Celebrating 25 Years of
Thranhardt Awards
PAST THRANHARDT HONOREES WILL CONVENE IN BOSTON TO MARK A QUARTER-CENTURY OF CUTTING-EDGE PRESENTATIONS
A
ONE-OF-A-KIND MEETING OF
elite O&P researchers will take place when AOPA celebrates the 25th anniversary of the Thranhardt Awards during the National Assembly in Boston. Dozens of O&P professionals who have been winners of the Thranhardt Lecture Series—an award established by J.E. Hanger Inc. in 1995 in memory of Howard R. Thranhardt recognizing individuals committed to advancing orthotic and prosthetic research and education—will be honored during the Howard R. Thranhardt Award 25th Anniversary Celebration and Luncheon Friday, September 10. H.E. “Ted” Thranhardt, CPO(E) Often described as a man ahead of his time, Howard R. Thranhardt spent his career advocating for O&P education and research before most other stakeholders understood the value of investing in those areas. “Education of the field, not only at home but also abroad, was very important to my father,” says H.E. “Ted” Thranhardt, CPO(E), Howard’s son, and a past president of AOPA, the American Academy
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of Orthotists and Prosthetists, and American Board for Certification in Orthotics, Prosthetics, & Pedorthics. Given Howard’s background (see sidebar on page 41), it’s no surprise that the presentations shared by winners over the past 25 years at AOPA and Academy meetings have been of the highest caliber, and in many cases have provided evidence for the value of specific orthotic and prosthetic components and interventions. “The Thranhardt Awards are associated with the best, most interesting presentations in the field,” says Jason Kahle, MSMS, CPO, FAAOP, a past award winner (1998, 2002, and 2012). Each year, the Thranhardt sessions boast “a room full of the best O&P scientific minds.”
An Evolution in O&P Research
A look back at the presentations honored with Thranhardt Awards over the past quarter-century demonstrates a steady progression in O&P research. “It has been exciting to see the evolution of research in O&P, as in many ways, [the award] has reflected the changes of O&P from a device-oriented industry to a patient-care industry that is heavily embedded within the rehabilitation team,” explains Shane Wurdeman, MSPO, PhD,
