The decision to sunset two well-established foundations in the pursuit of new opportunities through the creation of a singular O&P foundation for education and research may have raised some eyebrows. Yet, when Don Katz, CO/L, FAAOP, former chair of the Orthotics and Prosthetics Education and Research Foundation (OPERF), and I, former chair of the Center for Orthotic and Prosthetic Learning (COPL), met in early 2020 with a looming pandemic putting the world into a haze of uncertainty, we were resolute with our vision. By consolidating resources and streamlining initiatives, a single O&P foundation would be strategically poised to drive increased research, advance education, and ultimately, transform patient outcomes beyond what was possible as separate organizations.
Ready.
The Orthotics and Prosthetics Foundation for Education and Research (or simply, the O&P Foundation) was born on October 1, 2022. In launching the O&P Foundation, we had the goal to merge and begin our growth trajectory with minimal disruption to the members of the O&P community that had already grown to trust both legacy organizations.
Within the first 12 months, with the efforts of the initial transition board and support from the Academy, ABC, and AOPA, the O&P Foundation quickly moved to memorialize its mission. We would close year one with the hiring of a part-time executive director, Fanny Schultea, MS, MSEd, CPO, LP, FAAOP(D). Fanny immediately came in with full knowledge of our field and awareness of what we were working to achieve. She worked quickly and deliberately to establish the infrastructure that would facilitate the envisioned growth of the O&P Foundation.
Set.
Now, moving into year three, the O&P Foundation looks to realize its growth plans. Analogous to a startup receiving its seed funding, the year began with financial commitments from ABC and AOPA to help move our executive director into a full-time role. Additionally, the board identified a fundraising firm to help ignite our next level of fundraising and catapult our mission forward.
Although Don Katz rolled off our board, we established our Legacy Leadership Council to make certain those who have left an indelible mark on the O&P Foundation stay informed and have a clear channel of communication back to the board—ultimately ensuring the O&P Foundation always maintains its North Star set by the initial founders. When the legacy organizations of OPERF and COPL were established, the O&P profession was commendably responsive to the need for research and educational assistance. Now, O&P stands positioned to move from responsive to anticipatory, reactive to proactive, in defining the future of O&P care.
Grow.
Shane Wurdeman PhD, CPO, FAAOP(D), is the O&P Foundation’s immediate past chair.
