AOPA Press Release Archives
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Jacob Strauss
jstrauss@AOPAnet.org
(571) 431-0876, ext. 261
AOPA Names Thomas F. Fise as New Executive Director
“Fise is armed with the experience to fight for O&P’s interests,” said Ted Snell, CP, president of AOPA. “His extensive legislative and regulatory experience will be a tremendous asset for AOPA. He will help AOPA work to receive favorable treatment from Congress, CMS and other regulatory bodies, while maintaining the role of the O&P professionals.”
In addition to ongoing broad-based management responsibilities, Fise will spend some of his time lobbying actively on behalf of O&P, and continue to raise the profile of the O&P profession in the face of falling reimbursements, competitive bidding, encroachment, and other challenges.
“I look forward to serving not only AOPA but the entire profession,” said Fise. “I’ll work hard to provide AOPA members with both sound management and vision, together with the most significant benefits and strong representation on Capitol Hill, while building a stronger, more unified voice for O&P.”
Fise, an attorney with extensive non-profit trade and professional management organization experience, joins AOPA from an association management company where he served as owner and principal. In that capacity he worked simultaneously as executive director of ten different physician organizations in the fields of cardiovascular surgery, general surgery and plastic surgery, as well as the executive director of the American College of Gastroenterology (ACG). While at ACG, Fise assisted in excellent growth from 2,300 members to over 9,000, and from an annual budget of $500,000 to over $20 million. He was also instrumental in the creation and enactment of various Medicare benefits including the colorectal screening benefit in 1997.
Fise also gained direct experience with Congressional processes relating to CMS and the FDA while serving as regulatory counsel for the American Dental Trade Association, beginning in 1976.
Fise holds a J.D. degree from the University of Maryland and a Master of Laws degree from George Washington University in Washington, D.C. He lives in Maryland with his wife, Mary Ellen, and has two sons.
ABOUT AOPA: The American Orthotic & Prosthetic Association (AOPA), based in Alexandria, Virginia, is the largest non-profit organization dedicated to helping O&P businesses and professionals navigate the multitude of business issues surrounding the delivery of patient care. With nearly 2,000 members, AOPA has a nationwide presence within the O&P community. AOPA serves the O&P profession with consistent representation on Capitol Hill, premier publications, high-quality coding products, expert reimbursement guidance and a full slate of education programs on O&P-specific issues. Contact AOPA at (571) 431-0876 or visit the AOPA Web site at www.AOPAnet.org.