​It would be an understatement to say that 2020 has been unprecedented – in fact, we hear that term so much that it hardly seems apt anymore to begin to describe the last 12 months. COVID-19 has been the grim centerpiece of much of that year, and, like many nonprofits, JOF has had to work hard to keep serving our constituents in this continually challenging environment.

However, thanks to you – our volunteers, donors, sponsors, students, preceptors, and team – we have weathered this storm. And we’re proud to say that we still managed to accomplish a fair amount.

We're thrilled to report that Sunday's Third Annual Canes Film Festival & Gala was a success! We're so grateful for everyone who attended our first virtual event, along with our wonderful sponsors, and silent auction bidders and auction-item donors!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE ​

Jackson Orthopedic Foundation’s Third Annual Canes Film Festival & Gala Celebrates Orthopedic Education and Health
Oakland’s newest film festival raises needed funds to train nurses to treat orthopedic patients

October 20, 2020, Oakland, California — Canes is coming! And despite the challenges of COVID-19, the show must go on!
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Following two very successful in-person events in 2018 and 2019, Jackson Orthopedic Foundation (JOF) will celebrate orthopedic health education virtually at its 3rd Annual Canes Film Festival & Gala on Sunday, November 8, 2020, from 4 to 5:30 p.m. PST on Zoom and YouTube. This year’s festival theme is “The Show Must Go On”— because we simply can’t be sidelined by the current health crisis! 

While the headlines have been full of COVID and the election of late, there’s one story that will likely stand out to California nurse practitioners: AB 890. 
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Assembly Bill 890 was signed into law by Gov. Gavin Newsom on September 29 and makes California the 23rd state in the U.S. to offer Full Practice Authority (FPA) to NPs. It goes into effect in January 2023, with implementation details to be developed over the next two years. ​

Canes is coming! And this year, it’s virtual!

Plan to join JOF and friends online on Sunday, November 8, 2020, 4 to 5:30 p.m. PST, for our Third Annual Canes Film Festival & Gala. This is a very special fundraising event you won’t want to miss.

We're happy to share that our six-week, summer Healthcare Immersion Program for 2020 was a success! Despite the challenges presented by COVID-19, we were able to modify the program to include both in-clinic observation and online study to make it as engaging and informative as possible for participants, organizers, and preceptors alike. 

COVID-19 has made us all re-examine how we carry on with the important things in our lives, and that includes continuing education. Like many institutions now postponing in-person classes, and rolling out online-only tuition, we’ve decided to do the same. ​

We're excited to introduce our class of 2020, who recently began our summer Healthcare Immersion Program. The program, which provides college students with a unique, clinical immersion experience in healthcare, continues this year, although we've modified it a bit to accommodate COVID-19 health and safety protocols.  As always, our students will only be observers in low-risk outpatient, orthopedic, elective care. and classroom settings.

This year's students are: Mahnoor Yousuf, Roxie Wiblin, Christian Roy, and Sarah Shandy. Our program coordinator once again is Jacob Geier.

Our nurses are in trouble. Due to the COVID-19 health crisis, many nurses who treat patients living with muscle, bone and joint disorders are having their pay cut, or being laid off or furloughed. Orthopedic procedures have been canceled or delayed, and some medical practices have been forced to close.

​Before COVID-19, there was a growing concern that many individuals who suffer from osteoporosis had experienced adverse issues with prescribed medications, and were therefore avoiding seeking treatment. ​ Now, with the disruption to the health system by the pandemic, the situation has only gotten more complicated, and potentially dangerous, for these patients.

For that reason we thought it would be good to update our article from last year to include new clinical guidance on managing osteoporosis patients that takes the so-called "new normal" into account.