Hanger Clinic Celebrates 50 Years with AAOP

As we anticipate the American Academy of Orthotists & Prosthetists (AAOP) 50^th Academy symposium, we reflect on Hanger Clinic’s partnership with AAOP and look forward to new opportunities to enrich the O&P profession and patient lives.

Since 1970, the AAOP has worked to advance the standards of O&P care through education, literature, research, advocacy, and collaboration. Throughout the last 50 years, Hanger Clinic clinicians have served in leadership roles and on councils and committees at the Academy to support research, education, and resource efforts.

Greg Armstrong, MBA, BSPO, CPO, FAAOP, at Hanger Clinic in Houston, Texas, is currently serving as one of the directors for the Academy.

Greg Armstrong shared, “The Academy is a premier source of education and research for the orthotic and prosthetic profession. It is an honor to be a valued member of a team dedicated to the field of O&P, both at Hanger Clinic and AAOP. As an O&P professional, you have the opportunity to change lives. AAOP helps provide us with the knowledge and resources to do that.”

Celebrating AAOP Presidents

Throughout the 50 years, past Academy presidents include Hanger Clinic current and past employees Tom DiBello, L/CO, FAAOP; Phil Stevens, MEd, CPO, FAAOP; Sarah Thomas, MSPO, CPO; Frank Bostock, CO, FAAOP; Ted Thrandardt, CPO; Mike Quigley, CPO; C Micheal Schuch, CPO, FAAOP, FISPO; and Bob Brown, CPO.

Past president and AAOP Lifetime Achievement Award recipient Tom DiBello shared, “Whether serving in a leadership role for AAOP, one of our sister organizations, or assisting in a volunteer mission abroad, throughout my career, the time that I have spent as a volunteer has always reaped so much knowledge and personal and professional satisfaction. Every one of us should actively participate in our national organizations, and the Academy in particular, for fostering our growth as a profession. If you have not joined or volunteered, you owe it to yourself, your colleagues, and your patients to do so. Happy 50^th Academy, here’s hoping for fifty more.”

Hanger Clinic at AAOP

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Past president Phil Stevens also shared, “I’ve always enjoyed my interactions with the Academy.  It’s a unique collection of passionate clinicians and staff motivated to facilitate the best care for the patients we’re fortunate enough to care for.  It’s also proven to be an excellent resource for translating our research findings to the broader O&P community.”

AAOP2024 Symposium

The Academy Annual Meeting and Scientific Symposium serves as the nucleus of O&P continuing education, community, and connection. Thousands of O&P practitioners, academicians, researchers, and industry partners gather to explore and collaborate in an enriching, inclusive, and interactive environment.

This year’s annual symposium will take place in Chicago, Illinois, on March 6-9, 2024. Hanger Clinic will be participating in many educational sessions throughout the event, supporting the continued evolution and progress in O&P.