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Name that tune!

Can you name the tunes to which these phrases refer?

Hint - They are all Christmas songs!!

1. Move hitherward the entire assembly of those who are loyal in their belief
2. Embellish interior passageways
3. Vertically challenged adolescent percussionist
4. First person singular experiencing a hallucinatory phenomenon of a Natal celebration devoid of color
5. Its arrival occurred at twelve o'clock on a clement night
6. Soundless nocturnal period
7. Majestic triplet referred to in the first person plural
8. The Yuletide occurrence preceding all others
9. Precious metal musical devices
10. Omnipotent supreme being elicit respite to ecstatic distinguished males
11. Caribou with vermillion olfactory appendage
12. Allow crystalline formations to descend
13. Jovial yuletide desired for the second person singular or plural by the first person plural
14. Bipedal traveling through an amazing acreage during the period between December 21st and March 21st
15. Exclamatory remark concerning a diminutive municipality in Judea southwest of Jerusalem

Answers will be posted at a later date!!

Let's Say Thank You!

As the holiday season approaches, it would be nice to remember those that won't be home for Christmas this year. If you go to this web site, http://www.letssaythanks.com/ you can pick out a thank you card and Xerox will print it and it will be sent to a soldier that is currently serving in Iraq . The cards have been drawn by children across the country, and they are wonderful! You can't pick out who gets it, but it will go to a member of the armed services. How AMAZING it would be if we could get everyone we know to send one!!! It is FREE and it only takes a second. Wouldn't it be wonderful if the soldiers received a bunch of these? Whether you are for or against the war, our soldiers over there need to know we are behind them. This takes just 10 seconds and it's a wonderful way to say thank you. Please take the time and please take the time to pass it on for others to do. We can never say enough thank you's. Thanks for taking to time to support our military!

Alliance O & P wins raffle!!

Congratulations to Jammy Sheppard of Alliance O & P!!! She had the winning raffle ticket for the heavy duty embroidered duffle bag. Thanks to Jammy, Phyllis McNiel, Alan and Mike for being great customers.

Rachel Schroder, SPC Student

Introducing Rachel Schroder, an O & P student at the J.E. Hanger College of Orthotics and Prosthetics at St Petersburg College. She is in her junior year. After graduating, Rachel plans to stay in the Tampa Bay area, working as a practitioner. Rachel has a love for animals, particularly horses, and owns Keystone Quarters, a stable in Tarpon Springs. She would like to combine her love and O & P knowledge by working with animals that require prosthetics or orthotics. One day she may turn a portion of her stable into a rehab for horses.

And the winner is....

The winning ticket number for the Heavy Duty Duffle Bag is 564193.

If you have the winning ticket, please call Cheryl at 1-800-940-5347 or email at cheryl@gpfinc.com to claim your prize. Thanks to all those that participated, and be on the lookout for our next give-a-way!!!

Happy Holidays

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Happy Thanksgiving

Grace Prosthetic Fabrication would like to wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving. We will be closed November 27 & 28, to allow our employees time to spend with their families during this holiday.

New Jersey AAOP Annual Meeting iPod Winner

Congratulations to Richard Ghizzone, CPO, LPO and Clinical Director of BioTech O & P, the winner of Grace Prosthetic's iPod drawing at the New Jersey AAOP Annual Meeting.

SPC Student

Joe Marasco is also one of our students this semester from the J.E. Hanger College of Orthotics and Prosthetics at St Petersburg College. He is a junior and expects to graduate in May 2010. He has been a licensed Physical Therapist Assistant since 2005, and became interested in the O & P field. Joe would also be a welcomed addition to any practice, as he's known around here as the "donut guy"!! Joe wants to eventually open a private practice one day.

SPC Student

We are pleased to introduce Cathy Cline, RN, as one of our students from The J.E. Hanger College of Orthotics and Prosthetics at St Petersburg College. Cathy lives in Tampa, but is originally from the Philadelphia area. She will be graduating in 2010. Cathy is interested in combining opportunities for patient/client treatment and education. She is very meticulous in her training and will be a great addition to the O & P field. Cathy will be looking to stay in the Tampa Bay area for her residency.

NEAAOP iPod Winner

Congratulations to Slavek Rebisz, from Cornell O & P, the winner of our iPod at the New England Chapter of the American Academy of Orthotists and Prosthetist, held in beautiful Mt Snow, VT.

Thank You... from Grace Prosthetic Fabrication

To show our appreciation to our customers,

Grace Prosthetic Fabrication is giving away an

embroidered heavy duty duffel bag.

Details as follows:

1) Your account must be in good standing

2) Place an order in November

3) Your invoice will be assigned a ticket number

4) Your ticket will be mailed with your invoice

5) If you have signed up for our "Go Green" and your invoices are emailed, the ticket number will be emailed to you.

