About Us ======== OandPEdu.com was developed by a dedicated group of professionals with the education and the experience to bring you the most up-to-date, innovative and practical information in all aspects of the DMEPOS and O&P industry. Our courses have been accepted by the Board of Certification/Accreditation, International (BOC) and the American Board for Certification in Orthotics and Prosthetics (ABC). We offer entry level training, advanced learning, and scientific classes to meet your continuing education requirements and prepare you for upcoming examinations. List of Instructors and Authors =============================== Minerva Mendoza MBA, CHC, CDME, COF --------------------- **Consultants PRN – San Antonio, TX** Minerva Mendoza has 20+ years of experience in the DMEPOS industry. Since 1996, she has served small to large DMEPOS providers in roles such as Operations Manager, Licensure, Medicare/Medicaid Enrollment Manager and Director of Billing. Minerva’s value-adding skills and specialties include provider compliance, education, reimbursement, licensure, enrollment and credentialing. Minerva served as an onsite Facility Accreditation Surveyor with The Board of Certification/Accreditation (BOC) and continued as an Item Writer for the CDME certification exam. She received a Bachelors in Business Management from the University of Phoenix and a Masters in Business Administration from the University of Incarnate Word. She is certified in Health Care Compliance through HCCA and holds a CDME and COF certification through the BOC. Allison Blaha, BA, C.Ped, Certified Personal Fitness Trainer ----------------------------------------------------------- **The Foot Comfort Store - Vista, CA** Allison Blaha began her career in the foot care industry after receiving a BA in Athletic Training from Lewis University in 1985. She is a Certified Personal Fitness Trainer, as well as a Certified Pedorthist by both the American Board for Certification (ABC) and the Board of Orthotist/Prosthetist Certification (BOC). At her facility, she does shoe modifications (both external and internal) for a variety of foot and biomechanical complaints. Additionally, Allison frequently leads workshops on topics ranging from simple solutions for diabetic foot conditions to common foot conditions and shoe fitting techniques. Dr Brett Qualls, DPT ------------- **Consultants PRN - Redding, CA** Dr. Brett Qualls, Doctor of Physical Therapy, was born and raised in rural Northern California. Brett received his Bachelor's degree in Sports Sciences with an emphasis in Sports Medicine in 2005 and his Doctorate in Physical Therapy in 2007, both from University of the Pacific. Brett's clinical interests include sports medicine, neurological rehabilitation and general orthopedics. Brett has worked in a private outpatient physical therapy practice for the past 2.5 years. His current clinical practice includes working predominantly with patients with musculoskeletal and neuromuscular disorders. When not in the clinic, Brett enjoys snowboarding, road biking, hiking, spending time with friends/family, and travel. Benjiman Hewlett, CO, BOCO ------------- **Rx Positive - Yuma, Arizona** Ben is the director of Orthotic services at a full service durable medical equipment supplier in Yuma, Arizona. His duties include patient care, training supervisor and mentor. He has 11 years' experience as a practitioner and specializes in spinal, knees and diabetic foot care. Charlye Tran, CPO ---------------- Charlye Tran, CPO is a certified prosthetist/orthotist from New York, NY. She has been a practitioner for over 5 years. She completed her prosthetics residency in New York, NY focusing on lower limb prosthetics. She did her orthotic residency at the Connecticut Children's Medical Center in Hartford working with patients with musculoskeletal and neuromuscular disorders. Charlye also works at Footprints Around the World on programs to give amputees in developing countries access to prosthetics. Gail Schilling, RN, BSN, CMOF ------------- **Consultants PRN - Redding, CA** Gail is a registered nurse with over 35 years experience, and has been a co-owner of a DMEPOS business. She is an AAPC Certified Professional Coder (CPC) and is working on her CPC-H (hospital outpatient coding) certification. For the last seven years she has worked in medical bill review and medical record auditing for a National company. She has also worked in acute care, long term care, home care and in medical bill review areas. Harry "JR" Brandt, Jr., C.O., R.T.O. ------------- **Consultants PRN - Auburn, CA.