Click a title below to read about the session.
So Every BODY Can Move: Advocacy in Action
Understanding Health Equity: Understanding Programs and Actionable Measures
Pregnancy Considerations for the O&P Community
When Things Go Wrong With Active Vacuum Suspension
O&P Clinician’s Role in Funded Clinical Research
The Road to Running
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The O&P community has long battled insurance companies to provide affordable, accessible care to those with limb loss and limb differences. Supporters of So Every BODY Can Move believe that physical activity is a right, not a privilege and is addressing the issue through state-by-state legislative action to expand O&P coverage. This Special Event will highlight O&P advocates across the country who are working to improve access to care and empower movement for those with physical disabilities. Speakers include clinicians, prosthetic users, and attorneys who are currently serving as state leads for this national initiative. The advocacy champions will educate attendees on the legislative process and discuss the challenges they have faced in their respective states. The session will also describe how advocates implemented legislation for improved coverage of O&P devices, including running and shower prostheses and introduce the Advocacy and Lobbying Toolkit to provide resources for attendees who want to get involved at the local level.
The campaign has set a goal of enacting this legislation in 28 states by the 2028 Paralympics, which will take place in Los Angeles. The campaign, “28×28,” and its grassroots effort could inspire national reform after more states join the cause. Attendees will hear how advocates have implemented legislation for improved coverage of O&P devices, including running and shower prostheses, and see how you can join the movement.
Time: Thursday, 9:15-10:45 a.m.
Session Leader/Speaker Ciera A. Price, MSPO, CPO/L, Henry M Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine
Speakers: Nicole Ver Kuilen, American Orthotic & Prosthetic Association; Francois Van Der Watt, CPO, Van Der Watt Prosthetics & Orthotics; Maggie Baumer, JD, Hanger Clinic; Eric Schopmeyer, CO, Hanger Clinic; Teri Kuffel, JD, Arise Orthotics & Prosthetics
Equity has become an increasingly important topic of discussion among healthcare providers, but few are prepared to take on the challenge of addressing health disparities in their daily practice. The Academy’s Collaborative on Inclusive Action and Engagement presents this Change Management session to help attendees understand health equity and provide actionable solutions. Collaborative members will provide a comprehensive overview of health equity, discuss existing initiatives and community outreach strategies, and share practical skills for implementing change in O&P classrooms, clinics, and research settings. Attendees will gain an understanding of health equity and how cultivating inclusive environments can enhance patient care, practitioner satisfaction, and community relationships.
Time: Thursday, 11:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Session Leader/Speaker: Amandi Rhett, MS, CPO, LPO, FAAOP, Baylor College of Medicine
Speakers: Ciera A. Price, MSPO, CPO/L, Henry M Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine; Kiley Armstrong, MS, MPO, CPO, Northwestern University Prosthetics-Orthotics Center; Lakan Smith, MSPO, Bionic Prosthetics and Orthotics; Adrienne W. Hill, MHA, CPO, LPO, FAAOP, Kennesaw State University
Clinical experiences and accommodations during and after pregnancy are important factors when dealing with expecting patients. During this session, clinicians will discuss takeaways to help the at-large O&P population and share their own experiences and advice around pregnancy and parenthood while working in O&P. Attendees will learn about considerations for O&P patients during and post-pregnancy, for families during and after pregnancy, and for the clinical team during and after a pregnancy.
Time: Thursday, 2:20-3:50 p.m.
Session Leader/Speaker: Allison L. Seim, MPO, CPO/L, FAAOP
Speakers: Ariel B. Cabana, CPO, Ottobock; Chrysta Irolla, CPO, MS, MSPO, Hospital for Special Surgery; Rebecca Spragg, MSPO, CPO, Eastern Michigan University, Sophia Mancini, MS, Yanke Bionics; Amandi Rhett, MS, CPO, LPO, FAAOP, Baylor College of Medicine, Kiley Armstrong, MS, MPO, CPO, Northwestern University Prosthetics-Orthotics Center
Active vacuum suspension is no longer considered new technology, yet the implementation of this suspension mechanism can be difficult to learn without direct mentorship and guidance. The session will include a review of the basic principles that influence how to design and implement an active vacuum socket system. Then, a panel of practitioners will share personal examples of challenges they encountered with implementation of active vacuum suspension in three primary categories: leaks, socket fit, and patient education.
