News

Alexandria, VA (December 1, 2022) – Today, the American Orthotic and Prosthetic Association (AOPA) is pleased to announce its 2023 Board of Directors.

The Executive Committee will consist of Teri Kuffel, JD who assumes the role of President. Along with, Dave McGill who moves into the role of Immediate Past President and Mitchell Dobson, CPO, FAAOP who becomes President-Elect. Joining them are Jeff Brandt, CPO who was elected to serve as Vice President, and Rick Riley who will continue to serve as Treasurer.

New to the Board of Directors: Arlene Gillis, CP, LPO, M.Ed. and Lesleigh Sisson, CFo, CFm. They join Kimberly Hanson, Elizabeth Ginzel, MHA, CPO, Mo Kenney, CPO, LPO, FAAOP, Jim Kingsley, Linda Wise, and Shane Wurdeman, PhD, CP, FAAOP(D).

“AOPA has remarkable Board members who use their expertise and energy to work tirelessly for their fellow AOPA members,” said Eve Lee, MBA, CAE, Executive Director. “We are committed to ensuring that all AOPA members get the support they need to run their business and provide quality patient care. To do this, I will work with the Board and staff to continue to execute the strategic plan we launched earlier this year.”

Elected by the membership, the AOPA Board of Directors is representative of the membership and serves as the governing body, responsible for the supervision and direction of its mission.

About the new Board members:

Arlene Gillis, CP, LPO, M.Ed.: The Institute is the brainchild of our founder, Arlene Gillis, CP, LPO, M.Ed. Mrs. Gillis is a noteworthy O&P professional with over 27 years of experience, including ten years as a practitioner, followed by 17 years as an educator and O&P Program Director at St. Petersburg College, Florida State University, and Florida International University. Mrs. Gillis has served on numerous Orthotic and Prosthetic boards and committees, as well as the National Commission for Orthotics and Prosthetic of Education (NCOPE), as Chair, along with ten years as a board member.

Collectively, these experiences led Mrs. Gillis to identify two significant voids in the O&P education, profession, and more particularly, in the treatment of members of the armed services who have lost limbs. Specifically, Mrs. Gillis observed that O&P veterans benefit significantly from a holistic approach to the treatment of their injuries but noted that the availability of such holistic care is limited. Mrs. Gillis recognized that a collaborative process between researchers, educators, and practitioners is necessary for the advancement of the treatment of O&P patients, the training and education of O&P practitioners, and research and development in the O&P profession. In recent work, she started O&P Day at the Florida Capitol in Tallahassee, raising awareness of the significance of the orthotics and prosthetics field.

Mrs. Gillis first became interested in rehabilitation when she was 12 years old after her mother was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis and subsequently passed away. Determined to help other families challenged with any physical impairment, Mrs. Gillis eventually pursued a career in Rehabilitation and Physical Therapy. During this time, she discovered the orthopedic and prosthetics field, and it has remained her life-long passion for helping educate others about the profession and develop competent O & P practitioners. Gillis leads an innovative team of O&P educators. They hope to impact patients, the future of this field, and our students’ lives.

Lesleigh Sisson, CFo, CFm: Lesleigh Sisson, CFo, CFm, the founder of O&P Insight and President of Prosthetic Center of Excellence, has been part of the orthotics and prosthetics profession since 1992.  She has held a variety of jobs in O&P from office administrator, Certified Fitter, Director of Administrator, and business owner.

After serving in various roles in O&P, Lesleigh, and her husband, Ed Sisson, CPO, acquired Prosthetic Center of Excellence in 2015. Lesleigh started O&P Insight in 2015 because she cares deeply about three things: helping people thrive in their professional lives, advancing the profession for patients & practitioners and leaving a legacy of lives impacted for the better. While she has always had a love of teaching and helping others, it was working in administrative and clinical support roles when Lesleigh recognized the desire to assist dedicated professionals working toward this common goal: providing excellent patient care while achieving the best possible health for the business. Lesleigh helps independent O&P practices to not only survive but also to thrive in today’s challenging and ever-changing healthcare environment with its demands for efficient workflow, revenue cycle solutions and successful compliance.

