At the International Institute of Orthotics and Prosthetics, we are training the next generation of practitioners to give patients the care they need and providing services to enhance their lives.
You can help the IIOP and the Veterans Stride Foundation by supporting the following programs:
IIOP: We offer a state-of-the-art environment for our students, including equipment such as 3D printers, computers, scanners, manufacturing equipment and classroom technologies. By supporting IIOP, you can help us maintain and upgrade our current equipment and add the latest innovations to keep our students on the leading edge of the field.
Scholarships: Many people are passionate and have the skill set to succeed in the Orthotics and Prosthetics field, but there are few scholarship opportunities available to potential O&P students. We want to provide deserving, talented students the opportunity to achieve their goals by making more scholarships available. Each student who graduates from IIOP will impact thousands of lives in their career.
The Mobility Foundation: Our vision is to build an adaptive sports facility that will serve people living with amputation and other disabilities. This center will provide tremendous opportunities to improve the physical and mental health of people with disabilities while also providing research opportunities that can impact the O&P profession.
Healthy Heroes Program: The Healthy Heroes Program focuses on improving the quality of life of active-duty military members and veterans living with amputation or other disabilities through adaptive sports leagues, clinics, educational programs, and physical and mental health therapies. These valuable events combine exercise and socialization, keeping disabled veterans active.
The Veterans Stride Foundation at the International Institute of Orthotics and Prosthetics is a registered 501(c)(3) organization. All donations are tax deductible.
If you have any questions, please contact Arlene Gillis at 888-204-4447 or arlene@iiofoandp.org
About the Veterans Stride Foundation at IIOP
The Veterans Stride Foundation at International Institute of Orthotics and Prosthetics (IIOP) is an organization that seeks to improve the lives of people living with amputation, veterans, and their families by enhancing the capacity and effectiveness of the practitioners who serve them. It does this primarily through its work with accredited O&P programs in the areas of research, innovation, education, and collaboration.
The Foundation was established in 2016 and was designed to serve as a resource center for educators, researchers, practitioners, and patients. Within the Institute there is a Graduate training program for O & P professionals.
Why is Orthotic & Prosthetic education so important to America’s veteran population?
According to the 2021 VA Congressional Budget Submission, since 2013 Prosthetic and Sensory Aids Services obligations have increased by 67 percent. In the same time period, the number of veterans served by PSAS has increased by 21 percent.
In 2019, according to the same document, approximately 55 percent of all veterans treated by the VHA received devices provided by Prosthetic Services, a substantial number of which received devices and services provided by Orthotic & Prosthetic practitioners. These devices and services are crucial to enabling the veterans served to achieve their highest level of function and to maximize their independence.
The need for Orthotic & Prosthetic services is projected to increase even more as more veterans are enrolled in the VHA, as the veteran population ages and requires more services and devices, and as new and advanced technologies emerge and become available to veterans.
Orthotic & Prosthetic education is of increasing importance to America’s Veterans. New technologies require new and advanced training. Attrition in the ranks of O&P practitioners and increased demand for Orthotic & Prosthetic services requires the ever-increasing response of the O&P educational community to train new clinicians.
The Veterans Stride Foundation recognizes how urgently important Orthotic & Prosthetic education is to America’s Veterans. Without the training of more and better qualified Orthotists and Prosthetists, the profession will not be able to support the increased demands that are predicted for the immediate future.
The International Institute of Orthotics and Prosthetics is the Foundation’s response to fulfilling this critical need for the nation’s veterans.
The Foundation provides a venue for the Florida Academy of Orthotist and Prosthetist and the American Board of Certification for Orthotics, Prosthetics and Pedorthic Testing Center on campus. And because the Foundation is located just minutes from MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa, veterans and people living with amputation can also receive wrap-around services such as wellness programs, and other rehabilitative services offered by either the government or private sector.
The Foundation sponsors adaptive sports, and events in the community to enhance the lives of people living with amputation and veterans. The events challenge participant to find new ways to be active and mingle with other people who have gone through similar loss. These activities give them the opportunity to see hope in others that have overcome challenges.
Foundation:
Federal Tax ID: 81-0871044
VETERANS STRIDE FOUNDATION AT IIOP, INC.
4809 Memorial Hwy, Tampa , Fl 33634
813-517-1742
REGISTRATION#: CH50348
A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES BY CALLING TOLL-FREE WITHIN THE STATE. REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL, OR RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE.
Veterans Stride Foundation primary mission is to develop a collaboration center and Orthotic and Prosthetic education campus to improve the lives of people living with amputation and veterans through education, training, research, and collaboration worldwide.
Upon request contact Mary Simmons at 813-443-4840 with any additional questions regarding financials.
Board of Directors
LINA ANGELICI, Attorney
KAY BURNISTON, Secretary
JOHN TRAVIS GODWIN, Attorney
BARBARA MARCH, CEO of My Corporate Ally
TINO MARTINEZ
WILLIAM SCHIFINO, SR., Attorney
MARY SIMMONS, CPA
KENNETH GOULD, Executive Vice President at Lockton Companies
