
Angela Courtade – MS, LPO, CPO
Program Director
Angela Courtade, MS, CPO, LPO, has 30 years of professional experience in the Orthotics & Prosthetics industry and over 50 years of personal experience wearing a prosthesis. She has witnessed many advancements in the field and was fortunate to be one of the initial users of a microprocessor knee in the United States over 24 years ago. She began exploring the O&P field as a technician at her prosthetist’s office while enrolled in the pre-allied health curriculum at the University of Northern Iowa. Drawing from these experiences, she later attended The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas, Texas, where she earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Prosthetics and Orthotics. She then went on to complete her Orthotics residency at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center in Oklahoma City within the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Rehabilitation. The following year, she was accepted into Southern Illinois University School of Medicine’s Prosthetic Residency program in Springfield, Illinois. During her two residencies, she gained experience in multidisciplinary care settings within both Orthopedics departments, which allowed patients needing orthotic and prosthetic care to thrive and pursue activities that helped them reach their fullest potential.
Angela continued her career working for a small private company, Dale Clark Prosthetics in Waterloo, Iowa, as well as larger O&P organizations. She later transitioned to academia as an adjunct instructor and then lead instructor at St. Petersburg College of Orthotics and Prosthetics. During her time teaching, she also helped develop their Orthotics and Prosthetics Master’s standards curriculum. She later earned a Master of Science degree from Saint Leo University in Florida.
Most recently, Angela held a position with the Veterans Health Administration as the Southeast Regional Clinical Director, once again working in an interdisciplinary setting. She led efforts to expand amputation specialty care in the Southeastern region. She also provided O&P education to residents, physicians, nurses, therapists, and other healthcare providers to enhance understanding and collaboration for veteran patients. Along with patient care, both in person and virtually, she led an Amputation Support Group, offering educational topics to patients along with other healthcare providers. During her time with the VA, Angela also served as an NCOPE Residency Co-Director and an Approved Clinical Mentor. Additionally, she contributed to several national councils and committees, including the Amputation System of Care Best Practices Committees, Orthotic, Prosthetic, Pedorthic Education Committee, VA Prosthetic-Orthotics Residency Leadership Committee, O&P Research Council, Market Analysis and Research Council, O&P Cerner/Oracle EHR Council, and O&P Job Series Qualification Committee.
Angela enjoys spending time with her family and friends, including her husband, who is also a prosthetist/orthotist, her three sons, and two dogs. Along with educating students and healthcare providers she is also a passionate advocate for patients and is dedicated to giving back to the profession that has given her the ability to walk and is grateful for every step along the way.