Tag: United Spinal Association

KEW GARDENS, N.Y. - United Spinal Association has named Vincenzo Piscopo as president and CEO. Piscopo, a wheelchair user who was paralyzed from a herniated disk in 2010, previously worked at The Coca-Cola Company for 25 years in a variety of strategic roles both in the U.S. and internationally, most recently as community and stakeholder relations director, where he managed and cultivated company relationships with disability, veteran and Hispanic organizations and advocates. “With the help...

NEW YORK - The United Spinal Association and the Department of Rehabilitation Science and Technology at the University of Pittsburgh have co-developed a new app that informs and encourages consumers and their families to play an active role in buying, using and maintaining their manual wheelchairs. “As a national nonprofit serving people with spinal cord injuries and disorders, we know how important having a properly fitted manual wheelchair is in pursuing a healthy, active and independent...

NEW YORK - United Spinal Association has named six new members to its board of directors. They are: Carina Ho, accessibility specialist, Airbnb; Minna Hong, disability advisory board, Delta; Andraea LaVant, president, LaVant Consulting; Chris O'Donoghue, Emmy winning general assignment reporter; Reveca Torres, co-director ReelAbilities Film Festival; and Renee Tyree, west regional pharmacy director, Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospitals. “United Spinal strives to build diverse perspectives...

NEW YORK - United Spinal Association will hold its 7th Annual Chapter Leadership Meeting Oct. 3-5 in Las Vegas. The meeting of more than 50 chapter leaders will help the organization identify critical needs within the spinal cord injuries and disorders community. This year's meeting also will highlight how chapters can build membership, partnerships and community engagement; and will feature a “Creativity Award” that will be presented to a chapter that has found creative ways to connect...

WASHINGTON - The United Spinal Association's Roll on Capitol Hill, June 23-26, resulted in a record 250 visits with congressional offices, says Alexandra Bennewith.“That's the most we've ever done,” said Bennewith, vice president, government relations. “We had more than 100 advocates from more than 30 states, plus Puerto Rico. It was excellent.”The annual advocacy event addresses the issues that impact the health, independence and quality of life of individuals living with...

WASHINGTON - The United Spinal Association will hold its annual “Roll on Capitol Hill” June 23-26. The event is United Spinal's annual legislative advocacy event to addresses issues that impact the health, independence and quality of life of individuals living with spinal cord injuries and disorders, including disabled veterans. Highlights of the conference include a welcome reception on June 23, an advocacy education and expo day on June 24 and a congressional awards reception on June...

Catharina Modahl Nilsson has been appointed executive vice president, research & development, for Permobil Group. She will oversee innovation, product development and cost position within power wheelchairs, manual wheelchairs, seating solutions and power assist devices, overseeing the newly formed Global Research and Development function. Nilsson joins Permobil following a long career from the Scania Group and most recently the Traton Group, where she held various senior management positions within...

WASHINGTON - The Access & Care Coalition, led by the United Spinal Association, has retained a lobbying group to boost efforts to prevent expanding competitive bidding to ostomy and urological supplies, according to a bulletin from AAHomecare. A June MedPAC report included recommendations to include the two product categories in Medicare's bid program. The coalition is part of a coordinated effort by AAHomecare, consumers and other stakeholders who believe that a proactive approach against the recommendation...

WASHINGTON - Two lawmakers were recognized for their work on behalf of people with disabilities and veterans during the United Spinal Association's Roll on Capitol Hill this week. Sen. Johnny Isakson, R-Ga., received the 2018 James J. Peters Distinguished Veterans Legislator Award; and Sen. Tammy Baldwin, D-Wis., received the 2018 Outstanding Congressional Leadership Award. Two other awards were handed out at the event: Gretchelle Dilan received the 2018 Outstanding Community Service Award; and Earle...

WASHINGTON - AAHomecare has partnered with several patient organizations, including the United Spinal Association, the United Ostomy Associations of America and the Spina Bifida Association, to produce a white paper on why the competitive bidding program should not be expanded to include urologicals and ostomy supplies. Both the president's budget and the Medicare Payment and Advisory Committee have referenced such a possibility. “The danger of expanding the competitive bidding program to ostomy...