Current Pedorthics | March-April 2013 | Vol. 45, Issue 2 | Page 15

PFA Board Members Join Regional Councils to Assist With Regulations Affecting Pedorthics Nationwide Recently, the PFA Board of Directors unanimously voted to seek membership on each of the four DME Association regional councils to assist with Medicare issue directly affecting the pedorthic industry. After the recent success of PFA’s Government Affairs Committee in working to reverse the new AFO height requirement in the AFO-KAFO medical policy, PFA has been encouraged to continue this successful networking to make sure current changes to Medicare, private insurance and health care benefit practicing pedorthists and the industry. All members are encouraged to join their regional council, as well as consider volunteering to help PFA increase awareness on both the state, regional and federal levels on issues affecting practice and use of pedorthics in health care. If you are interested, contact PFA at [email protected] to volunteer or for contact information if you would like to become a member of your DME Association regional council. A listing of PFA’s regional representatives will be posted shortly on the PFA website in the members’ only section. PFA Annual Strategic Planning Meeting Set for March 9 The PFA Board of Director’s Strategic Planning Meeting is scheduled for March 9th in McLean, Virginia. This meeting, to be held at PFA’s National Office, is designed to assist board members and management with focusing on the issues, direction and goals necessary to keep PFA active and relevant in the changing business climate. Along with defining long-term and short-term goals, all aspects both internally and externally will be discussed to create a fixed working guideline to help direct current and future board members on the continuing growth of the association. If you should have any concerns or ideas you feel the board needs to be aware of, please contact PFA at [email protected]. PFA Membership Dues to Increase May 1 Effective May 1, 2013, PFA membership dues will increase $35 on all levels of membership. This increase recently voted in by the Board of Directors, is to help assist in representing and increasing the presence of the pedorthist and the pedorthic community as allied health professionals. As the only professional membership association specifically focusing on pedorthics and the pedorthics profession, PFA continues to promote the interests of certified and/or licensed pedorthist, and to help them enhance their effectiveness and efficiency through educational opportunities; increase demand for their services through marketing; and defends the credentialed pedorthist’s right to practice through government affairs activities. This is the first dues increase PFA has had in at least seven years, and still remains one of the most inexpensive professional membership organizations in the health profession. PFA to Sponsor and Exhibit at Wisconsin Athletic Trainer’s Association Annual Symposium In its ongoing efforts to increase the exposure and awareness of the pedorthic profession and PFA’s members, PFA is sponsoring a workshop on gait analysis and footwear that PFA member Kyle Roberts, C. Ped., is presenting at the Wisconsin Athletic Trainer’s Association’s (WATA) 2013 Annual Meeting and Symposium. In addition, PFA Board Member John Shero will be manning an exhibit booth at the WATA Symposium, which runs April 11 – 13 in Wisconsin Dells, WI. This annual event draws some 300 sports medicine professionals, most of whom are Certified Athletic Trainers, as well as about 150 Athletic Trainer students. If you are planning to attend the WATA Symposium, please stop by the PFA booth to say hello to one of your board members. Current Pedorthics March/April 2013 13