WATERLOO, IA – The Orthotic Prosthetic Group of America (OPGA) selected Fanny Schultea, MS, MSEd, CPO, LP, FAAOP, as its 2025 O&P Woman of the Year. The award was presented to Schultea during the American Orthotic and Prosthetic Association (AOPA) National Assembly.  

“Thank you to VGM Group, OPGA, and Össur for this platform and the extraordinary opportunity to share with the O&P community the vision behind my work with the O&P Foundation,” said Schultea, who serves as executive director of The Orthotics and Prosthetics Foundation for Education and Research. “To empower our community to reimagine not just how we deliver care and how we train the next generation, but how we use data to drive better outcomes, and how we elevate voices that have long been underrepresented in research, education, and clinical practice.”  

Schultea is a certified ABC Orthotist/Prosthetist and a Fellow with Distinction of the American Academy of Orthotists and Prosthetists (AAOP). Prior to her current role, she served as an assistant professor in the Baylor College of Medicine program in Houston, TX, and as director of AAOP’s O&PiQ. She continues her service to the profession with the Limb Loss and Preservation Registry (LLPR) on the Scientific Committee. She is passionate about knowledge translation, healthcare quality, access, and innovation in O&P clinical care.  

“Fanny Schultea exemplifies the spirit of innovation, leadership, and dedication that this award was created to honor,” said Tyler Mahncke, senior vice president of Clinical Mobility and Accessibility for VGM & Associates. “Her contributions to education, research, and clinical excellence in the O&P profession continue to inspire and elevate the entire community.”

The O&P Woman of the Year Award, sponsored by Össur and presented by OPGA, a division of VGM & Associates, recognizes outstanding women in the orthotic and prosthetic (O&P) profession. A selection committee of four O&P professionals reviews nominations and selects finalists based on their contributions to patients, the community, and the O&P profession throughout their careers.  

This year’s finalists have shown exceptional dedication and leadership within their organizations, making a positive impact on patients and communities. Their contributions exemplify the highest standards of the O&P profession, serving as role models for aspiring professionals in the field.