The International Institute of Orthotics and Prosthetics (IIOP) was established in 2016. It was designed to serve as a resource center for educators, researchers, practitioners, and patients, with the aim of improving the lives of veterans and their families by enhancing the capacity and effectiveness of the practitioners who serve them. It does this primarily through its work with accredited O&P programs in the areas of research, innovation, education, and collaboration.
Now, IIOP has plans to establish a state-of-the-art center for O&P excellence in Tampa, Florida, this year. The Institute has purchased an existing building and renovations will begin immediately. Toward this end, the American Board for Certification in Orthotics, Prosthetics and Pedorthics (ABC) announced it made a contribution to the establishment of the center through the Orthotics & Prosthetics International Institute Foundation. The center will offer office and conference space for the Florida International University’s O&P master’s program, as well as services for O&P education, veteran’s rehabilitation, counseling and peer programs for people with amputations, and community health services.
The center will also work with O&P researchers, clinicians, statisticians, patients, and manufacturers to develop O&P outcome measures for use throughout the profession. The center’s efforts will include working with researchers seeking grants for O&P research and innovation.
“ABC’s contribution has been invaluable in bringing the vision to fruition. The strong alignment of mission and vision jointly held by ABC and IIOP will be important in assuring the success of the institute as we move forward,” said Dale E. Petersen, the foundation’s chairman of the board.
