Amoena USA, which makes various mastectomy care products, will co-host a new Post-Mastectomy education track at this year’s American Orthotic & Prosthetic Association (AOPA) National Assembly.
The track marks the first time in 10 years that post-mastectomy education has been offered at the National Assembly, which takes place Sept. 28-Oct. 1 in San Antonio, Texas.
Amoena’s National Trainer, Rachel Brown, CMF, CFm, will open the two-day Post-Mastectomy session and present on topics including the breast surgery patient journey and making your practice more profitable and more visible in your community. She will also participate in a panel discussion of how to respond to surgical trends and advances alongside other breast care consultants, mastectomy fitters and business owners.
“Post-mastectomy care is reaching new levels of innovation right now, and we see enthusiasm for it from newly-trained O&P students,” Brown said, adding that it’s a healthcare field that requires compassion first and foremost, as well as education and experience. “We are thrilled to bring our breast care expertise to O&P practitioners who are considering adding Post-Mastectomy to their facilities, as well as to those certified fitters who’ve led in the field for a long time.”
Post-mastectomy in O&P is not always fully understood by traditional O&P practitioners, according to Kevin Ostwald, president of Amoena USA.
“If we can help educate them and they choose to add it, the O&P facility can improve their bottom line and serve more people in their community,” he said.
This fall’s National Assembly also marks a return to in-person meetings and education.
“Through its National Assemblies, AOPA is committed to providing robust education that enables O&P professionals to provide the best care possible, said Eve Lee, AOPA’s executive director. “That is why the Assembly Planning Committee and staff determined it was critical to create the two-day Post Mastectomy track at the 2022 National Assembly. We are excited about how the track has come together and know that mastectomy fitters will leave better informed and inspired.”