Northwestern University Prosthetic-Orthotics Center (NUPOC) announced that John Michael, CPO, will retire from its directorship in 2019. He will continue as a clinical educator in NUPOC’s Master’s of Prosthetics and Orthotics (MPO) program. A new director will be selected later this year; Michael will contribute his professional expertise throughout the transition.

Michael was appointed associate director of NUPOC in 2009. He managed the 2010 merger between the Northwestern University Prosthetics Research Laboratory and NUPOC. Working with the Feinberg School of Medicine and national accrediting institutions, Michael guided NUPOC’s O&P curriculum transition from a certificate program to an MPO program in 2013.

Michael’s education and research credits include co-editing and writing chapters for several major textbooks, authoring more than 50 peer-reviewed articles, presenting at numerous national and international professional conferences, and teaching students and experienced clinicians in classes and workshops.

He has served the O&P profession nationally and internationally as past president of the American Academy of Orthotists and Prosthetists (the Academy), as honorary secretary of the International Society for Prosthetics and Orthotics (ISPO) and as chair, chair emeritus, and treasurer of the U.S. Member Society of ISPO. In addition, he has served on numerous committees of the American Orthotic & Prosthetic Association, the American Board for Certification in Orthotics, Prosthetics & Pedorthics, and on the advisory boards of several industry publications. He has received the Academy’s Outstanding Clinician Award (1992), the Distinguished Practitioner Award (1997), and the Outstanding Researcher Award (2007). In 2010, Michael was presented with the Academy’s highest honor: the Titus-Ferguson Lifetime Achievement Award.

Michael, a graduate of NUPOC, said he plans to retire in a few years and asserts that this year is an ideal opportunity to ensure leadership continuity at NUPOC. “I want to secure NUPOC’s progress in P&O education and research well into the future,” he said.

Editor’s note: This story was adapted by materials provided by R. J. Garrick, PhD, project director, resource unit for information and education services, NUPOC.