** JR has been in the industry since 1988. JR was an Operations Manager for Shriners Hospital for twelve years. He actively participated in the design phase of Shriners Hospital for Children in Northern California, where he developed and managed the fiscal financial management for the Orthotics/Prosthetics Departments. He implemented the pediatric prosthetic and burn face mask production programs. As a coordinator for departmental and interdepartmental patient information system, he assisted with the training of hospital staff in its use. James Hewlett, CO, BOCO ------------- **Consultants PRN - Yuma, Arizona** Jim is a Board Certified Orthotist, by both the ABC (American Board for Certification) and the BOC (Board of Orthotist/Prosthetist Certification). He has owned and operated an HME, a wholesale oxygen company, and his own practice in Orthotics and Prosthetics. He was a director and past president of a multi-location, independent Healthcare organization for more than 10 years. His responsibilities included facility accreditation, continuing education and HIPAA compliance. Jim stays up-to-date with the industry as an associate member of American Academy of Orthotists and Prosthetists (AOPA), the Orthotic and Prosthetic Group of America (OPGA) and has served as an item writer on the BOC committee developing their Orthotist Certification exams. He is an on-site surveyor for the BOC and has completed the CLEAR-NCIT and BOC training for Accreditation On-Site surveying. Jim has served as Chairman of the Board of Directors with BOC since December 2014. John Kenny, BOCO -------------- **Vice President, Ongoing Care Solution/NeuroFlex** John is a Certified Orthotist and practitioner. His skills and knowledge have made a positive difference with his patients and many practitioners throughout the country. He has a Bachelor's degree from The University of California Santa Cruz, and Master's degree from The University of Hawaii and over 20 years as a healthcare executive. He holds seven U.S. patents for orthotic devices that have benefited tens of thousands of patients. He has been involved in O & P education and his educational courses on contracture management and rehabilitating knee braces have helped thousands of practitioners. Joseph Lapinski ------------- Jo is an American Board Certified Prosthetist, Board of Certification Prosthetist and Orthotist and a Licensed Prosthetist Orthotist in Georgia, and Ohio. He is a graduate of New York University’s Orthotic and Prosthetic program at the Post Graduate School of Medicine in New York City with over 30 years' experience. He has been a Video Reviewer for BOC, on their Item Writers Exam Committee and was a Site Surveyor for Facility Accreditation. An amputee himself, he ably provides compassionate service to fellow amputees and those with related afflictions. Margy Imlay, BA, CMF, CFm -------------------------- **Just Like a Woman, Portland Oregon** Margy is a health educator with 20 years' experience in the field of post mastectomy care. Margy has a Bachelor's degree from The University of North Texas and is also a Certified Mastectomy Fitter by both the ABC and the BOC, and a Certified Cancer Exercise Specialist. Margy states, "I believe women deserve to be treated with the utmost dignity at every stage of life or health challenge." Steve Hill, CO -------------------------- Steve Hill has been in O&P since May of 1982 and teaching since 1994. He is President and CEO of Delphi Ortho, Secretary and founding board member of OPTA (Orthotic Prosthetic Technological Association) and serves on the O&P Almanac Advisory Board. He has written dozens of Technicians Corner articles for the O&P Almanac and four featured articles for various industry magazines. With over five years' experience reviewing BOC Video Practical Exams and a term on BOC's Item Writing Committee, Steve has developed an excellent working knowledge of practitioner/technician problems and challenges. Also, after serving more than 20 years of bench time at a successful orthotic central fabrication facility, Steve has mastered many technical tricks of the trade. This gives him an intimate understanding of mold rectification, plastic thermoforming, plastic finishing and metal bending. Wayne Rosen, CPO, CPed, FAAOP -------------------------- **Licensed by the State of Florida** **Fellow American Academy of Orthotist/Prosthetist** Wayne Rosen has been practicing in South Florida for the past 25 years. He spent the first 5 years at University of Miami-Jackson Medical Center as the Chief Orthotist. His duties included patient care, lecturing in and outside of Florida, as well as publishing Journal articles. He has been in private practice for 23 years servicing the Tri-County area. He received his BSc. degree from CUNY-Brooklyn College and completed his Orthotic, Prosthetic and Pedorthic education at the Postgraduate Medical School at New York University. His clinical training was completed at The Institute of Rehabilitation of New York (the Rusk Institute). Wayne is board-certified in all three disciplines: Orthotics, Prosthetics and Pedorthics by The American Board for Certification and by the Board for Orthotist and Prosthetist International Certification. He is also Licensed by the State of Florida in all three disciplines.