By: Wendy Miller, BOCO, LO, CDME
One of my favorite times of the year is the Christmas holiday season. I love party planning and look forward to helping make the holidays fun and special at BOC each year. This December, I have multiple reasons to celebrate and give thanks. Not only will I be wrapping presents for those I care about, but I’ll be also wrapping up a career I have loved.
Over the years I’ve had the pleasure of helping coordinate thoughtful gifts for colleagues celebrating BOC milestones at our annual holiday party. This year, it was my turn to receive one!
My DMEPOS professional journey began in 1994 when I became a Certified Orthotist (BOCO). I chose to earn my credential with BOC, appreciating the straightforward process that clearly explained what it would take to become a certified healthcare professional. I was so grateful to BOC for making my experience so positive that I decided I wanted to give back to the organization.
My first volunteer assignment with BOC was as a subject matter expert (SME) helping BOC to ensure their tests were aligned with the skills required in the ever-changing orthotics field. Ultimately, my commitment to the organization and its mission led me to join the Board of Directors. During this time, I served on the two key development teams that created BOC’s orthotic fitter (COF) and mastectomy fitter (CMF) certifications. Although the creation of a new certification program can be quite arduous, having the right people seated at the table resulted in two successful certification programs that are still thriving today.
I joined the staff of BOC in 2007 as the facility accreditation manager, eventually becoming chief credentialing officer in 2015. Some of my favorite moments during this time are reflective of BOC’s commitment to helping businesses and providers deliver quality care and improve patient outcomes. They are:
- The development and launch of the BOC Accreditation Survival Kit for DMEPOS facilities to help them obtain and maintain accreditation (2011).
- The development and launch of the Certified Durable Medical Equipment Specialist program (CDME), a certification that I earned in 2015.
- The expansion of BOC offerings to include a retail pharmacy accreditation program.
Throughout my career, I’ve had the privilege of being involved in so many vital aspects of this field. I’ve served as a HIPAA Compliance Officer, contributed numerous articles to industry publications, and was one of the inaugural members recognized as an innovator in orthotics and prosthetics by O&P News in the O&P News 175. I’ve worked with the Program Integrity Group at the Centers for Medicare/Medicaid Services and have been an active participant in the O&P Alliance since 2010. I’m proud of all I’ve done—but I am particularly proud of my time at BOC.
Over the past 29 years, I have seen BOC grow beyond what I ever could have imagined and I am so grateful to have been an integral part of the organization’s success. When envisioning the next three decades for BOC, I eagerly anticipate the continued innovation and momentum that surely lies ahead thanks to our capable staff and Board of Directors. It’s comforting to know that I’m leaving BOC in good hands with such a talented and dedicated team.
I’m looking forward to retirement and the next chapter in this book of my life. One of my favorite quotes is from Michael J. Fox, who said, “Family is not an important thing; it’s everything.” This rings true for me as I plan to spend my retirement years traveling and enjoying time with my husband and family. But before I take this next step, I’m taking a moment to savor the many milestones I have achieved over the years and am grateful for the opportunity to contribute. I can’t imagine a better Christmas gift than celebrating my very fulfilling career and looking forward to all that is to come.