerment Grows in Developing Countries Salute!
	Provider Qualification Position Statement Exclusively Online
	Negotiated Rulemaking Committee Members Exclusively Online
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	From the Editor Viewpoints