More than 1,100 Hanger employees, including more than 850 clinicians and therapists, came together to attend Hanger’s Education Fair and national business meeting February 18-22 at the Rio Hotel in Las Vegas.
The annual conference provided continuing education on orthotic, prosthetic, and therapeutic solutions, with a focus on providing patient-centered care. It was also an opportunity to recognize employee successes with awards distributed to celebrate team members.
With the theme “Remarkable Journeys,” the event spotlighted Hanger’s employees, patients, and partners. The opening ceremony kicked off with five Hanger patients sharing their personal challenges as well as a performance by eight-year-old Tessa Puma, who uses a custom-designed transfemoral prosthesis as a competitive hip-hop dancer. At the dinner and awards ceremony, Maja Kazazic shared her personal journey, which began when she was severely injured at age 16 in a bomb explosion during the Bosnian conflict and continued through her emigration to the United States, where she received orthotic and prosthetic care.
More than 150 instructors presented close to 100 courses throughout the week, and for the second year, the Education Fair featured a full day of clinical keynote sessions delivered by physicians, scientists, and therapists from major medical institutions across the country. These included presentations on clinical outcomes measurement and utilization within O&P, and innovations that are taking O&P into the future, from telemedicine applications in amputation care to neurally integrated assistive technology.
This year’s event also included the sixth annual “Women in Leadership” series, designed to foster women’s career growth and engagement at Hanger. This year’s offerings included a workshop on unconscious bias and a panel of women leaders at Hanger.
With more than 115 exhibits and over 370 exhibitor representatives, the education fair included O&P members and manufacturers demonstrating the latest in O&P and rehabilitative technology. Several supplier partners were recognized at the sixth annual Hanger partner awards for their role in manufacturing products.
