Charles Kuffel
The American Orthotic & Prosthetic Association (AOPA) announced that it is honoring Charles Kuffel, MSM, CPO, FAAOP; Teri Kuffel, Esq.; and Rick Riley with the Ralph R. “Ronney” Snell Legislative Advocacy Award. This award is presented to individuals in the field who have made valuable contributions toward advancing the legislative and regulatory goals of the O&P community by motivating members of Congress, state legislators, and other decision makers to make sure the needs of patients and providers are accommodated.
“Rick, Charles, and Teri are O&P industry champions who consistently and unselfishly invest their personal time to inform and educate legislators, regulators, and other professionals with considerable impact,” said AOPA President Charles H. Dankmeyer Jr., CPO. “Their voluntary efforts reap benefits for all O&P businesses. AOPA salutes their advocacy.”
Teri Kuffel
Charles is the president and clinical director and Teri is the vice president of Arise Orthotics & Prosthetics, Blaine, Minnesota. Both have been active in the Minnesota Society of Orthotists, Prosthetists & Pedorthists (MSOPP), and both teach for the Master of Science in Orthotics and Prosthetics program at Concordia University, in addition to their continued involvement with humanitarian organizations, such as Wiggle Your Toes. Charles and Teri have attended the AOPA Policy Forum for the past six years and each year have sponsored an individual with an amputation to join them. They have worked with state legislators on behalf of MSOPP on licensure and insurance fairness issues. Teri serves on the MSOPP board and is an AOPA state representative. Charles is a past president of the Northern Plains Chapter of the American Academy of Orthotists and Prosthetists and currently serves as vice chair of the National Commission on Orthotic and Prosthetic Education.
Rick Riley
Riley is the CEO of Townsend Design, Bakersfield, California, where he started in 1995 as vice president of marketing. He has consistently attended AOPA’s annual Policy Forum, of which Townsend Design is a longtime sponsor, to educate senators and congressional representatives, and has met with current majority leader for the House of Representatives, Kevin McCarthy (R-CA). Riley also encourages practitioners and suppliers to participate in the Policy Forum and other advocacy activities.
