A Letter From the President, Adam Miller: September 2023

Published in Orthotics & Prosthetics on September 20, 2023

By Adam Miller, President, OPGA

Well, that is a wrap on another fantastic AOPA National Assembly. As I was making the long drive home back to Iowa from Indianapolis, I couldn’t help but reflect on the events of the previous few days at AOPA and feel a sense of excitement and focus. There is nothing quite like being able to physically interact with others in our field. Teams and Zoom meetings, although efficient and practical, just don’t replicate the importance of shaking hands, sharing a dinner, or having some laughs over a drink or two that these events afford. Relationships were deepened, energy and focus renewed, and opportunities to get better were abundant. Thank you to the AOPA staff for another impeccable experience.

WOY 2023 I wanted to again wish all four finalists of the O&P Woman of the Year Award a sincere congratulations and equally thank the selection committee for their input, as well as Össur for their continued support of the award. Although the decision was likely a difficult one, Nikki Grace-Strader was named the recipient of this year’s award, and we send our congratulations to her as well.

The biggest takeaway I brought home was the collective energy I felt from providers, clinicians, suppliers, and stakeholders. Whether it was an increase in business at the provider level, new product launches and technologies, or hopefulness of the regulatory climate bringing much needed changes, the engery was palpable. I hope to be able to hold onto that same sense of focus and optimism as we look to the future.

Two things are for certain: O&P is changing, and I would argue it's changing for the better. We have more innovative products, more technologies to make jobs easier, and numerous legislative initiatives that so many are fighting for that will truly move the needle for our collective field and individual businesses. Ultimately, these initiatives combined will truly result in better access to patient care.

The other (less consequential) certainty is that I determined six and a half hours to Indianapolis each way is far too long to drive, but in the end, the destination was worth every mile and every minute.

As always, thanks for all you do for our profession and your patients.
Adam Miller