Making More of What We Have: Improving Efficiency Through Insight and Industry Connection

Published in Orthotics & Prosthetics on March 02, 2026

By Jeff Kessler, Director of OPGA

Spring is right around the corner, and here in the deep Midwest, it cannot come soon enough. That said, we are not interested in wishing time away. There is still a lot that can be done with the limited time we have.

We know our members often wish there were more hours in the day. The reality is that, like anything else, we have to make the most of what we are given.

"I can make lemonade with these lemons, but how do I turn one gallon into ten?"

That is probably a more accurate picture of our current situation. It is difficult, but not impossible. It takes the right mix of support, knowledge, optimism, connections, and practical solutions.

Efficiency starts with understanding the current state and where we are headed. Recently, we released an updated State of the Industry report, available exclusively to OPGA members. It includes benchmarking and forecasting data compiled by our market strategy team. There are other industry resources available that tell similar stories. We encourage you to read them and, more importantly, let’s talk about what they mean for your business and for our profession.

We also spent time at Academy in Nashville, and it was great to see so many of our members in attendance. Industry events require a real investment of time and money, along with time away from family and patients. Still, they are a valuable way to grow professionally and stay connected. In-person events cannot be replaced by virtual connections or endless article consumption. If there is a regional or local event you think OPGA should attend, let us know. Let’s discuss it.

I am continually grateful for the contributions made to the OPGA community by my fellow associates atVGM& Associates. As a 100 percent employee-owned company, their dedication to the shared success of our members and partners is something I believe truly sets us apart.

We also love hosting visitors at our main campus here in Waterloo, Iowa. Almost without exception, guests leave saying the same thing: they had no idea how large VGM really is. What they are really discovering is that our capacity to solve problems, answer questions, and connect members and partners to meaningful solutions runs deeper than they realized.

Conversation and connection with our members remain the heartbeat of our community. Even when we cannot connect in person, we encourage you to spend time with us virtually. Ask questions. Tell us your story. You never know which rock at VGM you have not yet turned over. Click here to connect with us today.

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