Live in Motion Foundation

09/04/2026

We’re proud to announce the 2026–27 Live in Motion Foundation Board of Directors!

This year, we are especially excited to welcome three new board members: Lesleigh Sisson, Shree Thaker, and Brent Wright. Each brings valuable experience, fresh perspective, and a deep commitment to advancing mobility, strengthening the profession, and expanding access to care.

We are also deeply grateful to Christopher Fairman, Immediate Past Chair, and Chrysta Irolla as they conclude their board service. Their leadership, insight, and commitment have helped strengthen the Foundation and advance our mission.

Together, our 2026–27 Board represents an extraordinary group of leaders helping guide the next chapter of Live in Motion Foundation.

Read the full announcement: https://liveinmotion.org/2026-27-board-of-directors/

09/03/2026

Help us select the next generation of O&P professionals! 🎓

Live in Motion Foundation is seeking volunteer reviewers for the Fuel the Future Scholarships.

Reviewer commitment is approximately 2–3 hours total, with reviews taking place remotely from mid-October through early November 2026.

Your service helps ensure scholarship funding reaches outstanding future O&P professionals. Eligible reviewers can earn ABC Category B credits for their service.

Whether you’re a returning reviewer or would like to participate for the first time, we’d love to have you involved.

📝Sign up to review: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/r/TLRFW4euBX

Thank you for helping us invest in the future of O&P!

09/01/2026

Join us in Las Vegas for an evening that brings the O&P community together around impact, advocacy, and the future of mobility.

🌟 Night of Impact
📅 September 10, 2026
⏰ 6:30–8:00 PM
📍 Mandalay Bay Convention Center | AOPA National Assembly

This special evening will benefit the Live in Motion Foundation, So Every BODY Can Move, and AOPA Capitol Connection, three initiatives working in complementary ways to strengthen our profession, expand access, and improve the lives of people who rely on mobility care.

If you’ll be at the AOPA National Assembly, we hope you’ll join us for an inspiring evening of connection, purpose, and shared commitment to moving our community forward.

🎟️ Learn more and register: https://charity.pledgeit.org/NightOfImpact2026

08/27/2026

🎓 Fuel the Future Scholarships Open September 1!

Five extraordinary O&P master’s students will each receive:

✨ A $20,000 academic scholarship
✨ Complimentary registration to the AAOP Annual Meeting & Scientific Symposium
✨ Complimentary registration to the AOPA National Assembly
✨ Featured speaking opportunities at both conferences

Fuel the Future Scholars are emerging leaders who demonstrate excellence, integrity, service, and a commitment to advancing patient care and professional practice in orthotics and prosthetics.

Help us spread the word to the next generation of O&P leaders!

🔍 Learn more: https://liveinmotion.org/
📝Apply: https://apply.liveinmotion.org/

08/26/2026

🎓 Celebrating the educators who shape the future of O&P!

Live in Motion Foundation is proud to announce Adrienne Hill MHA, CPO/L, FAAOP as the recipient of the 2026 Educate to Elevate Scholarship!

This $7,500 award supports O&P educators and faculty pursuing advanced academic degrees. Adrienne is pursuing her Doctor of Health Administration at Virginia University of Lynchburg, expanding the knowledge and leadership skills she brings to O&P education and the profession.

When educators grow, the profession rises. We are excited to celebrate Adrienne and the impact her continued education will have on the next generation of O&P clinicians.

🔗 Learn more about Adrienne and the Educate to Elevate Scholarship: https://liveinmotion.org/elevate-to-educate-scholarship/

08/26/2026

⚡Applications open September 1 for the Fall 2026 Microgrant Program!

Microgrants are designed to spark new ideas and accelerate early-stage work that directly impacts orthotic, prosthetic, and pedorthic patient care.

These one-year grants support health care professionals, students, and residents pursuing high-impact quality improvement projects that improve care delivery and patient outcomes. Awards have increase to $3000 this Fall!

💡Learn more: https://liveinmotion.org/
📝Apply: https://apply.liveinmotion.org/

08/25/2026

A first-of-its-kind opportunity for orthotics-focused research is coming this fall!

The Tamarack Mentored Pilot Orthotics Research Grant will provide $10,000 to support a focused research project that advances orthotic care.

Thisprogram supports residents, trainees and practicing clinicians as they complete a clinically relevant pilot project under the guidance of an experienced research mentor. Beyond funding, recipients benefit from structured mentorship, reviewer feedback, research experience, and the opportunity to generate preliminary data that can support future studies and larger funding opportunities.

📅 Applications open: September 1
📝Letters of Intent due: October 6
📝Full proposals due: November 2

This special opportunity reflects Tamarack’s commitment to strengthening the evidence base in orthotics and investing in the clinicians and researchers who will shape the future of patient care.

⚡Grant Portal: https://apply.liveinmotion.org/

08/24/2026

We’re proud to announce Dr. Brian Hafner as the 2026 recipient of the Live in Motion Foundation Pilot Research Grant!

This $30,000 award supports clinical research with the potential to strengthen the evidence base for mobility care and lay the groundwork for larger-scale future funding.

Through the Pilot Research Grant, we advance the people and ideas that restore mobility, independence, and quality of life.

🔍 Learn more about Brian and the funded project: https://liveinmotion.org/pilot-research-grant/

08/18/2026

🎉 Congratulations to our 2026 Early Career Research Grant recipients!

Live in Motion Foundation is proud to award $30,000 in research funding to each of this year's recipients, supporting emerging investigators as they launch promising research that can strengthen the evidence behind mobility care.

These grants are about more than funding a single project. They help early career researchers build the foundation for continued discovery, future competitive funding, and long-term leadership in prosthetic, orthotic, and pedorthic research.

Congratulations to Dr. Kierra Falbo and Dr. Alexis Sidiropoulos! We are proud to support your work and look forward to the impact your research will have on the future of mobility care.

🔍 Learn more: https://liveinmotion.org/early-career-research-grants/

08/17/2026

A rebrand is more than a new name, it reflects where an organization is going and the impact it hopes to create.

Live in Motion Foundation Board Chair Dr. Mark Geil shares his perspective on leading our transformation and why this evolution is so important for the future of the Foundation and the O&P profession.

Mark has spent his career advancing the field through education, research, and leadership, and we are incredibly proud of his leadership during this pivotal year.

We are also excited to celebrate Mark next month at the AOPA National Assembly in Las Vegas, where he will receive on of the prestigious Thranhardt Awards, a well-deserved recognition of his contributions to the profession.

Watch Mark share his perspective on the future ahead. ▶️https://youtu.be/w5P38xcbeWA

Dr. Mark Geil, Chair for the Live in Motion Foundation shares his p...