American Orthotic and Prosthetic Association

06/02/2026

AOPA’s Director of Policy and Regulatory Affairs, Joe McTernan, and Manager of State and Federal Advocacy, Morgan Fabber, MPH, had the opportunity to meet with staff from the office of Representative Nathaniel Moran today to discuss issues impacting the orthotic and prosthetic profession and the patients we serve.

Thank you to Representative Moran and his staff for taking the time to learn more about the challenges and opportunities facing the O&P community. We appreciate your interest, engagement, and commitment to these important issues.

06/02/2026

If you are an O&P faculty member, educator, program director, and/or clinical instructor looking to pursue an advanced academic degree to help strengthen the future of the profession, you will want to check out this opportunity from The Orthotics and Prosthetics Foundation for Education and Research!

📣 NOW OPEN: Elevate to Educate Scholarship Program

This program supports those shaping the next generation of O&P professionals -O&P faculty, educators, program directors, and clinical instructors pursuing advanced academic degrees to strengthen the future of the profession.

🎓 Award: $7,500
📅 Applications Open: June 1, 2026 through July 15, 2026
💡Explore and apply: https://orthoticsandprostheticsfoundation.smapply.us/

06/01/2026

This July, move for a purpose.

AOPA is proud to support the 3rd Annual 28x28 Mobility Challenge hosted by So Every Body Can Move. During Disability Pride Month, advocates, clinicians, patients, families, athletes, and allies from across the country will come together to help advance access to movement and mobility.

The challenge is simple: Commit to moving at least 28 minutes a day for 28 days throughout July.

Walk. Run. Dance. Swim. Lift. Stretch.

Every minute and every movement counts.

Want to learn more before signing up? Join one of the upcoming virtual information sessions to learn how to register, build or join a team, maximize your fundraising impact, and be part of a community dedicated to making movement a human right.
- Option 1: Wednesday, June 10th at 1pm ET https://amputee-coalition.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_DgvSkyrkTtuYJMkGpsXlPA?utm_source=chatgpt.com
- Option 2: Friday, June 12th at 1pm ET https://amputee-coalition.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_lno-ue_LT8-7c9PnTwUNtg?utm_source=chatgpt.com

Move and make a difference this July!

Register today: https://charity.pledgeit.org/28x28MobilityChallenge

05/29/2026

It’s time for the next installment of our Meet the AOPA Staff series!

Today, we’re introducing Joe McTernan, AOPA’s Director of Policy and Regulatory Affairs. Joe works every day to advance AOPA’s advocacy priorities, help members navigate complex regulatory issues, and ensure the voice of the O&P profession is heard by policymakers and regulators.

Take a few minutes to learn more about Joe, including why serving on the DME MAC Councils has been one of the most rewarding aspects of his career and what he hopes to accomplish through his work at AOPA on behalf of members, the profession, and the limb loss and limb difference community.

05/28/2026

ICYMI, take a minute to read the latest post and see all that has been accomplished by So Every Body Can Move and the passionate advocates across the country so far this year...it is impressive!

If you are looking to get involved and support the initiative, plan to take part in the third annual 28x28 Mobility Challenge this July. Registration opens next Monday, June 1st. Stay tuned for more details and how to register!

Hey y’all! Nicole Ver Kuilen , SEBCM National Campaign Lead, and Kyle Stepp , SEBCM National Strategic Partnerships Lead here to give a massive shout out and kudos to all of our incredible advocates across the country for this 2026 legislative session! 👏

This year’s legislative activity has been one marked with mobilization like we’ve never seen before, culminating in some massive wins for our community.

Being recognized this past week by the Accessibility 200 is just one accolade of many that belong to our entire grassroots movement. We are so proud of this now 46 state coalition strong network (welcoming most recently North Dakota and West Virginia)!

Because of our advocates who believe and that all people deserve freedom, dignity, and access to wellbeing, our teams are pushing the needle on what’s possible and not settling for the status quo.

