United Spinal President Paul J. Tobin Honored with Academy of Spinal Cord Injury Professionals Leadership Award

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Mar 22, 2013, 01:31 ET

NEW YORK, March 22, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- United Spinal president and CEO, Paul J. Tobin, has been selected as the recipient of the 2013 Academy of Spinal Cord Injury Professionals (ASCIP) Leadership Award for his tireless work in advancing the needs of people living with spinal cord injuries and disorders (SCI/D).

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ASCIP is a not for profit interdisciplinary organization devoted to improving care of people living with spinal cord injuries through sharing knowledge and expertise.

"It is a great pleasure to name Paul as the recipient of the 2013 ASCIP Leadership Award. Paul has demonstrated outstanding national leadership in the field of SCI/D through the development of high quality programs, public policy, community advocacy and promotion of expertise among professionals in the field. He is truly deserving of this honor," said Steven Kirshblum, MD, president of ASCIP.

"I urge individuals with disabilities everywhere to continue the tradition of service that is the legacy of United Spinal and its membership, which is to continually challenge the limitations imposed by attitudes, medical technology, society and government," said Tobin.

Under Tobin's leadership, United Spinal and National Spinal Cord Injury Association officially merged in 2011, bringing together over 125 years of history serving the spinal cord injury and disability community and currently representing over 35,000 members nationwide.

Other additions under Tobin's leadership are:

acquisition of New Mobility Magazine, a publication dedicated to active lifestyle matters and products for people with disabilities; and
the addition of UsersFirst, a program to advocate for enlightened public policies regarding the capacity of people with disabilities and help people with disabilities make informed choices regarding durable medical equipment.

Tobin has invested and continues to invest much energy into collaboration with organizations serving the needs of the spinal cord injury/disease community and of people with disabilities in general.

Tobin and United Spinal played a leading role in the formation of Spinal Cord Leaders Council (SCLC), a coalition representing organizations, providers and professionals serving the needs of the SCI/D community.

A United States Navy veteran, Tobin was unanimously appointed President and Chief Executive Officer of United Spinal Association in June 2006. He served as Deputy Executive Director from July 2003 and was a member of the Board of Directors from 1995 to 1996.

After sustaining a spinal cord injury in August of 1993, Tobin underwent rehabilitation at the Castle Point (NY) Veterans Affairs Medical Center. Tobin also holds a Master's degree in Social Work from Fordham University and has pursued a Master's degree in Public Health Administration at Columbia University.

The Academy of Spinal Cord Injury Professionals is comprised of 4 professional sections: American Paraplegia Society (APS), Association of Spinal Cord Injury Nurses (ASCIN), Psychologists and Social Workers (PSW) and Therapy Leadership Council (TLC).

About United Spinal Association
United Spinal is a national 501(c) (3) nonprofit membership organization formed in 1946 by paralyzed veterans and is dedicated to improving the quality of life for all Americans with spinal cord injuries and disorders (SCI/D), including multiple sclerosis, spina bifida, ALS and post-polio. It played a significant role in writing the Americans with Disabilities Act, and made important contributions to the Fair Housing Amendments Act and the Air Carrier Access Act. Membership is free and is open to all individuals with SCI/D. United Spinal was instrumental in getting New York City to create sidewalk curb ramps and accessible public transportation that has been used as a model for many United States cities.

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Paul Tobin
http://www.profnetconnect.com/paul_tobin

James Weisman
http://www.profnetconnect.com/jim_weisman

SOURCE United Spinal Association