About Us
The National Association for the Advancement of Orthotics and Prosthetics is a non-profit trade association dedicated to promoting public policy that supports the interests of the O&P community. Since 1987, the NAAOP has helped to shape positive results in healthcare legislation and regulation through strong government relations advocacy and education of policymakers. The NAAOP also provides O&P patients, practitioners and business owner members with ongoing representation in Washington.
Our Story
NAAOP was founded by the dedication, energy, and passion of a small group of orthotic and prosthetic practitioners who wanted to do something about the lack of research dollars being put into O&P. These individuals along with NAAOP’s founding staff sought to advance the O&P patient’s well-being and protect the O&P profession. Additionally, many of the founding members, staff, and directors knew orthotics and prosthetics from a personal perspective either as patients themselves or through family members who used the professional services of Prosthetists and/or Orthotists. NAAOP’s founding and current Executive Director, George W. Breece, grew up with two people who had amputation[s]. Peter W. Thomas, NAAOP’s General Counsel, had both legs amputated following an auto accident, and has walked with two prostheses since age ten.
NAAOP’s first successful initiative was to advocate for research dollars for O&P. This resulted in the National Center for Medical Rehabilitation Research at the National Institutes of Health. Peter Thomas was an original member of the National Advisory Council for the NCMRR of the NIH. O&P research is the principle focus of the center. Another milestone that put orthotics and prosthetics on a national forum was Peter Thomas’s role as Chairman of the Subcommittee of The Patient Bill of Rights.
NAAOP’s focus is the O&P patient. Our members advocate for better evidence, better education of practitioners, greater and better technology for the O&P consumer, and greater access to care. NAAOP defines these goals as critical for O&P comprehensive patient care and presents them as such to policy makers, which include federal and state elected officials. Health care policy development is complex and dynamic. NAAOP’s presence in this process is both legislative and regulatory. At each point in the health care policy development process, active involvement from the O&P profession is vital. Your professional perspective illustrates what works and what is in the best interest of the O&P patient. This website has been design to provide the resources for you to become informed, involved, and to contact us.