IndustrynEWs
ABC Unveils State Licensure Web Tool
The American Board for Certification in Orthotics , Prosthetics and Pedorthics , Inc . ( ABC ) recently introduced its latest web tool for O & P professionals working in licensure states . ABC ’ s new interactive licensure map is easily accessed from the ABC home page and includes detailed information on licensure requirements for the 13 states currently requiring an individual to be licensed to practice in that state . Information is also included for Mississippi , which requires that orthotists and prosthetists be certified but does not have state licensure .
Each state listing includes information on the specific individuals required to be licensed , eligibility requirements and fees , as well as links to the statute definition , licensure webpage and application . This information will be continually updated as needed .
ABC is proud to provide this free service to all orthotists , prosthetists , pedorthists and fitters in its continuing mission to promote the highest standards of organizational and clinical performance in the profession .
For more information , review the ABC State Licensure Map at abcop . org .
Donald D . Virostek , CPO , Named ABC President
Donald D . Virostek , CPO , assumed the role of president of the ABC Board of Directors on Dec . 1 , 2011 . As part of ABC ’ s annual leadership transition , Virostek takes over the presidency from John M . Kenney , CPO , FAAOP of Lexington , Ky . Kenney will continue to serve ABC as immediate past president of the board .
Virostek started to volunteer with ABC as a prosthetic examiner and has been instrumental in writing and developing all aspects of the practitioner credentialing exams during the past 12 years . He joined the ABC Board of Directors in 2003 . Since then , Virostek has played a role in creating many of ABC ’ s current policies and brings with him nearly 22 years of experience working in the orthotic and prosthetic profession . Virostek received his bachelor ’ s degree from the University of Pittsburgh and attended the University of Texas Southwestern for his orthotic and prosthetic training . He earned his certified prosthetist / orthotist credential from ABC in 1993 . Virostek has worked for Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children for 16 years and has served as the hospital ’ s director of orthotics for the past five years
ABC Welcomes Three New Board Members , Two Others Retire
ABC welcomes three new members to its board of directors following the retirement of two members on Nov . 30 . On Dec . 1 , Christopher J . Fairman , CPO ; Deborah Merritt Plescia , CPO ; and Anthony Sertick Jr ., Atty ., ABC ’ s new public member , joined the board . At its Sept . 18 meeting in Las Vegas , the ABC Board of Directors confirmed these appointments and also bid farewell to Thomas F . Coakley , public member ; and Robert S . Lin , CPO , FAAOP .
Fairman , of Ann Arbor , Mich ., has been volunteering with ABC on both the Prosthetic Exam and Prosthetic CPM Administration teams for several years . He also currently serves as an ABC exam site coordinator . Fairman , co-owner of Great Lakes Prosthetics & Orthotics , completed his undergraduate studies at the University of Michigan and his orthotic and prosthetic education at Northwestern University . His specialties are pediatric and adult prosthetic care , orthoses for athletes and unique custom orthotic and prosthetic challenges .
Plescia , of Covington , La ., is a secondgeneration practitioner and comes to the ABC board with a great deal of experience working in the orthotics and prosthetics profession . Plescia has volunteered with ABC for many years as an examiner , exam development and administration team member , and facility accreditation surveyor . She completed her orthotic and prosthetic education at Northwestern University . She currently serves as a practitioner for Hanger P & O and also serves as the NCOPE residency site coordinator for the New Orleans Hanger residency site .
Sertick Jr . joins the ABC board as a public member . Sertick was born and raised in Youngstown , Ohio , and received his bachelor ’ s degree from Youngstown State University and his Juris Doctorate degree from the University of Akron . Sertick currently serves as the magistrate of the Youngstown Municipal Court . As an orthotics consumer for 35 years , Sertick is an avid contributor to the disabled community . Sertick serves on the Board of Mahoning County Developmental Disabilities , the local Goodwill Board of Trustees and the Board of the Hine Memorial Fund , a program that provides support for children with disabilities in the Youngstown area .
The following two board retirees have spent years serving ABC and are leaving having made numerous contributions to the organization .
As one of two public members on the ABC Board of Directors , Coakley worked to ensure that the consumer had a voice . He joined the ABC board in 1999 and has been influential in the strategic and financial planning of ABC . Both Coakley and his wife , Nellie , have been , and continue to be , strong advocates for the amputee community , counseling veterans and providing a voice for amputees .
34 Pedorthic Footcare Association www . pedorthics . org