Gillette Children’s Shines at OPTech Conference

Children’s pediatric experts helped plan, orchestrate and participate in the 2023 Orthotic & Prosthetic Innovative Technologies (OPTech) Conference in Minneapolis. The conference brought together more than 130 experts and professionals from around the country to discuss the latest and contemplate future advancements in orthotic and prosthetic technologies. 

From its inception, OPTech has filled a niche that other orthotic and prosthetic conferences could not. Many conferences provide clinicians with information that they can take home and start using in their practice the next day. However, OPTech aims to bring together key stakeholders from a wide variety of backgrounds to learn, discuss and contemplate what technology should be considered and researched in the next 5, 10 or 15 years to push the envelope of orthotic and prosthetic clinical practice.  

The 2023 OPTech conference brought together physicians, prosthetist-orthotists, therapists, researchers, engineers and manufacturers from a wide variety of backgrounds. These professionals exchanged ideas, shared knowledge, and collaborated on current and contemplated future advancements in orthotic and prosthetic technology. Such innovations will hopefully create a brighter future for children with disabilities who rely on these solutions for improved mobility and quality of life.  

Michelle Hall, MS, CPO, FAAOP(D), the Conference Chair and a prominent figure in the field, said she was excited about Gillette Children's participation in OPTech as it afforded the opportunity to bring pediatrics into this discussion. 

One of the highlights of the event was the Gillette Children's Research Showcase, where leading experts presented their groundbreaking research and advancements in pediatric orthotics and prosthetics.  

“The Gillette Research Showcase at OPTech provided a unique platform to share our cutting-edge research and advancements in pediatric orthotics and prosthetics,” Hall said. “We are proud to contribute to the national conversation and collaborate with experts from around the country to improve the lives of children with disabilities.” 

The showcase included presentations from Mark Dahl, MD, Mark Gormley, MD, Elizabeth Boyer, PhD, Alyssa Spomer, PhD, and Clinical Research Coordinator Anna Reimann. Their research covered a variety of areas, including limb lengthening, functional changes in children using assistive orthoses, balance impairments in Cerebral Palsy, adaptation to gait biofeedback, and the use of virtual reality in healthcare. The presentations sparked engaging discussions and received positive feedback from the conference attendees. Experts and professionals commended the innovative approaches and contributions made by Gillette Children's in the field of pediatric orthotics and prosthetics. 

Hall expressed her gratitude to the participants for attending and the OPTech Scientific Planning Committee for their efforts in organizing this successful conference. The event concluded with closing remarks from Hall, highlighting the importance of collaboration and continued advancements in orthotic and prosthetic technologies.