The Orthotic and Prosthetic Assistance Fund Inc. (OPAF) has received a $500 donation from Jeff Brandt, CPO, president and owner of Ability Prosthetics & Orthotics of Gettysburg, Pa. The donation is in memory of Dale Yasukawa, CP and will help sustain the OPAF Dale Yasukawa Memorial Fund Scholarship Program. The fund was established in 2001 to benefit a Northwestern University student enrolled in the orthotics and prosthetics program.
Yasukawa, who died in November 2001 at the age of 43, served as director of prosthetics at the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago (RIC) in the department of prosthetic-orthotic clinical services. Yasukawa was involved in the Midwest chapter of the American Academy of Orthotists and Prosthetists for more than 7 years, completing his service as immediate past president in 2001.
Yasukawa had been both an RIC colleague and a mentor to Brandt.
“One of the most notable attributes of Dale was his consistent, honest nature, not to mention his dedication to the orthotics and prosthetics profession,” Brandt said in an OPAF press release. “This donation not only allows us to give to the profession by supporting an excellent training program, it also allows us to honor a great person.”
This scholarship program is currently open to all full-time certificate candidates enrolled in Northwestern University’s Prosthetic Orthotic Center. The chief purpose of the scholarship is to encourage student participation in the annual meeting of the Midwest chapter. It is expected that the award will be used specifically to defray registration fees and assist in the purchasing of books, supplies and equipment needed for ongoing studies at Northwestern University’s Prosthetic Orthotic Center.
“I had the pleasure of serving with Dale on the Midwest chapter of the Academy board and am pleased that OPAF is able to continue honoring his memory through the generous support of people like Jeff Brandt,” said OPAF president Michael Burton. “Many people throughout the O&P community now make donations to OPAF in lieu of sending flowers in memory of a friend or family member. OPAF acknowledges all of these donations to the families and has received nice comments back with gratitude that their family member has been remembered in such a special way.”
