2010 POINT Premier Educational Conference

This annual conference is the premier educational event for the O and P industry.  Go to www.pointhca.com/pointpremier for more information on next year's conference.

2009 POINT Premier Conference Golf Outing

To kick off the 2009 POINT Premier Conference in Club Med, Florida, attendees and manufacturers golfed at the Eagle Marsh. 

Marty Frana, Randy Lacey, Brandon Sampson and Ross Terman of Prosthetic Laboratories of Rochester	Dale Wilson of Premier, Barbara and Tom Watson of Tom Watson's Prosthetic & Orthotic Lab	Andy Steele and Dean Sturch of Clark & Associates, Fred Lanier of KnitRite and Brad Mattear of O&P1	Brian Weaver of American Orthopedics, Ron Durrett of Durrett's O&P Services, Dan Oglesby of Birmingham Limb & Brace and Jan Saunders of Saunders Prosthetics & Orthotics
Joe Pongratz of Pongratz Orthotics & Prosthetics, Dennis Clark of POINT, Eric Robinson of 360oandp.com and Dr. Mark Pilley of RS Medical	Vern Harrington of Brightree, Dan and Cindy Zenas of Georgia Prosthetics and Norbert Fliess of American Limb & Orthopedic Co.	Jim Alaimo of Benchmark, Kellee and Ron Hercules of KnitRite and Dawn and Jim Andreassen of OPGA	Andy Steele of Clark & Associates
Brad Mattear of O&P1	Eagle Marsh	Cindy Zenas of Georgia Prosthetics	Dale Wilson of Premier
Dan Zenas of Georgia Prosthetics	Jan Saunders of Saunders Prosthetics & Orthotics	Joe Pongratz of Pongratz Orthotics & Prosthetics	Eric Robinson of 360oandp.com
Tom Watson of Tom Watson's Prosthetic & Orthotic Lab

2009 POINT Premier Conference Program

The 2009 POINT Premier Conference was an educational conference provided for POINT Premier members.  While two and a half days of sessions, exhibit time, and a round table discussions, attendees earned a total of 16 ABC business and scientific credits. 

First day in session.	Practical Outcome Measures by John Michael, MEd, CPO/L, FAAOP	Elements for Accreditation Success by Scott Williamson, Director of Facility Accreditation, ABC	David Boone, CP, MPH, Ph.D. and patient model/2008 Paralympic gold medalist Jim Bob Bizzell showcasing OrthoCare Innovations
Pannel discussion with all presenters: Dennis Clark of POINT, Dr. Mark Pilley of RS Medical, Scott Williamson of ABC, John Michael of CPO Services, Dr. David Boone of OrthoCare Innovations, Mark Higley of VGM and Louis Feuer of Dynamic Seminars.	Dr. Mark Pilley, Scott Williamson, John Michael, David Boone and Mark Higley in discussion on compliance with performance managedment with Premier attendees	Jim Andreassen of OPGA presenting the O-P Mall.	Greg Bauer and Eric Robinson of 360oandp.com
Dave Cormack of Brightree and Jim Alaimo of Benchmark	Robert Smith and Chris MacKay of Breg	Jeremy Kauten of Forbin	Brad Mattear of O&P1
David Boone of OrthoCare Innovations	Shane Namack of Ossur	Warren Freeman of VGM Insurance	Teresa Thorpe, Chad and Susan Chappuis, Tricia and Warren Freeman and Chris Vering
Norbert and Janet Fliess, Sue and Dick Scarbrough, Louis and Barbara Feuer	Tom and Barbara Watson, Ray and Connie Fikes, Dana and Marty McNab, Jennifer and Glenn Crumpton, Ron and Kellee Hercules	Dennis Clark, Jeremy Kauten, Cassi Ubben and April Pudenz

Meeting with presidential candidate Barack Obama and US Congressman Bruce Braley

POINT President Dennis Clark, CPO met with presidential candidate Barack Obama and US Congressman Bruce Braley.  They had a discussion about the ongoing needs for wounded soldiers returning from Iraq and Afghanistan as well as the government's war on terror. 

Presidential candidate Barack Obama, Sue Clark, POINT President Dennis Clark, and US Congressman Bruce Braley

2008 AOPA National Assembly

AOPA National Assembly is always a great  opportunity to network with our members and manufacturers, as well as establish new relationships in the industry.  These are pictures from our booth in the exhibit hall and the annual OPGA and POINT Party. 

