VGM & ASSOCIATESHealthcare MSO
Full Menu Search

Change, Community, and Commitment in O&P

Published in Orthotics & Prosthetics on November 05, 2025

Jeff KesslerBy Jeff Kessler, Director, OPGA

I’m not sure where the month of October went. I met with OPGA members, partners, and industry leaders with decades of collective experience and service to the O&P community of patients and professionals. Unsurprisingly, they all offered wisdom, insight, and perspectives on all headwinds facing the industry. While none of us have a crystal ball, it’s easy to see that our industry is experiencing change. Harder to see is where this change will lead and what unseen forces will inevitably appear. The good news is that the dedication to our collective mission has never been stronger. The passion that drew us all to this field remains. Patients need the expertise of a skilled clinician, the benefit of the latest product innovations, and help navigating the complexities of our healthcare system. Even with all the wonderful advancements in care and practice management, the clinician is still a critical part of the continuum.

As we look forward, what should we be thinking about? What investments do we need to be making in our businesses and where do we direct our limited resources? These are the right questions. Ruthless efficiency requires the right tools and partners. With so many options out there, the choices are dizzying. That’s why community is so important. We know how important a community is for patient flourishing, and it’s the same for our business. When we can lean on the greater community of O&P professionals for guidance, we all succeed. But success also includes missteps. I challenge you to get plugged into this community, at the local, state, regional, and national levels. Share your ups and downs. You don’t know what you will learn, but more importantly, who you might help or encourage. Clinicians help people, and helping other professionals can be equally rewarding, knowing the ripple effect that translates to better care for their patients.  

In other news, we recently saw PDAC and DME MAC approval for additive manufacturing. This is a great milestone in our field and another area where you have many options. There are solutions out there that work for all types of operations, so keep looking if you haven’t found the right one yet. Your community can help.

Lastly, but most important, November means Veterans Day. November also means Thanksgiving. My sincerest thanks to our nation’s veterans. Thank you for your service. Thank you to all the brave men and women who protect the freedom that is so easy to take for granted. And thank you to all those OPGA members that give our nation’s heroes the best possible care. We have sent out OPGA Freedom Awards to recognize your service to our veterans. Display them proudly in your offices and clinics. Your work deserves recognition.

Enjoy your Thanksgiving holiday! May you spend time with loved ones to create memories that last a lifetime. Please be safe.

In your service,

Jeff

TAGS

  1. leadership
  2. orthotics & prosthetics
  3. orthotics and prosthetics

Get Connected

Stay up-to-date on the latest resources and news provided by VGM & Associates.

Sign Up for Email

From Our Experts

Jeff Kessler on the Pressures and Possibilities in O&P thumbnail Jeff Kessler on the Pressures and Possibilities in O&P Learn about Jeff Kessler, Director of OPGA, and his goals for addressing industry challenges and fostering collaboration in the O&P community. CMS Proposed Rule: What It Means To O&P Providers thumbnail CMS Proposed Rule: What It Means To O&P Providers Watch this update from VGM's Melanie Ewald, VP of Payer Relations and Reimbursement, on the potential impact of the CMS proposed rule on O&P providers. Jeff Kessler Named New Director of OPGA thumbnail Jeff Kessler Named New Director of OPGA OPGA is proud to announce that Jeff Kessler will be the director of OPGA effective October 1, 2025. O&P Advocacy in Action in Indiana thumbnail O&P Advocacy in Action in Indiana Learn how dedicated O&P professionals in Indiana are shaping orthotic legislation and improving patient care in prosthetics & orthotics. O&P Legislation: A Bill Where All Parties Benefit thumbnail O&P Legislation: A Bill Where All Parties Benefit Recent fraud takedown will fuel support for O&P legislation, stakeholders say. Meet The 2025 O&P Woman of the Year, Fanny Schultea thumbnail Meet The 2025 O&P Woman of the Year, Fanny Schultea OPGA is proud to announce that Fanny Schultea, MS, MSEd, CPO, LP, FAAOP, Executive Director of The Orthotics and Prosthetics Foundation for Education and Research, has been selected as the 2025 O&P Woman of the Year. Announcing the Finalists for the 2025 O&P Woman of the Year Award thumbnail Announcing the Finalists for the 2025 O&P Woman of the Year Award OPGA is thrilled to announce the finalists for the 2025 O&P Woman of the Year Award. These remarkable women will be honored during the AOPA National Assembly, taking place on Thursday, Sept. 4, at 9:50 a.m. in the Product Preview Theater (PPT) within the exhibit hall. NAAOP Hosts First Ever In-Person Legislative Fly-In thumbnail NAAOP Hosts First Ever In-Person Legislative Fly-In Last week, 33 stakeholders, advocates, and leaders from around the O&P industry convened at the offices of Powers Pyles Sutter & Verville PC in Washington, D.C., as part of The National Association for the Advancement of Orthotics and Prosthetics's (NAAOP) first ever in-person legislative fly-in. Co-sponsored by OPGA, the fly-in kicked off with an in-depth discussion and strategy session surrounding several legislative priorities affecting O&P providers and patients.

Be Part of Something Bigger

Become a Member