O&P Rising

Building Clinical Confidence Through Mentorship

In this episode of O&P Rising, recorded live at the 52nd Academy Annual Meeting in Nashville, guest host Abbey Stepnitz, CO, a certified orthotist and board-eligible prosthetist at Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, welcomes John T. Brinkmann, CPO/L, FAAOP(D), associate professor at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, and David Speers, CPO, instructor at the Northwestern University Prosthetics-Orthotics Center, to discuss preparing the next generation of O&P clinicians. They explore the transition from classroom to residency, the evolving role of mentorship, and strategies for helping residents build confidence, clinical judgment, and lifelong learning skills. The conversation also examines how research, outcomes, structured feedback, and reflective practice are shaping O&P education and preparing new clinicians for independent practice.
 
O&P Rising is produced by Association Briefings.

Building a Career Beyond Patient Care

In this episode of O&P Rising, guest host Jiera Shears, an MSPO student at Kennesaw State University, sits down with Jessica Norrell, CPO, MBA, owner of Mozn Solutions, to explore the many career paths available within the orthotics and prosthetics profession. Drawing on more than two decades of experience in clinical care, business operations, and healthcare leadership, Norrell shares her journey from practicing clinician to entrepreneur and consultant, offering insights into how business and patient care work together to create sustainable O&P practices. The conversation examines the often-overlooked business side of O&P, including operations, workflow management, payer relationships, billing, and leadership development. Norrell discusses the challenges of transitioning beyond direct patient care, the importance of understanding the full patient care process from referral through reimbursement, and why skills such as project management, critical thinking, communication, and problem-solving are essential for long-term success. She also shares lessons learned from building her own company, navigating leadership responsibilities, and balancing risk with opportunity. Throughout the episode, Norrell encourages emerging professionals to stay curious, build strong networks, seek out mentorship opportunities, and remain open to nontraditional career paths within O&P. 
 
O&P Rising is produced by Association Briefings.

Early Career Growth in O&P - Part 2

In this episode, guest host Caitlin Bowman Martwinski, MSPO, a Board Eligible Prosthetist Orthotist with Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, sits down with Michael McCauley, MS, CPO/L, FAAOP, an ABC-certified prosthetist/orthotist and National Clinical Leader for Pediatric Care Excellence at Hanger Clinic, to continue a conversation about navigating the uncertainty that often comes with the early years of an orthotics and prosthetics career. McCauley reflects on his unconventional path into the profession, the doubts and challenges he faced during residency, and how those experiences ultimately helped shape his confidence and career direction. The discussion centers on the idea that momentum is often built through action rather than certainty, with both guests emphasizing the importance of networking, self-advocacy, mentorship, and saying yes to opportunities before feeling fully prepared. McCauley shares how agreeing to participate in underwater prosthetic research during residency unexpectedly opened the door to a long-term collaboration with the University of Hartford, and the conversation also explores practical advice for new clinicians around choosing residency programs, managing time and burnout, building professional relationships through conferences and LinkedIn, and becoming involved in grants, research, and professional organizations.
To hear part 1, go here: https://aaoprising.podbean.com/e/early-career-growth-in-op/
 
O&P Rising is produced by Association Briefings.
 

Fueling the Future: Meet the Next Generation of O&P Leaders

In this episode of O&P Rising, recorded live at the 52nd Academy Annual Meeting in Nashville, guest host Fanny Schultea, MS, MSEd, CPO, LP, FAAOP(D), executive director of the Orthotics and Prosthetics Foundation for Education and Research, shines a spotlight on the inaugural 2025 Fuel the Future Scholars.
Featuring Mariam El-Khatib, Kirsten Lucy, Annie Kramer, Elizabeth Ibata-Irens, and Jon Avery Welch, the conversation centers on their journeys into the profession, where they’re training, and the impact they hope to make—from pediatric and scoliosis-focused care to advancing research, health equity, and evidence-based practice.
The scholars reflect on how the program is helping remove financial barriers while building confidence, connection, and a stronger pipeline of future professionals. They also share candid perspectives on challenges facing the field, including access to care, clinic culture, preventative care gaps, and the need for more robust clinical evidence. The episode closes with gratitude for mentors and donors, along with thoughtful advice on staying curious, embracing feedback, and committing to lifelong learning.
O&P Rising is produced by Association Briefings.
 

