OWINGS MILLS, Md. (Nov. 19, 2024) – The Board of Certification/Accreditation (BOC) is delighted to announce Wendy Miller, BOCO, LO, CDME, as the recipient of its 2024 Jim Newberry Award for Extraordinary Service.
BOC’s Board Chairman, Cameron Stewart, BOCO, BOCP, said, “There are few people who have served BOC for so many years and in so many capacities. Wendy is very deserving to be among the ranks of BOC’s Newberry recipients. It is one of BOC’s highest honors, and our Board of Directors is proud to recognize Wendy for her many accomplishments and contributions.”
Miller’s unwavering dedication to volunteering and serving BOC for 30 years creates a clear picture for why she is receiving this esteemed award.
She was a volunteer who helped to develop the organization’s orthotist clinical simulation and multiple-choice exam teams. Miller shared her extensive knowledge and understanding of orthotics to ensure BOC’s exams comprehensively assessed the professional skills required in the dynamic field. This commitment to the organization led her to accept a role on the Board of Directors in 1995, a testament to her passion for BOC and its mission.
Miller served on the BOC Board for six years, including one year as secretary. She played a pivotal role in creating BOC’s orthotic fitter (COF) and mastectomy fitter (CMF) certifications in 2000 and 2001. More than 20 years later, both certifications remain prominent credentials for BOC and part of Miller’s lasting impact on the orthotics field.
In 2007, Miller joined BOC’s team as facility accreditation manager, advanced to chief credentialing officer in 2015 and later served as special assistant to the CEO. She helped enhance BOC’s accreditation process, assisted in creating the Durable Medical Equipment Specialist (CDME) certification, and served as an ambassador for BOC at many conferences. Miller also contributed numerous articles to industry publications and met with members of Congress to advocate for orthotics and prosthetics (O&P) advancements, which resulted in actionable change.
In 2019, Miller’s contributions were recognized with a National Association for the Advancement of Orthotics & Prosthetics (NAAOP) Leadership Award. She was also acknowledged by O&P News as a leading innovator reshaping the O&P profession in the O&P News 175, further solidifying her status as a respected figure in the field.
Miller professionally retired from BOC in December 2023 after decades spent helping to advance the organization and support businesses and providers in delivering quality care that improved patient outcomes. Today, she enjoys retirement in her home state of Pennsylvania, where she spends time with her husband and plays a new role of “Nana” for her grandchildren.
“For three decades, I had the opportunity to see BOC grow beyond what I could have ever imagined—both from the perspective of a volunteer and a staff member,” said Miller. “I am incredibly grateful to be recognized as BOC’s 2024 Newberry Award recipient and honored to continue to play my part in the organization’s incredible story and history.”
The Jim Newberry Award for Extraordinary Service is named in honor of longtime BOC practitioner, board member and leader James Newberry, Jr., BOCP, BOCO, BOCPD, who passed away in 2016. The award recognizes outstanding individuals who perform extraordinary service to BOC, the community of stakeholders BOC serves and those who live out the superior example modeled by Newberry during his more than four decades in the field of orthotics and prosthetics.
To learn more about BOC, visit www.www.bocusa.org.