(PS - Save $20 by signing up to "Go Green")

6) A ticket will be selected on December 5, 2008. Winning ticket number will be posted on this blog.

7) Winner must call (800-940-5347) or email (cheryl@gpfinc.com) to claim prize.

8) In the event the winner does not contact us, another ticket will be drawn on December 12, 2008.

Happy Halloween

Happy Halloween from Grace Prosthetics - and remember to be safe!!!

For the youngsters.....

Use a flashlight, so you can see and be seen by others

Stay in a group

Never cut across yards or use alleys

Never enter a stranger's home or car

Never consume unwrapped food items

For the grown-ups....

Watch out for trick 0r treaters when driving - especially in neighborhoods

If you are handing out treats, be sure to have treats suitable for various ages

Inspect the treats - make sure there are no tears or holes in the wrapper

When attending an adult Halloween party - pick a designated driver

Amazing Mom

Your chance to win!!!

Grace Prosthetic is very thankful for their customers. To show our appreciation, we're always giving away something. November is the perfect month to start off a new give-away. Check back for details!!!!!

SPC Student

Angela Revels is one of our new students at Grace Prosthetic. Angie is a senior this year. She lives in Pasco County and hopes to obtain a residency in the Tampa Bay area. Angie plans to practice both orthotics and prosthetics as she loves both disciplines. She would like to work with veterans returning from war that may have suffered traumatic brain injuries and lost extremities. We wish Angie all the best in her endeavors.

With perserverance and Grace, anything is possible

Dennis Haun, with Maryland O & P, attaching rollerblades manufactured by Grace Prosthetic, at the 2008 AOPA National Assembly in Chicago.

2008 AOPA National Assembly/Chicago

2008 AOPA National Assembly

If you thought the Oasis was fun in Las Vegas, just wait until you see us in Chicago!!!! Join us at Booth 723 for some special surprises!!

FAOP iPod Winner

Congratulations to Chrissy Stewart, CPO, from Tropical Brace & Limb in Orlando, FL, on winning an iPod from Grace Prosthetic Fabrication. All she had to do was sign up for our monthly newsletter!! Look for us in Chicago at the AOPA National Assembly, Sept 10-13, for your chance to win!!

Grace has you covered!!

It's not too late to take advantage of our July special

on AK and BK Foam covers.

10% off all AK and BK foam covers!!

Call us today to place your order at 800-940-5347 or

visit our online store at www.gpfinc.com/shop

Alabama iPod Winner!

Congratulations to Chad Myers, CO, RTO, of Eastern Shore Orthotics & Prosthetics of Fairhope, AL on winning our iPod give-away at the Alabama State Prosthetic & Orthotic Association Annual Meeting and Scientific Seminar. Be sure to stop by our booth at the FAOP/FCAAOP Annual Meeting July 24-26, 2008 to register for your chance to win!!

Grace Prosthetic's New Student

Grace Prosthetic is proud to be a part of the O & P program at St Petersburg Community College. We are pleased to introduce our latest student, Jeanine Ingui, who is a senior in the O & P Program at SPCC. Her main interest is in Prosthetics. She is currently working toward graduation, and then completion of her 2 year residency. Afterwards, she hopes to work for a veteran’s hospital, helping to provide care to injured soldiers. One day she hopes to open her own practice. Jeanine has shown great potential and we’re sure that she will have no difficulty in achieving her goals.

Happy 4th of July

Grace Prosthetic wishes everyone a safe and happy 4th of July.

Update on Winter the Dolphin

http://cosmos.bcst.yahoo.com/up/player/popup/?cl=8277206

Award winning bionic hand demonstrated

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/7443866.stm

PrimeFare East Regional Conference 2008

Congratulations to Dan Phillips, winner of our Ipod drawing at the PrimeFare East Regional Conference 2008 in Nashville, TN. Thanks to all those that signed up for our newsletter. We'll see you in Weston, FL at the FAOP meeting, July, 24-26, 2008!!

Help Grace Go Green and Earn Green!!

Grace Prosthetic Fabrication is working hard to reduce our carbon footprint!

Here's some of the things we're doing:

Emailing invoices instead of using envelopes - Save $20 off your next order if you sign up to have your invoices emailed!!

Recycling bin for aluminum cans

Recycling packing supplies (peanuts, paper)

Access to order forms and price lists online

Combine invoices to customer in one mailing if customer has not signed up to have invoices emailed

Newsletters are emailed instead of mailed

Ceiling fans used throughout facility to cut down on A/C usage

Converting paper price lists to CD

We appreciate your business! Want to help us "go green" AND save $20?? Email Cheryl at cheryl@gpfinc.com or call 800-940-LEGS (5347).