The POINT and OPGA booth in the Exhibit Hall	OPGA Clinical Director Agnes Curran, CP with POINT member Gordon Stevens, CPO of Baker Orthotics & Prosthetics, TX	Fobin's Jeremy Kauten and Jodi Griggs discussed internet possibilities with show attendees.	POINT President Dennis Clark, CPO explaining benefits to POINT member Harry Layton, CPO of Lawton Brace & Limb Company, OK
The OPGA and POINT Party, sports themed with ballpark food	Kari and John Costello, CPO, Matt Hutchings, CP both of Clark & Associates, IA with Dave Laufer, CO and Tim Hamilton, CO both of Walter Reed Army Medical Center, DC at The Party.	Dennis Clark, Mike Magill of Ossur and Randy Lacey of Prosthetic Laboratories of Rochester at The Party.	The OPGA and POINT Party
The winner of our $500 giveaway was OPGA member Bernie Veldman, CO of Midwest Orthotic Services, IN

NASA and Clark Focus on Wounded Warrior's Abilities

POINT President Dennis Clark, CPO presenting at NASA

Dennis Clark receiving a plaque from NASA Associate Center Director for Engineering & Technical Operations Mike Wetmore.

Dennis Clark standing in the nose of space shuttle Atlantis

In an effort to familiarize themselves with the abilities and drive possessed by military service-connected amputees, NASA invited Midwest CPO and President of both POINT Health Centers of America and Clark & Associates Prosthetics and Orthotics Dennis Clark to present his first-hand account of working with returning wounded veterans at Walter Reed Army Medical Center. 

“NASA recognizes this group of people as highly motivated, resourceful leaders who are incredibly trained and determined not to fail,” says Clark. “The quality of these men and women are just what NASA is looking for in potential employment.”

Clark’s presentation, “Saluting Our Differently Abled Heroes”, was hosted by NASA’s Office of Diversity and Equal Opportunity.

“Our office sponsors two large diversity events each year,” explains NASA Diversity Program Manager Bonnie McClure. “We wanted our spring event to focus on the topic of individuals with disabilities and their capabilities. The federal government, overall, has not been as successful in attracting and retaining qualified individuals with targeted disabilities and NASA is no exception. The event's purpose was to raise awareness of this and hope to move forward.”

According to McClure, NASA wanted the focus on veterans for two reasons.

“We wanted to show our appreciation of those who serve our country,” she says. “And secondly, there are federal government agencies that provide special hiring authority for certain conflicts.  NASA is interested in taking advantage of the hiring potential among this specialized group of ‘wounded warriors.’”

“The blend of technology, the fact that NASA had contributed to the further development of prosthetics and the specifics of Dennis' experience with Walter Reed made a terrific fit for what we wanted to achieve,” McClure adds. “The presentation was a tremendous success and we have received many wonderful comments from attendees.”

In 2003 Clark and his team of prosthetists were asked to come to Walter Reed Army Medical Center to work with the influx of wounded soldiers from the Iraq conflict. His experience there has given him a unique perspective and intimate access to the hearts and minds of these differently abled individuals.

“I truly believe this group of men and women will become known as the next greatest generation,” Clark says. “Their mantra is ‘Failure is not an option.’ It is an all volunteer army. They are older, and in general are more highly educated than past soldiers. The way they help each other is phenomenal to see. It’s all about what they give.” 

Clark has been in the O&P field since 1968, serving as a certified orthotist and prosthetist, an instructor at Northwestern University and past president of the American Board for Certification in Orthotics and Prosthetics. He was on the Board of the American Academy of Orthotists and Prosthetists, former president of AOPA Region 7, and is a recipient of the Distinguished Practitioner Award from the American Academy of Orthotists and Prosthetists.  From 2003 to 2005, Clark and his partners were contracted by the U.S. Department of Defense to provide prosthetic care to wounded soldiers returning from Iraq and Afghanistan at Walter Reed Army Medical Center.

“Human performance is still the number one focus in this world and we are in a position to make it better,” Clark concludes. “My presentation at NASA is just the beginning of a partnership that has the potential to positively impact our differently abled veterans and the entire O&P community.”

Dennis Clark Presents at Eastern Michigan University

POINT President Dennis Clark, CPO, EMU Grad Assistant Sara Pschigoda and Director, Orthotic-Prosthetic Programs Robert Rhodes, MPA, CO, FAAOP

"Thank you for the presentation, “Prosthetics: The Walter Reed Experience,” that you gave to our students and faculty on 26^th April.

As you may remember, this was their last class before graduation.  I can think of nothing that would have served as a finer completion to their program. To simply experience the presentation was outstanding, but having that coupled with someone of your stature presenting it, and then challenging them to practice at that level was extraordinary. The student’s comments were consistently laudatory, calling it “Wonderful” and “Great.”

As program director, it has been heartening to see how many practitioners and companies have so generously provided time, experience and materials for our students. We think that we are producing some of the best, the leaders and the innovators of the next generation of O&P practitioners. And we are only able to do that because of the contributions such as this.

