OPAF Awards 2009 Dale Yasukawa Memorial Scholarship

OPAF Awards 2009 Dale Yasukawa Memorial Scholarship

 
Alex Trumper
Alex Trumper

The Orthotic & Prosthetic Assistance Fund Inc. (OPAF) recently announced that Alex Trumper, CO, of Forest Park, Ill. was named the 2009 Dale Yasukawa Memorial Scholarship winner.

Trumper was selected from a panel of applicants who are all currently enrolled in the Northwestern University Orthotics & Prosthetics Program. Trumper received a check for $500 to be used toward attending his local American Academy of Orthotists and Prosthetists chapter meeting and/or a national meeting. He also may use funds to help offset schooling costs.

“It is a great honor to receive the OPAF Dale Yasukawa Memorial Fund Scholarship. I was fortunate to help out as an instructor with an OPAF First Swim Clinic in Chicago, which teaches adaptive swim techniques for those with physical challenges to give them more confidence in and around water,” Trumper said in a news release.

Trumper is on the staff of Scheck & Siress Orthotics & Prosthetics in Chicago and currently works to complete the 250 clinical hours necessary to receive his prosthetic certification. He also has volunteered with the nonprofit organization Range of Motion Project, whose goal is to provide artificial limbs and orthotic braces to those who do not have access to these services.

In December 2008, the Academy selected Trumper’s resident research study, “Effect of Foot Plate Length and Rocker Bottom Shoe on Heart Rate in Normal Subjects Using a Solid Ankle Foot Orthosis,” as Best of Resident Research Series and published the study on the its Web site.

“We are pleased to award this ongoing scholarship to Alex and know that he will work to continue the goals that Dale Yasukawa set forth for giving back to your community and a commitment to the O&P field,” Robin Burton, OPAF executive director, said. “The OPAF board of directors believes in these goals and take them as part of our mission.”

Purdue Pharma Donates $5000 to ACA

The Amputee Coalition of America (ACA) announced Purdue Pharma as a patron sponsor with a generous commitment of $5000 to support the ACA’s programs and services. Purdue Pharma is a privately held pharmaceutical company founded by physicians and is focused on meeting the needs of health care providers and patients in their care.

“The ACA shares Purdue Pharma’s goal of finding solutions to alleviate suffering for amputees,” Kendra Calhoun, ACA president and chief executive officer said in a press release. “We are thrilled to have the support of a company that is working to alleviate pain that is so often felt by those who experience limb loss, whether through surgery or trauma.”

Purdue Pharma president and chief executive officer, John H. Stewart was pleased and proud to play a part in supporting the ACA.

“Purdue Pharma and the ACA both recognize the necessity of proper pain care to avoid and alleviate unnecessary suffering,” Stewart said. “This sponsorship embodies our longstanding commitment to ensuring proper pain management and access to care for the thousands of amputees suffering from chronic, debilitating pain.”

Purdue also supports the ACA’s mission to advocate for the rights of people with limb loss, especially its efforts to ensure that these individuals have access to quality pain care.

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