AMPUTEE SWIMMER QUALIFIES FOR 2008 SUMMER OLYMPICS

http://sports.aol.com/fanhouse/2008/05/07/amputee-swimmer-natalie-du-toit-qualifies-for-2008-summer-olympi/?icid=100214839x1201573152x1200068271

IPOD WINNER AT OHIO CHAPTER

Mark Bondurant, with Buckeye Orthopedic Design, was our iPod winner at The Ohio Chapter - AAOP meeting held in Columbus, OH. Thanks to everyone that stopped by our booth. Look for our table in Georgia at the GSOP for your next chance to win.

OHIO 2008 ANNUAL SPRING MEETING

Featured employee of the month

Ed Grace, President of Grace Prosthetic Fabrication, Inc, is our featured employee this month. In his own words, this is how it all started…..

I got into this field by accident, kind of like most people that get into O. & P. I was working as an orthopedic operating room technician in Huntington, WV, where I got to know George Parsley and Steve Hart. They were two local CPO's in the area, and they came to the O.R. regularly for Halo installations, cast bracing, and temporary immediate post surgical prosthetic fittings. I became very interested in the field, so George and Steve invited me to visit the facility. I did...and began working at Parmeco Inc. in November 1979. There I learned to fabricate prosthetics, as well as fitting and alignment. After 2 years of training, I basically took over the prosthetics at Parmeco, doing all the measuring, fitting, and fabrication, in addition to hospital calls and attending various clinics. I continued working at Parmeco for another 5 1/2 years. In 1986, I moved from WV to Orlando, FL. and worked at DOBI-Sympex in the prosthetic department and eventually became the supervisor. There I learned how central fabrication worked and how to keep the production flow going. I worked for DOBI for 2 years. After that I spent a short time as partners in another central fab. In March, 1990, along with my dad, (who had retired from the Ford Motor Company and was living in New Port Richey), opened Grace Prosthetic Fabrication, Inc. The rest is history!!!

2008 Academy Annual Meeting and Scientific Symposium held in Orlando, FL.

Unveiling our new table cover at the 2008 Academy Annual Meeting and Scientific Symposium held in Orlando, FL. Joining Tony Culver at the meeting was Todd Haller, Grace Prosthetic’s Orthotic Products Manager, to answer any questions about orthotics. We even had a rare appearance from our President, no…, not George W….., Grace Prosthetic President, Ed Grace. Ed stated that it was nice seeing old friends and putting faces with the voices he’s heard over the phone.

2008 OPAF Thranhardt Classic Golf Outing held at the Grand Cypress Golf Course in Orlando, FL. Despite the chilling wind and temperature of 38 degrees, we had a great time at this tournament. Who would have thought you needed a coat, gloves and ear muffs in Florida??
Thanks to OPAF for sponsoring a great tournament!!
Pictured: Jim Young, Amputee Prosthetic Clinic; Tony Culver, Grace Prosthetic Fabrication; Daniel Hickey, Prosthetic Research Specialists

IPOD WINNER AT AAOP 2008 ORLANDO

Congratulations to Harry Phillips with Triangle Orthopaedic Associates! He was the winner of our iPod drawing at the 34th Annual Meeting and Scientific Symposium held in Orlando, FL. Look for us at the Ohio State Meeting in Columbus, OH for your next chance to win!!!

O and P Students and Grace Prosthetics

Pictured left to right: Justin Ruechel, Jessica Imhof, Todd Haller, Anthony Martinjak

Grace Prosthetic is proud to participate in St. Petersburg College Orthotics & Prosthetic Clinic rotation program. Every semester we have new students that come to our facility to learn “hands on” experience. This semester we have three students, Justin Ruechel, Jessica Imhof and Anthony Martinjak. We are proud of these students and wanted to feature them in our blog this month.

Justin Ruechel is a senior and in his final semester at St Petersburg O & P program. He is interested in CAD/CAM technology and lower limb prosthetics. He is currently in pursuit of residency opportunities both in the state of Florida and out. He is especially excited about graduating and getting to have a positive effect on the advancement of the O & P profession.

Jessica Imhof is a junior in the Orthotic & Prosthetic program at St Petersburg College. Upon graduation, she would like to complete her residency in both Orthotics and Prosthetics. After many years of practice, she would like to give back to the O & P program by teaching at an O & P program.

Anthony Martinjak is also a junior in the O & P program at St Petersburg College. Upon graduation, he would like to do his residency out of state, perhaps in Colorado or California. He did his first clinical rotation at a local hospital, which got him interested in that aspect of the O & P field. Eventually he would like to open his own practice.