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Reaching Beyond Our Borders 2007 ‘Exceeds Expectations’
By Tonja Randolph
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Rob Kistenberg, CPO, FAAOP, U.S. ISPO chair introduces Marlo Ortiz, CP (M). |
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U.S. ISPO, a national member society of
the International Society for Prosthetics and Orthotics
(ISPO), hosted the Reaching Beyond Our Borders 2007 (RBOB
2007) conference in cooperation with The O&P EDGE
February 1-3 at the Hyatt Cancun Caribe Resort. The conference was
established to facilitate the exchange of information and resources
among healthcare professionals involved with the rehabilitation of
adults who require orthoses and prostheses in order to maximize
their level of function and independence.
The 144 attendees, which included 45 Latin American registrants,
had the opportunity to network with rehabilitation professionals,
learn about progressive treatment options across the Western
Hemisphere, and strengthen the rehabilitation community in the
region. In addition to a full slate of presentations and workshops,
participants were treated to cool ocean breezes, a poolside welcome
reception, a sit-down dinner, and entertainment.
 Speakers included Rob Kistenberg, CPO, FAAOP;
Kevin Carroll, CPO, FAAOP; John Fisk, MD; Frank Gottschalk, MD;
Karen Andrews, MD; John Bowker, MD; John Miguel Gomez, MD, LO;
Edgar Caudillo S., O&P (Engineer-Mexico); Gerardo Caudillo S.
(O&P-Mexico); Juan Carlos Camacho, P/O (M); Mary Williams
Clark, MD; John Michael, MEd, CPO, FAAOP, FISPO; Jose Salvador
Carrasco Rico, PT; Leland Lou, MD; Mario Eugenio Guevara Martinez,
Fernando González, Gilberto Abarca, and Evelyn de Sermeno
(University Don Bosco); Marlo Ortiz, CP (M); Alberto Esquenazi, MD;
and Elías Fermón CP (M). Simultaneous translation was
provided for all Spanish and English general sessions. Various
workshops were conducted each afternoon, and Rosie Jované,
OP-Panama, provided translation when needed.
"RBOB 07 exceeded everyone's expectations," said Kistenberg,
U.S. ISPO chair. "The presentations were top-notch in both English
and Spanish, and the translation worked wonderfully. The attendees
were multicultural and the location was, well, Cancun. U.S. ISPO
seems to have hit a formula for a great meeting, with a strong
program, solid support, and good attendance. We look forward to
hosting RBOB meetings for years to come--well, every other year to
come. RBOB 2009 is already being planned."
Conference organizer Dianne Farabi was also pleased with the
conference outcome. "[RBOB 2007] was a successful partnership of
the U.S. and Latin American attendees," she said. "It was an
enthusiastic sharing of information and networking. Without the
generous sponsorship of the 21 vendors, the conference would not
have been as successful." Major sponsors for the event were Otto
Bock HealthCare and Ohio Willow Wood.
U.S. ISPO will alternate each year between a Caribbean Rim
conference and a Pacific Rim conference. Next year's Pacific Rim
Conference will be held January 27-31 at the Sheraton Maui, Maui,
Hawaii.
For more information or to register as an attendee, vendor,
or speaker, contact Dianne Farabi, 614.659.0197; e-mail:dfarabi@columbus.rr.com 
Table Of Contents - April 2007
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