2020: a year about survival and service

​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.

Among the highlights:

• We launched our new, online-only version of Orthopedic Primary Care Courses. OPC courses are more convenient and affordable than ever, even if it will be a while before we’re able to gather in person again. Check out the courses here.
• We launched our new JOF Website, making it easier than ever to book a course, apply for our Healthcare Immersion Program, make one-time and monthly donations, participate in events, volunteer and more. And to top it off, we were proud to win two awards for the site in the eHealthcare Leadership Awards!
• Owing to the unique challenges facing orthopedic nurses this year due to COVID – clinic closures, layoffs, furloughs and more – we launched our “Our Nurses are in Trouble” campaign to fund our Dolores Beanland Nursing Scholarship Fund. This year, in addition to providing scholarships for our continuing education courses and workshops, we expanded “Beanie’s Fund” to reimburse nurses for their payment of certain licensing and certification fees.
• We held our Third-Annual Canes Film Festival & Gala. It was our first time running a virtual event, but what a brilliant time we had raising funds for our programs while showcasing MSK-related videos created by our own students. A highlight was a video montage of alumni testimonials about how JOF’s educational programs contributed to their lives, careers, and ultimately to the health of their patients. Thanks to all of you who participated, sponsored, or made Canes donations – you’re true stars!
• Despite the lack of clinical conferences across the US this year, our instructors A.J. Benham, DNP and Kathleen A. Geier, DNP still managed to present virtually this year on assessing and managing spine conditions at the Nurse Practitioners of Oregon 43rd annual conference. What a brilliant bunch of NPs, and we’re learning the unique value of this increasingly popular kind of gathering!
• We began a new phase of our research into MSK-related clinical education requirements, with a survey of NP educators around the country. If you know an FNP program director you might like to participate, see the survey here.

Know someone who’d like to support our mission? 
We’re so thankful for all you’ve done to support our mission this year. If you know someone who may want to join us in this effort, please share this blog post with them. They can support us with one-time or monthly, tax-deductible gifts.

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​We know it’s not easy out there, but we’re grateful for the support and successes we’ve enjoyed in 2020. Here’s wishing you the safest and happiest of the holiday season and a healthy 2021!