O&P Rising

O&P Rising, hosted by rising O&P professionals, offers candid insights from seasoned O&P professionals on topics that are relevant to those interested in starting out on the right foot when it comes to a career in O&P. During these half-hour sessions, students, residents, and newly certified practitioners will speak with established O&P professionals to get their take on what worked well for them.

O&P Rising is a business podcast hosted by rising, with 45 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80. PitchCentric scores this show on Booking Probability, Listen Score, and live audience signals refreshed every 24 hours.

rising hosts O&P Rising, a business show with 45 episodes published.

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  Episode #45

  Paws, Prostheses and Possibilities: Inside Veterinary O&P

  Sep 16, 202643 min

  In this episode of O&P Rising, host Kayla Wicks, CPO, MSOP, LPO, welcomes Katherine Davis, CPO, of Cornerstone Prosthetics & Orthotics, to explore veterinary orthotics and prosthetics as a unique career path within the O&P profession. Davis shares how her early work in veterinary ophthalmology and exposure to animal prosthetics ultimately led her to human O&P before bringing her career full circle by treating animal patients alongside a rehabilitation veterinarian. She discusses how many of the same clinical skills, materials and fabrication techniques used with human patients translate to veterinary care, as well as the unique challenges of evaluating patients who can’t communicate what they’re feeling. The conversation also explores common diagnoses, cost and access barriers, collaboration with veterinarians and pet owners, and opportunities to strengthen the field through shared knowledge, professional resources, potential credentialing and volunteer efforts that could make veterinary O&P care more accessible. O&P Rising is produced by Association Briefings .

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  Episode #43

  Building Clinical Confidence Through Mentorship

  Jul 15, 202630 min

  In this episode of O&P Rising, recorded live at the 52nd Academy Annual Meeting in Nashville, guest host Abbey Stepnitz, CO, a certified orthotist and board-eligible prosthetist at Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, welcomes John T. Brinkmann, CPO/L, FAAOP(D), associate professor at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, and David Speers, CPO, instructor at the Northwestern University Prosthetics-Orthotics Center, to discuss preparing the next generation of O&P clinicians. They explore the transition from classroom to residency, the evolving role of mentorship, and strategies for helping residents build confidence, clinical judgment, and lifelong learning skills. The conversation also examines how research, outcomes, structured feedback, and reflective practice are shaping O&P education and preparing new clinicians for independent practice. O&P Rising is produced by Association Briefings .

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  Episode #42

  Building a Career Beyond Patient Care

  Jun 17, 202632 min

  In this episode of O&P Rising, guest host Jiera Shears, an MSPO student at Kennesaw State University, sits down with Jessica Norrell, CPO, MBA, owner of Mozn Solutions, to explore the many career paths available within the orthotics and prosthetics profession. Drawing on more than two decades of experience in clinical care, business operations, and healthcare leadership, Norrell shares her journey from practicing clinician to entrepreneur and consultant, offering insights into how business and patient care work together to create sustainable O&P practices. The conversation examines the often-overlooked business side of O&P, including operations, workflow management, payer relationships, billing, and leadership development. Norrell discusses the challenges of transitioning beyond direct patient care, the importance of understanding the full patient care process from referral through reimbursement, and why skills such as project management, critical thinking, communication, and problem-solving are essential for long-term success. She also shares lessons learned from building her own company, navigating leadership responsibilities, and balancing risk with opportunity. Throughout the episode, Norrell encourages emerging professionals to stay curious, build strong networks, seek out mentorship opportunities, and remain open to nontraditional career paths within O&P. O&P Rising is produced by Association Briefings .

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  Episode #41

  Early Career Growth in O&P - Part 2

  May 20, 202631 min

  In this episode, guest host Caitlin Bowman Martwinski, MSPO, a Board Eligible Prosthetist Orthotist with Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, sits down with Michael McCauley, MS, CPO/L, FAAOP, an ABC-certified prosthetist/orthotist and National Clinical Leader for Pediatric Care Excellence at Hanger Clinic, to continue a conversation about navigating the uncertainty that often comes with the early years of an orthotics and prosthetics career. McCauley reflects on his unconventional path into the profession, the doubts and challenges he faced during residency, and how those experiences ultimately helped shape his confidence and career direction. The discussion centers on the idea that momentum is often built through action rather than certainty, with both guests emphasizing the importance of networking, self-advocacy, mentorship, and saying yes to opportunities before feeling fully prepared. McCauley shares how agreeing to participate in underwater prosthetic research during residency unexpectedly opened the door to a long-term collaboration with the University of Hartford, and the conversation also explores practical advice for new clinicians around choosing residency programs, managing time and burnout, building professional relationships through conferences and LinkedIn, and becoming involved in grants, research, and professional organizations. To hear part 1, go here: https://aaoprising.podbean.com/e/early-career-growth-in-op/ O&P Rising is produced by Association Briefings .

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  Episode #40

  Fueling the Future: Meet the Next Generation of O&P Leaders

  Apr 15, 202620 min

  In this episode of O&P Rising, recorded live at the 52nd Academy Annual Meeting in Nashville, guest host Fanny Schultea, MS, MSEd, CPO, LP, FAAOP(D), executive director of the Orthotics and Prosthetics Foundation for Education and Research, shines a spotlight on the inaugural 2025 Fuel the Future Scholars. Featuring Mariam El-Khatib, Kirsten Lucy, Annie Kramer, Elizabeth Ibata-Irens, and Jon Avery Welch, the conversation centers on their journeys into the profession, where they’re training, and the impact they hope to make—from pediatric and scoliosis-focused care to advancing research, health equity, and evidence-based practice. The scholars reflect on how the program is helping remove financial barriers while building confidence, connection, and a stronger pipeline of future professionals. They also share candid perspectives on challenges facing the field, including access to care, clinic culture, preventative care gaps, and the need for more robust clinical evidence. The episode closes with gratitude for mentors and donors, along with thoughtful advice on staying curious, embracing feedback, and committing to lifelong learning. O&P Rising is produced by Association Briefings .

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