A Note from the Director of OPGA: Standing on the Shoulders of Giants

Published in Orthotics & Prosthetics on December 16, 2025

By Jeff Kessler, Director of OPGA

As we approach the end of strategic planning season and head into the bustle of year-end close, holidays, and traditions, it’s worth pausing to reflect.

We all stand on the shoulders of giants. The collective intelligence of humanity is a compound effect, built over generations by people striving to improve their lives and the lives of others. The technology and services in our industry are the result of countless cycles of trial and error, failure, and success. Every advancement we benefit from today is rooted in the hard-earned progress of those who came before us.

In our businesses, we’re constantly adapting to new pressures. We solve new problems, innovate, and push to make things better for the people we serve, and for ourselves. Embracing change is the cost of doing business, because the alternative is simply unaffordable. Jack Welch, former CEO of GE, once advised leaders to “change before you have to.” That wisdom feels especially relevant right now.

The Challenge of Staying the Course

As the calendar turns and our best intentions for executing new ideas and plans take shape, it’s easy for those intentions to fade. Professional development goals, personal growth initiatives, and big change implementations can quickly become distant memories. The urgent often overtakes the important.

I feel it. My colleagues feel it. Our members and vendor partners feel it. We’re all in this together.

The Power of Connection

You’re not alone. There are people, outside your own businesses, who understand what you’re going through. These people can help solve problems. Sometimes, even voicing your frustrations can spark creative ideas or solutions.

So, connect with someone who thinks differently than you. One of the beauties of our industry is that nobody can do it all. That means you have friendly experts across the country you can lean on as a resource. We all want the best for our patients and for the industry. Let’s share our common challenges and work together to move things forward in a positive way, so that someday, we might be the shoulders others stand on to reach new heights.

Practical Ways to Engage

Here are a few ways to stay connected and engaged:

Attend an industry event
Participate in advocacy efforts
Reach out to your network, pick up the phone, and send a message
Call me. I’m here to help connect you with the right people

At OPGA, we’re an employee-owned company of around 1,600 people working in the homecare space. If I can’t solve your problem, I know someone who knows someone. I can help make that connection. But problems don’t get solved in a vacuum.

A Gentle Reminder

This season brings joy but also pain for many. The burdens, the stress, the sadness from loss, is all real. Don’t carry your load alone. You matter. You have a purpose. It’s not weak to ask for help. Sometimes, it’s the bravest and wisest thing you can do.

To adapt our quote from earlier, "When is the best time to ask for help? Before you have to."

Be safe, and happy holidays, everybody.

Jeff Kessler
Director of OPGA

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