The panel includes practitioners who have been applying active vacuum for many years and those who more recently learned it. Their discussions will highlight not only what can go wrong but also how to assess the root cause, how to adjust or repair the system, how to educate patients effectively, and how to prevent some problems from occurring at all. If you are interested in increasing your knowledge and skill to successfully implement active vacuum systems and troubleshoot when things go wrong, this session is for you.
Time: Thursday, 2:20-3:50 p.m.
Session Leader/Moderator: Kristin Carnahan, CPO, FAAOP
Speakers: Shane Grubbs, CPO/L, Procare Ottobock.care; Seth O’Brien, CP, FAAOP(D), Artificial Limb Specialists; Sarah Teal, CP/L, ProCare Ottobock.Care; Claire Kilpatrick; and Beth Petrovic
The panel includes practitioners who have contributed to funded research projects and principal investigators who have had successes or struggles when enrolling O&P patients. They will discuss the opportunities and difficulties that surround conducting human subject research with O&P patients.
While there are steady research needs, interest, and funding, the practicality of the research is in the evaluation of novel technologies or approaches in a real-world clinical setting with O&P patients. The session will highlight pragmatic approaches that have worked and suggest alternatives to previous clinical research plans that were well meaning and highly planned out, but ultimately failed to meet the research project aims. The lessons learned can contribute to the future success of clinical research projects.
Within the greater topic, the session includes answering the questions “Does funded clinical research make sense in my clinical practice?” And “How does my clinic become a research site for a prospective trial?”
Time: Thursday, 5:35-7:05 p.m.
Session Leader/Moderator: Tiffany Graham, MSPO, C/LPO, FAAOP(D), University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center
Speakers: Jason M. Wilken, PT, PhD, University of Iowa; Jason T. Kahle, MS, CPO/L, FAAOP, OP Solutions; Matthew Wernke, PhD, WillowWood Global; Todd Farrell, PhD, Liberating Technologies; Katheryn J. Allyn, CPO/L, FAAOP, University of Washington; David C. Morgenroth, MD, University of Washington and VA Center for Limb Loss and Mobility VA Puget Sound Health Care System; Kierra J. Falbo, MPO, CPO, Minneapolis VA Health Care System; Elizabeth G. Halsne, CPO, PhD, Center for Limb Loss and Mobility, VA Puget Sound Health Care System, University of Washington; and Jeff Wensman, CPO, Michigan Medicine Orthotics and Prosthetics Center
As O&P fights for legislative changes across the country, through So Every BODY Can Move, this session finds space for methodical evaluation and treatment protocols for novice to intermediate athletes. Anticipating a great shift in the adaptive sports communities, the multidisciplinary panel will share insights about athletes using running-specific prostheses.
The panel will discuss protocols and considerations when approaching the evaluation, prescription, and fitting for running-specific devices. They will also provide the tools for successful collaboration between CPOs, physical therapists, and coaches, covering user-training, gait analysis, and amputee-specific cues for balance and strengthening protocols. The session will connect clinicians with the resources for the next athlete/patient looking to increase and improve their activity. Attendees are encouraged to bring questions for an extended discussion with the panel following the presentation.
Time: Thursday, 5:35-7:05
Session Leader/Moderator/Q&A Moderator: Breanne Logan, CPO, MSOP, Ottobock
Speakers: Francois Van Der Watt, CPO, Van Der Watt Prosthetics and Orthotics; David Rotter, CPO, Rotter Prosthetics; Jen Gruenhagen, PhD, DPT, PT, Midwestern University; Cindy Housner, Great Lakes Adaptive Sports Association (GLASA)