About the American Orthotic and Prosthetic Association (AOPA):

A trusted partner, advocating for and serving the orthotic and prosthetic community, the American Orthotic and Prosthetic Association (AOPA) fosters relationships with decision makers, provides education, supports research, and advances equality to strengthen the orthotic and prosthetic profession and improve the lives of its patients. Since 1917, AOPA has been the largest non-profit organization consisting of more than 2,000 patient care facilities and suppliers that together manufacture, distribute, design, fabricate, fit, and provide clinical care for patients using orthopedic braces) and prostheses (artificial limbs). Each and every day, AOPA and its members strive for a world where orthotic and prosthetic care transforms lives.

Executive Vice President at Lockton Companies.

Ken is an experienced Account Director/Producer in the Financial Services industry committed to providing the best service in the industry to his clients. As a client advocate, Ken has the ultimate responsibility in delivering all aspects of customer service.

Ken joined Lockton Dallas in July 2007, and his complex account experience comes from working with domestic and multinational Risk Management and Real Estate clients. During his 25-year career, Ken serviced risk management clients, including PepsiCo, Yum! Brands, Accor Hotels, Starwood Capital, Omnicom Group, Rockpoint, United Rentals, Hubbell Inc., United Technologies, Stanley Works, GTE, American Airlines, BNSF Railway, Nokia, and Alltel.

Kenneth holds an M.B.A. in finance and international finance from the University of Connecticut.

Barbara March, CEO of My Corporate Ally, has been appointed to the Board of Directors for the Veteran’s Stride Foundation at IIOP.

Barb is a distinctly accomplished, multifaceted C-suite executive and entrepreneur with extensive expertise leading global and domestic mutual fund, asset management and insurance companies, as well as global technology outsourcing firms. She is a highly sought-after subject matter expert, speaker and thought leadership contributor on topics related to retirement, financial services transformation and bringing strategic vision successfully to fruition.

Throughout her career, Barb has recognized the importance of giving back to local communities and supporting those who go above and beyond in service to others. She has recently become involved with IIOP through her relationship with Arlene Gillis and has agreed to focus on fundraising for the foundation. Barb spearheaded the effort to nominate Arlene for the Lightning Community Hero Award and has already begun reaching out to the corporate community on behalf of the foundation.

Please congratulate Barb and welcome her to the IIOP family.

We are so truly proud of you!

Wishing you all the best in your life journeys and all the wonderful things that lie ahead!

Congratulations team U.SA. woman’s wheelchair basketball for taking home the Bronze Metal at the 2020 Paralympic games!!!!!

Special Shout out to Our Student Adam Kramer Assistant Coach. We are honored to have you representing IIOP

Below an interview with Adam

Adam

Interviewer: “We would just need a few sentences about your experience”

Adam: The Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games were an amazing opportunity. They used the tagline “United by Emotion” and it could not have felt more true. During such uncertain times, the opportunity to bring the world together, as safely as possible, and show that we can all be united was incredibly refreshing. Sport saved my life and I was lucky enough to share a common experience with thousands of other people in the same boat. 

Interviewer: “Advice for anyone else that wants to get involved with a Paralympic team”

Adam: Find your passion and pursue it relentlessly. It will be a process.

If you want to compete, compile your resources and put your heart and soul into obtaining your goal. If you want to be on staff, begin by volunteering locally or with the NGB (National Governing Body) of your sport of choice. There are dozens of Paralympic sports, so if you can’t choose just one, contact the USOPC (United State Olympic and Paralympic Committee) to offer your expertise to them, in general, as a need arises. There is a certification process, so start early and be persistent. 

Interviewer: “your role on the team”

Adam: I served as an Assistant Coach for Team USA’s Women’s Wheelchair Basketball Team. My primary roles were subdivided into categories that prepared our team for competition.  I worked with athletes on a weekly basis to ensure that they were balancing life on and off the court. I also performed data management and tracking processes to ensure that we were progressing as expected. Most notably, I scouted competition and managed practices to ensure that our athletes knew what to expect during each game. 

Interviewer: “or anything else you want to say”

Adam: My experiences resulted in so many intangible benefits. I am truly lucky to have been a part of this team that allowed me to make many new friends from all over the country & world, while having the honor of representing my country. That is not to say that this occurred without sacrifice, but the rewards will outweigh the drawbacks if you’re committed to putting in the work.