The Orthotic and Prosthetic Group of America (OPGA) has named Karen Edwards as the 2018 O&P Woman of the Year. OPGA presented the award to Edwards during its member and supplier reception at the American Orthotic and Prosthetic Association (AOPA) National Assembly in Vancouver, British Columbia, in September.
Edwards is director of the Össur Women’s Leadership Initiative and a senior area manager with Össur in Arizona and Utah. She has been in the O&P profession for more than 12 years.
From left: Eagen presents Edwards with the O&P Woman of the Year award.
Photograph courtesy of OPGA.
“I am honored and thrilled to win this award,” Edwards said. “This award validates that advocating for women and gender equality is meaningful and important to all of us….”
“If you’ve been fortunate enough to meet Karen, you know that she is a connector and mentor to many in the O&P community,” Todd Eagen, OPGA president, said. “Karen is a leader who possesses the entrepreneurial mindset and drive to develop education-focused initiatives that benefit the profession and, ultimately, the patients being served.”
Twenty-seven women were nominated for the award, and four finalists were named. JoAnne Kanas, DPT, CPO, FAAOP, received the inaugural award in 2017.
