We are excited to announce that BOC recently accepted an invitation to join the Orthotic and Prosthetic Alliance (O&P Alliance). As a member of the O&P Alliance, BOC is recognized as one of the leading national organizations representing the O&P profession. BOC will become full, voting members on January 1, 2012. Read the official press statement from the O&P Alliance below for more details.
November 28, 2011
Contact: Peter Thomas
202-466-6550
Peter.thomas@ppsv.com
PRESS RELEASE
Orthotic and Prosthetic Alliance Announces New Member
Washington D.C.: The Orthotic and Prosthetic Alliance (“O&P Alliance”) recently announced that the Board of Certification/Accreditation, International (“BOC”) has accepted its invitation to become a member of the coalition. The invitation, issued after a unanimous vote of the four original members of the O&P Alliance, was extended after a year of BOC participation in the Alliance’s public policy activities, including frequent conference calls and meetings.
“As we move forward with full implementation of the “historic agreement” reached by these five organizations in 2009 related to BOC raising its O&P education standards, we are pleased to have BOC as a full member in the coalition,” stated Peter W. Thomas, O&P Alliance Counsel.
The O&P Alliance’s chief mission is to advocate for state and federal policies that improve the practice of O&P and quality of services provided to patients who require O&P care. Originally comprised of four national orthotic and prosthetic organizations including the American Board for Certification in Orthotics, Prosthetics, and Pedorthics (ABC), the American Academy of Orthotists and Prosthetists (AAOP), the American Orthotic and Prosthetic Association (AOPA), and the National Association for the Advancement of Orthotics and Prosthetics (NAAOP), the O&P Alliance seeks to present a unified voice on public policy and government affairs and to facilitate improved communication within the O&P profession.
Sharon Nichelson, CMOF, Chairwoman of the BOC Board of Directors, noted, “Our membership in the O&P Alliance shows our aligned commitment to quality patient care through advocacy, fair and equitable coverage and reimbursement policies, and enhanced O&P education. We believe this is a great step forward for everyone involved.”
BOC’s membership in the O&P Alliance will officially begin on January 1, 2012, and all the member organizations are looking forward to working together for the betterment of the O&P profession and the patients served.