O&P Woman of the Year seeks to inspire others 

WATERLOO, Iowa – Sheryl Sachs, MSPO, a certified prosthetist orthotist (CPO) at Dankmeyer in Maryland, has been selected as the 2024 O&P Woman of the Year. 

The Orthotic Prosthetic Group of America (OPGA) presented Sachs, a lead advocate for the state’s “So EveryBODY Can Move” initiative, with the award at the AOPA National Assembly on Sept. 13. 

“I am honored to have been chosen as the 2024 (O&P) Woman of the Year," she said. "I hope that my passion and commitment to the O&P profession serves as an inspiration and motivation to other women to make sure their voices are heard, and we have the power to make positive change a reality in and beyond O&P.” 

In addition to her role as a clinician, Sachs has taken a mentorship role within the American Academy of Orthotists and Prosthetists and has been a member of AOPA’s Government Relations Committee. Additionally, she serves on the Executive Committee of the NCOPE Board of Directors and is the chair of its Residency Standards committee. 

The O&P Woman of the Year award, sponsored by Össur and presented by OPGA, a division of VGM & Associates, is open to all women who work in the orthotic and prosthetic profession. A selection committee of four O&P professionals reviewed nominations and selected finalists by considering the nominees’ contributions throughout their careers to patients, the community and the O&P profession. 

• In August, OPGA announced the four finalists for the award. Sachs was joined by Dr. Justina Appel, PhD, CO, BOCP, LPO, clinical specialist with NuTech Synergies; Jenna Calomeris, vice president of sales with ThorWear, DBA Elevate Movement; and Dr. Sara Peterson, PhD, L/CPO, FAAOP(D), clinical research scientist/certified prosthetist orthotist (CPO) with O&P Clinical Innovations.