Iowa Orthopedic Surgeon Named President of AAOS

Stuart L. Weinstein, MD, was named president of the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons (AAOS) at the organization’s 72nd Annual Meeting in Washington, February 23–27, 2005.

“I am very dedicated to AAOS and its mission to support patient-centered care,” said Weinstein. “I look forward to collaborating with the volunteer leaders, members,  and staff on important orthopedic and health care issues today and in the future.”

Weinstein is currently the Ignacio V. Ponseti chair and professor of orthopedic surgery at the University of Iowa in Iowa City, Iowa. In addition, he is chairman of the International Center for Orthopedic Education and chairman of Doctors for Medical Liability Reform.

The recipient of numerous awards and honors, Weinstein has served as presidential guest speaker for multiple international orthopedic associations. He has also received the Bristol-Myers Squibb/Zimmer Award for Distinguished Achievement in Orthopedic Research; the Kappa Delta/Orthopedic Research and Education Foundation Clinical Research Award; the Russell Hibbs Award for Clinical Research, given by the Scoliosis Research Society; and the Arthur H. Heune Memorial Award, given by the St. Giles Foundation and the Pediatric Orthopedic Society of North America, in recognition of outstanding research contributions to pediatric orthopedics. He has also been honored by memberships in national and pediatric orthopedic associations around the world, including those in Australia, New Zealand, Germany, Great Britain, and Argentina.

Having been actively involved in AAOS for 25 years, Weinstein will focus his term on patient-centered care, medical liability reform, orthopedic unity, and increased coordination of advocacy efforts. In addition, Weinstein is also interested in strengthening educational programs to help members meet the commitment to lifelong learning mandated by the Maintenance of Certification process.

Perform Better Hosts its Functional Training Summit

Perform Better, Cranston, RI, presents its Functional Training Summit, a 3-day hands-on seminar featuring 28 nationally known and respected professionals.

The program, which is ideal for all those who are in the physical therapy profession, as well as athletes and personal trainers,  will take place in Providence, RI, from April 29­­–May 1, 2005 and in Los Angeles, Calif, from June 3–5, 2005. Both events will be held at the civic centers in each location.

For additional information, contact Perform Better, (800) 556-7464; www.performbetter.com.

Unique Safety Program Receives Governor’s Award

The San Francisco State University (SFSU) Ergonomic Safety Program Team received Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s (R-Calif) Employee Safety Award for its ergonomic education program. The 6-week program, offered every spring, focuses on helping employees practice healthy computing habits.

The program’s many quick tips offer a variety of ways to incorporate healthful work habits into one’s daily routine. Some of the skills acquired include an ability to gauge unnecessary and excessive muscle tension, a common problem when working with computers. Employees also learn how to correctly set up a workstation, how to avoid excessive strain on the muscles and eyes, and how to incorporate healthy computing habits into their everyday lives.

Once program participants successfully complete the 2-hour-per-week training course, they become coaches who are equipped with the knowledge and skills to train their coworkers or employees. As of today, more than 150 employees have completed the training.

“There is no other campus I know of in the California State University system that has a program in which employees train other employees,” said Michael Martin, director of risk management at SFSU. “SFSU’s Ergonomic Safety Program is relationship driven and ongoing; and through the program, we have completely eliminated all of the backlogged requests from employees regarding pain or discomfort resulting from work. We have helped hundreds of employees on the campus.”

Pride Mobility and Quantum Rehab Seminar Tour 2005

Pride Mobility Products, Exeter, Pa, is proud to announce its 2005 Seminar Tour, which began in March and continues into late August. For the sixth-consecutive year, representatives from Pride will set out on a 24-city seminar tour to train providers, physical therapists, and occupational therapists in the latest advances in Pride’s technology and services.

“Pride is privileged to have such quality seating and positioning instructors on the tour this year,” says Dan Fedor, general manager of reimbursement and compliance. “Our Pride technical courses have always been a huge success, and this year will be no different. With the pending changes in reimbursement, our ‘Reimbursement for Power Mobility Products in 2005’ course will provide a detailed understanding on how these changes affect the industry.”

The seminar features four courses designed to educate participants on electrical and mechanical functions, end-to-end funding for mobility products, and hands-on applications for troubleshooting. This year, a newly designed CEU program includes five different presentations on seating and positioning that will be taught by several different well-respected OTs and PTs at each city, showcasing different aspects about seating and positioning. These courses provide 0.6 CEUs from the University of Pittsburgh, as well as six contact hours.

The cost for all classes, excluding the seating and positioning, is $50 per person. It includes a continental breakfast, deli lunch,  and seminar materials. The seating and positioning class is $75 per person and also includes a continental breakfast, deli lunch, and seminar materials.

For a complete schedule of the 2005 Seminar Tour, contact Pride Mobility at (800) 800-8586, ext. 1398. For additional information about the CEU course, contact Pride Mobility at (800) 800-8586, ext. 1071.