For me personally, it is always good to see you. I remember when you were one of those students with potential. It is nice to see that you’ve not only lived up to that potential, but that you are recognizing and cultivating potential in our current students.

Thank you again, I hope we can arrange something similar for next year’s class.

I wish you all the best, and hope to see you at a meeting sometime this year."

Robert L. Rhodes, MPA, CO, FAAOP

Director, Orthotic-Prosthetic Programs

POINT Presents at Alabama CMSA

Alabama CMSA President Chris Corey, POINT President Dennis Clark and Alabama CMSA Annual Conference Co-chair Toi Corbett

"Thank you so much for sharing your experiences with our injured soldiers at the CMSA Birmingham conference.  As I told you, your presentation did not disappoint.  You got very high marks from the attendees for both content and delivery.  Your presentation was noted to be very moving and motivating.  A lot of our case managers work in Workers' Compensation and are not always so fortunate to see injured workers seeking to get their lives back following an amputation.  The soldiers outlook on their abilities rather than disability was very uplifting. Thanks so much for supporting our efforts to educate case managers and for giving us all a  look at positive outcomes for amputees, especially those who sacrifice for our country."

Toi Corbett
Alabama CMSA Annual Conference Co-chair

2008 AOPA Policy Forum

AOPA sponsored a Policy Forum in Washington, D.C. from March 9-11. This forum gives orthotic and prosthetic professionals, manufacturers and concerned users the opportunity to speak directly to our nation’s legislators and decision makers. 

POINT Member Dan Oglesby of Birmingham Limb and Brace, POINT President Dennis Clark and POINT Member Glen Crumpton of Alabama Artificial Limb and Orthopedic Service

Dennis Clark, Dan Oglesby, Congressman Mike Rogers of the Armed Services Committee, Glen Crumpton and Retired Army Captain Matt Basic

Dan Oglesby, Matt Basic, Glen Crumpton and SSG Daniel Metzdorf of the US Army Golden Knights

Dennis Clark in the White House Press Room

2008 POINT Premier Cruise Retreat

Brightree CEO Dave Cormack explains his program to attendees.	Dave Cormack, Brightree CEO and POINT member David Goris.	Dennis gives the POINT Update.	VGM VP of Research and Development Mark Higley discusses Competitive Bidding.
Brightree's Vern Harrington presents the Brightree online billing program.	Our full presentation room.	POINT Director of Communications Cassi Ubben, VGM Events Planner April Pudenz, Forbin General Manager Jeremy Kauten and POINT President Dennis Clark on the ship.	Cassi Ubben and Dale Wilson speak with members at POINT booth.
Russ Britson from VGM Insurance and Jeremy Kauten from Forbin meet with members.	Brandon Sampson of Prosthetic Laboratories shows his other passion, aside from O & P.	Brandon Sampson and his guitar.	Director of Member/Manufacturer Relations Dale Wilson and his wife Jackie.
POINT Members Glen Crumpton and David Puckett with friend Vicki.	Russ Britson of VGM Insurance and Jeremy Kauten of Forbin network at dinner.

Meeting with US Congressman Bruce Braley, 12-21-07

POINT President Dennis Clark, CPO spoke with Congressman Bruce Braley about governmental iniciatives and their affect on small businesses.  In particular, they discussed small, medical-related businesses in light of recently released policies regarding qualifying providers (accreditation requirement) as it relates to Medicare billing.

POINT Director of Communications Cassi Ubben, US Congressman Bruce Braley, and POINT President Dennis Clark

Visit with POINT Members

POINT President Dennis Clark and POINT member Glen Crumpton of Alabama Artificial Limb & Orthopedic Services met in Washington, DC in an effort to inform the Alabama congressional representatives of the importance of providing prosthetic care for veterans at an advanced technology level and that this care be provided by certified practitioners and accredited firms.

Dennis Clark and Glen Crumpton in front of the Walter Reed Army.

Dennis Clark, Glen Crumpton, Alabama State Representative Neal Morrison, and Congressman Robert Aderholt standing on the steps of the Capital.

Glen Crumpton, Congressman Mike Rogers, and Dennis Clark in Rogers' D.C. office.

Glen Crumpton, AOPA Executive Director Thomas Fise, and Dennis Clark at AOPA.

Meeting with Senator Grassley

Listening to Grassley

Dennis Clark meets with Senator Chuck Grassley

Heartland Conference

SSG Daniel Metzdorf tees off at the 2007 Heartland Conference in Waterloo, Iowa.

OPGA Upper Limb Interface and Technology Course

These pictures were taken at the OPGA Upper Limb Interface and Techology Course in Atlanta, Georgia.