What is it?

  About OAB
    History
    Services
    Officers
    Affiliations

  Membership

  Meetings
    Boston
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    Urostomy

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  For Our ETs

   Privacy Policy

 History:

The Ostomy Association of Boston began in 1952 when 9 women who had undergone ileostomy surgery met to help each other to learn to live with it. In those days, doctors would fit patients with an appliance and then send him or her home to figure out how to cope. There were no enterostomal therapists. No nurses specialized in enterostomal care. Through the pioneering efforts of those ten women who helped each other, OAB grew, began to include men; and the field of enterostomal therapy was born. OAB’s mission then, as it is now, is for those who have been through the adjustment to this often life-saving surgery, to help others by encouragement, support, and information.

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Services:
OAB is dedicated to the complete rehabilitation of people of all ages who have had either an ostomy or continent diversion. We are committed to providing mutual aid, information, education and advocacy for the highest possible standard of medical attention and patient aftercare by offering:

• Monthly meetings with knowledgeable speakers and mutual aid sessions
• Opportunities to talk with people with common interests and concerns
• Hospital and home visitors
• Informational literature
• Educational services to nurses, physicians, social workers, students, etc.

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Officers & Board of Directors:
 

Officers
President	Beth Meltzer Abelow
Vice President	Debra Florio
Treasurer	Jerry Werther
Secretary	Pauline Deschenes
Immediate Past President	Eve Rowell, MD
Board of Directors
2003-2005
Sterling Alam	Dr. Micheline Federman
Ruth Parr	Ron Titlebaum
Fred Manasse
2004-2006
Keith Lawrence	Lisa Scanzillo

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Affiliations:
 

United Ostomy Association
The national voluntary health organization dedicated to assisting people with intestinal or urinary tract diversions. UOA has over 500 chapters in the United States.

International Ostomy Association
The UOA is a charter member of the IOA which was formed in 1974 and is comprised of national ostomy associations with active chapters from 32 countries around the world.

Friends of Ostomates Worldwide - U.S.A.
FOW-USA is a non-profit organization staffed entirely by volunteers who are committed to sending ostomy products and literature worldwide to those who are in need. They collect surplus ostomy equipment from suppliers, ostomy chapters, ET/WOCNurses, individuals, etc. and donate them to ostomates worldwide.

American Cancer Society
The American Cancer Society, Massachusetts Division, Inc. provides the OAB with office space and many available support services.

Massachusetts Health Council
An organization of 120 professional and consumer health-related groups which serves as an information exchange, a public forum and advocacy catalyst.

 

Last updated June 16, 2004

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