WELCOME

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE 2021

On behalf of the AOPA Board, Assembly Planning Committee, and staff it is my pleasure to welcome you to Boston for the 2021 National Assembly. It is wonderful to be together, in-person for the first time in almost two years. Over the next several days, we will spend time rebuilding, reconnecting, and reuniting so we can return to our businesses recharged and refocused. This year, the Assembly will provide you the best in clinical, business, and technical education and insights as well as the latest technologies and services brought to you by our supplier or manufacturer members. On Thursday evening, we will kick it off with our Welcome Reception in the Exhibit Hall. This is a great opportunity to network with colleagues new and old and meet with our supplier members and other exhibitors. Then, join us Friday morning for two engaging general sessions. During the first one, you’ll hear from Former Congressman Erik Paulsen and Nicole Ver Kuilen. Congressman Paulsen represented Minnesota’s Third Congressional District from 2009—2019 and is currently a Strategic Consultant at Total Spectrum. Nicole, ROMP’s Associate Director of Development and founder of the nonprofit advocacy organization, “Forrest Stump,” lost her leg to bone cancer at age 10 and since has been a voice for better rights for amputees and access to the technology and care they need to live their best lives. She just completed a 1,500 mile triathlon and summited one of South America’s toughest peaks to raise awareness on the inequities amputees face. Together they will share how we can be stronger together when we leverage advocacy, innovation, and our stories. Following this, Chad Duncan, PhD, CPO, CRC, Veronica Womack, PhD, and Karen Edwards will speak on how “Awareness Drives Change: Recognizing Microaggressions and Biases in O&P”. Walk away being able to recognize, prevent, and intervene on these cognitions and behaviors and be better positioned to create inclusive and authentic interactions in O&P environments. And, this year, you won’t want to miss the Thranhardt Lecture series as we celebrate 25 years of excellence in clinical research with a luncheon on Friday where we honor the 121 past recipients and hear from this year’s winners. Once again, the Assembly is full of the finest education, best practices, and latest regulatory and legislative developments that advance our profession as well as strategies for your business. Customize your schedule to learn about policies that will grow your business and create a positive work environment; hear the latest on clinical care for those living with limb loss and limb impairment; and explore state of the art technologies to learn how to incorporate them into your practice. Don’t forget, this year the education (including some not available live) will be available on the virtual platform for 90 days starting September 16. Thank you for joining us; we truly are stronger together.

Sincerely,

Traci Dralle, CFm President, AOPA

Content in this Program is up-to-date as of printing. For any changes/updates, please visit the Assembly App and notifications made onsite.