The Hanger Foundation, Austin, Texas, has created the Hanger Foundation Diversity Scholarship program as part of its commitment to diversity and inclusion in the O&P profession.
The scholarships will supplement the cost of the two-year master’s of science in prosthetics and orthotics (MSPO) program and will offer a two-year mentorship with the option of pursuing a residency with Hanger.
“Research has shown that clinicians of color are underrepresented within the O&P industry,” said Gloria Gonzales Dholakia, PhD, Hanger Foundation executive director. “It is our vision to help equip students from more diverse backgrounds with the tools they need to pursue a career in O&P.”
Beginning this fall, Hanger Foundation will issue the scholarships directly to a number of universities nationwide to help recruit underrepresented students of color into O&P.
“By aligning with the Hanger Foundation on this important initiative, Hanger is committing to help build a more inclusive profession to better serve our patients,” said Vinit Asar, Hanger president and CEO. “Our hope is that others will join us in actionable steps to help enact meaningful change within the healthcare profession.”