Early Career Growth in O&P

In this episode of O&P Rising, recorded live at the 52nd Academy Annual Meeting in Nashville, guest host Abbey Senczyszyn, CPO, of Bremer Prosthetic Design, sits down with Jonah Rhymer, MPO, CPO of Open Bionics, and Kathleen Carroll, MS, MSPO, CPO, FAAOP, of Hanger Clinic to explore how early-career professionals can grow and adapt in orthotics and prosthetics. Jonah shares how a single encounter with an above-knee prosthesis set him on a path from technician to clinician and ultimately into upper-limb specialization, fueled by a passion for emerging technologies like 3D printing and strengthened through mentorship and national networking. Kathleen reflects on her unconventional transition from graduate math into O&P, her focus on pediatric orthotics, and how she expanded into clinic leadership and outcomes work that blends data with patient care. Together, they discuss the importance of staying nimble as opportunities emerge, leaning into your strengths while embracing discomfort, and using professional meetings to build connections and close knowledge gaps. They also offer candid insights on navigating imposter syndrome, avoiding burnout, learning from mistakes, and shaping a career that evolves with purpose.
 
O&P Rising is produced by Association Briefings.

Resident Stressors and Challenges

In this episode, host Liz Morse, a prosthetic and orthotic resident at UW Health in Madison, Wisconsin, leads a candid discussion on residency stressors and the transition into clinical practice. She is joined by Kelley Berk, MS, CPO, LPO, of Shamrock Prosthetics in Athens, Georgia, and Julie Quinlan, MPO, MS, CPO, ATC, FAAOP, of Hanger Clinic and associate director of the O&P program at Drexel University. Together, they explore how strong communication lays the foundation for success when joining a new clinic, from setting expectations with mentors and teammates to giving and receiving constructive feedback. The conversation addresses imposter syndrome, maintaining a growth mindset, and building patient trust through transparency, realistic timelines, and honest follow-up. They also share practical strategies for staying organized, reflecting on progress, celebrating daily wins, and leaning on community support to reduce burnout and sustain meaningful patient care.
 
O&P Rising is produced by Association Briefings.

Advocacy in Action: So Every BODY Can Move Building Momentum

In this episode, host Noelle Medina, a newly certified prosthetist and orthotist at Eastside O&P in Portland, Oregon, leads a powerful conversation on activism and advocacy within the O&P profession. They are joined by Kyle Stepp, elite paratriathlete and national strategic partnerships lead for So Every BODY Can Move, and Nicole Ver Kuilen, disability rights advocate and Director of Impact Campaigns at the Amputee Coalition and lead for So Every BODY Can Move. Kyle and Nicole share their personal journeys into advocacy and the experiences that inspired them to push for legislative change to improve access to prosthetic and orthotic care. The conversation explores the origin and growth of the So Every BODY Can Move movement, which is working to ensure equitable access to physical activity devices through policy efforts across the United States. They discuss the role clinicians can play in advocacy, the impact of laws already enacted in 12 states, and why a coordinated, nationwide approach is critical. 
 
O&P Rising is produced by Association Briefings.

O&P Career Pathways Part 4: Manufacturer Pathways

In this episode, guest host Dottie Anderson, CO, a prosthetic resident at the Minneapolis VA Medical Center, speaks with Megan Hodgson, MPO, CPO, clinical operations manager at Point Designs and a member of the Academy’s board of directors, for part four of the O&P Career Pathways series. Megan reflects on her transition from clinical practice to manufacturing and how working in both worlds shapes her approach to product innovation and clinical education. They explore the role of clinician feedback in driving meaningful product development, the value of cross-team collaboration, and Megan’s advice for early career professionals interested in pursuing opportunities in the manufacturing side of O&P.
O&P Rising is produced by Association Briefings.

O&P Career Pathways Part 3: Academia Pathways

In this episode, guest host Alex Jensch—a master's of science in prosthetics and orthotics student at the University of Hartford (UHart), Connecticut—talks with Duffy Felmlee, CPO, FAAOP(D), professor at UHart, Academy treasurer, and co-chair of the Fabrication Science Society, for part three of the O&P Career Pathways series. Duffy reflects on his journey from clinical practice to academia, offering an inside look at the challenges, rewards, and unexpected joys of teaching in the O&P field. He shares practical insights on mentorship, time management, and leveraging technology to elevate learning. Alex and Duffy also discuss the importance of fostering meaningful connections with students and staying actively engaged in the profession.
O&P Rising is produced by Association Briefings.

O&P Career Pathways Part 2: Research Pathways

In this episode, guest host Julia Pines, certified orthotist and board-eligible prosthetist at OrthoPediatrics Specialty Bracing in Boston, sits down with Kiley Armstrong, MPO, CPO, research prosthetist-orthotist at Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine, for part two of the O&P Career Pathways series. Together, they explore the research pathway in orthotics and prosthetics—what it looks like, how to pursue it, and why it matters. Kiley reflects on her early exposure to the field, her foundation in biomedical engineering, and the moments that sparked her passion for research. She offers a behind-the-scenes look at the daily life of a research prosthetist-orthotist, emphasizing the collaborative nature of the work, the milestones that shape a research career, and the blend of curiosity and persistence it requires.
O&P Rising is produced by Association Briefings.