Hanger Orthopedic Group recently held its annual Education Fair in Reno, Nev. where nearly 900 clinicians gathered to learn about the most advanced rehabilitative solutions in the world. More than 120 exhibitors with 340 representatives also participated in the conference. During the opening ceremony on Feb. 3, 2011, nine inspirational pediatric patients shared stories of overcoming adversity, and soldiers who lost limbs while fighting in the Iraq and Afghanistan wars were honored, according to a press release.
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| Hanger patient Mark Ormrod speaking during the opening ceremony. | |
| Image: Hanger Orthopedic Group |
Several special awards were given throughout the conference, and an auction was held to benefit the Hanger Ivan R. Sabel Foundation and its charitable efforts in Haiti.
Among the soldiers honored was Hanger patient and British Royal Marine Mark Ormrod. On Dec. 24, 2007 during his tour of duty in Afghanistan, Ormrod stepped on a landmine and lost both legs and his right arm in the blast. Now, Ormrod is thriving with prosthetic technology and even recently joined a team that ran coast to coast across America as part of a charity challenge called The Gumpathon.
Two Lifetime Achievement Awards were granted by Hanger Orthopedic Group leadership on Feb. 5, 2011, to Hanger practitioner Hugh Panton, CPO, FAAOP of Orlando, Fla. and SPS president Ron May of Alpharetta, Ga.
“The Hanger Education Fair is an opportunity for us to gather as the Hanger family to celebrate our successes and to communicate our goals for the coming year,” Rick Taylor, Hanger Prosthetics and Orthotics president, stated in a press release. “Equally, if not more important, is the quality of the clinical education and training that takes place during the Education Fair. Additionally, it’s a chance to renew old friendships and to make new ones in an upbeat and uplifting environment.”