This year we’ve seen:

- A movement record: 26 state introductions!
- Enactment in our 13th state: Kentucky (SB 97) - bringing us closer to our goal 1️⃣3️⃣
- New Mexico (HB 38) becoming the first state in the country to enact coverage for Complex Rehab Tech (CRT) and sports wheelchairs, elevating our model legislation to a new gold standard 🏅♿️
- Georgia (SB 503) strengthening their law to include Public Employee Plans, with advocates like and boldly sharing their stories
- New Hampshire (SB 408) raising the bar of their law from just kids to all ages thanks to Senator Bill Gannon, a member of the limb loss community himself
- Maryland (SB 276/HB 445) being the first in the country to present a winning argument on an orthotics only bill, impacting communities with multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy, drop foot and more
- Oregon (HB 4040) strengthening its medical necessity language so that insurers can’t deny access to orthotic and prosthetic care based on “comfort or convenience”

Our advocates are proving what’s possible when lived experience leads the way. This is only a small sliver of the impact, and we couldn’t be prouder of each and every advocate! So much more to come this year! 🦾🚀

- Nicole & Kyle

05/27/2026

Summer is almost here, and before schedules fill up with vacations and plans, now is the perfect time to check one important thing off your list…registering for AOPA’s 2026 National Assembly!

Join the O&P profession September 9–12 in Las Vegas for four days of:
- Cutting-edge education
- Innovative technology and solutions
- Networking with colleagues from across the country
- Expert-led clinical, business, technical, pedorthic, and digital O&P care sessions
- Valuable CE opportunities
- A dynamic Exhibit Hall
- An Opening General Session keynote from internationally renowned biomechatronics pioneer Dr. Hugh Herr

After registering, be sure to reserve your room at Mandalay Bay through AOPA’s discounted hotel block before rooms become limited.

Visit www.AOPAassembly.org to learn more, register, and book your hotel!

Take one thing off your plate before summer gets busy and secure your spot today. We look forward to seeing you in Las Vegas!

05/26/2026

After a brief pause for OTWorld 2026, we’re excited to continue our Get to Know the AOPA Staff series!

Today, we’re spotlighting Akilah Williams, MBA, SHRM-CP, AOPA’s Director of Finance & Strategic Operations. Akilah plays a vital role in helping keep AOPA running smoothly by overseeing the organization’s finances and human resources while supporting the association’s long-term success and impact.

Take a few minutes to learn more about Akilah, what inspires her work, and the difference she hopes to make for AOPA and the O&P profession.

05/25/2026

This Memorial Day, AOPA honors and remembers the brave individuals who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our country.

As we pause to reflect, we thank all who have served and remember those who gave their lives protecting our freedoms.

05/23/2026

As AOPA staff and leadership head home from OTWorld 2026, we want to extend a sincere thank you to the planners, organizers, hosts, exhibitors, and attendees who made this event such an incredible experience.

OTWorld was truly an impressive gathering of the global O&P community. The level of collaboration, innovation, education, and engagement throughout the week was remarkable, and it was clear how much hard work and planning went into making the event a success. We are grateful for the warm welcome, meaningful conversations, new connections, and valuable insights gained over the last several days.

We leave energized and inspired by the momentum across the profession and hopeful that we can continue building on it at AOPA’s 2026 National Assembly in Las Vegas.

We look forward to seeing everyone again in September!

05/22/2026

As OTWorld 2026 came to a close and the exhibit hall wrapped up, AOPA staff took a few moments to reflect on the experience, the connections made, and what stood out most during this global gathering of the O&P community.

Hear from Teri Kuffel, JD, Executive Director; Ashlie White, Senior Director of External Affairs; Ashley Vande Bunte, Director of Meetings and Education; and Kelly O’Neill, Assistant Director, Meetings and Exhibitions as they share what they appreciated most about their time at OTWorld and the inspiration they’re bringing home from the event.

They were incredibly grateful for the opportunity to connect with so many AOPA members, partners, innovators, and leaders from across the profession. Watch the video to hear their reflections and highlights from an unforgettable week.