ACPOC Newsletter - Summer 2026

NEWS

Summer 2026

Volume 48

Letter from the

Editor

As we reflect on another successful year, I would like to extend a sincere moment of
gratitude to everyone who helped make our Annual meeting a memorable and
productive event.
Our 2026 ACPOC meeting was the most successful since Covid in 2020! Some
highlights include 241 attendees, two Platinum Sponsors: OP Specialty Bracing, and Shriners Children’s, a full exhibit hall, exceptional speakers, and fun had the networking event. We welcomed our new President Rebecca Spragg MSP, CPO, anew Vice President Corey Gill, MD/MA, and two board members Calli Clark MSPO, CPO/L, and Anisah Mirza MBA, CPO/L.

The meeting provided an excellent opportunity to celebrate our accomplishments, discuss the challenges and opportunities ahead, and reaffirm our mission of pediatric care. The thoughtful discussions during the sessions, valuable speakers with messages of hope and perseverance, and collaborative spirit demonstrates, our commitment to this industry and serving our pediatric population.

To our industry partners, thank you for your continued support, innovation, and
collaboration. Your partnership plays a vital role in advancing our mission and creating
opportunities for growth. Thank you to the Pritzker Foundation for their continued generous support.

To our members thank you for your engagement, dedication, and unwavering
commitment. Your participation and commitment to pediatric quality care are the foundation of everything ACPOC stands for.
To the ACPOC Board, thank you, for your leadership, vision, and countless hours of
service. Your guidance and vision continues to shape the direction of our organization.

As we move into the coming year, we remain committed to building on the momentum created to during our annual meeting. We continue to bring platforms for education in

DocMatters, webinars, and this newsletter. Looking forward to the upcoming year and
preparing for the 2027 annual meeting in Grand Rapids Michigan.

Connie Summers, CO

Wrap up

2026 Philadelphia Meeting

Congratulations to our New investigator award recipients

First Place

Development and Implementation of a Bibliotherapy Intervention to Improve Attitudes Towards Device Use for Orthoses and Prosthesis Users Aged 3-12

Caitlin Bowman Martwinski, MSPO

Second Place

Short-Term Outcomes of the Boston Night Shift in the Treatment of Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis: A Retrospective Study

Courtney Klapka, CPO, Mallory Silvers, MPO, Sophia Valls, CO, and James Wynne, CPO, FAAOP

Third Place

Clinical Outcome Measurement in Pediatric Lower Limb Prosthetics: A Modified Delphi Consensus Study

Anna Cook, MPO, CO, LO, Sara Morgan, PhD, CPO, Dylan Mann, MD, Lauren Levey, MSPO, CPO, LPO, Annabelle Vaage, PT, DPT, Meghan Munger, PhD, MPH, Jennifer Laine, MD, Michelle Hall, MS, CPO, LPO, FAAOP(D)

Thank You...

Thank you to the Presidential Speaker

Jessica Cox

Think Outside the Shoe

Thank you to our Hector Kay Lecturer

Dr. Susan Apkon

Rewriting the SMA Story: Lessons from a Decade of Breakthrough Therapies

Networking Event

Big thank you to our host Shriners for sponsoring the event at Queen & Rook

Get Involved

Get involved with Board members and other ACPOC members by joining a committee

STATEMENT FROM ACPOC ON

EQUALITY

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We, the members of ACPOC, stand in solidarity against the violent acts of racism and gender discrimination that have led to the recent and horrific deaths of Nina Pop, Tony McDade, Monika Diamond, Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, and George Floyd, and those names who remain unnamed or unknown. At a time when racial and ethnic minorities are already disproportionately affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, there is yet another terror to face within our communities. To live in constant fear for safety simply because you look or seem different within your own community, and even your own home, is agonizing. To suffer innocently at the hands of the same government that is meant to protect you is inhumane and intolerable. Where is the “liberty and justice for all”?

Change begins with recognizing the long-standing systemic racism and marginalization of individuals and groups that is embedded in our society for many generations.  But this is not enough. We must speak out and demand a difference. If not, we passively allow what we know in our hearts is wrong. We must challenge the day-to-day ignorance that is pervasive and openly offer our support and love to those who are targeted.

As members of ACPOC, we devote our lives to the children and families who frequently experience bullying and feeling ostracized from society. We know firsthand the power of expressing our heartfelt support and the importance of advocacy within the home, our schools, and our communities. We would like to urge all ACPOC members to extend that same support to the families and communities experiencing so much pain, loss, and fear right now. Take the time to ask those around you if they are OK. If they feel safe. Stop and listen to their stories. And if you feel targeted or unsafe, seek a friend or colleague you trust and share your experience. We cannot fight this in our silos. As we grieve together, we can also build a stronger, safer, fairer world that celebrates our differences — together.

New Board Members Positions

Spotlight

Rebecca Spragg, CPO President

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At our 2026 Annual Meeting, I accepted a challenge from Jessica Cox: open a can of Diet Coke using only my feet.
If you’ve ever watched Jessica do this, you know she makes it look effortless. I, on the other hand, did not.
Fortunately, I was not doing it alone. With plenty of encouragement, coaching, and expert advice from the ACPOC community (and a healthy dose of laughter), I eventually succeeded—and even managed to impress Jessica.
It was a fun moment, but it also reminded me why ACPOC is such a special organization. None of us has all the answers, and none of us is expected to. Whenever a challenge arises, I know I can count on this community. Whether it’s a quick phone call, a thoughtful DocMatter discussion, or an inspiring conference presentation, I have
access to some of the brightest and most passionate professionals in pediatric rehabilitation. Together, we’re always stronger than we are individually.
As I begin my term as President, that sense of community gives me tremendous optimism. Healthcare continues to evolve, bringing new challenges and new opportunities. More than ever, our patients and families need strong advocates, innovative clinicians, and a collaborative professional community dedicated to helping
children reach their fullest potential.
This year, we’re strengthening that commitment by revitalizing our committee structure, including the launch of a new Advocacy Committee. Our committees are where ideas become action—whether that’s developing educational programming, strengthening member engagement, building industry partnerships, expanding our communications, planning outstanding meetings, or advocating for the children and families we serve.
You’ll find each committee’s purpose in this newsletter, along with information on how you can get involved. I encourage you to sign up for a committee that matches your interests and expertise.
I’m honored to follow in the footsteps of the outstanding leaders who have guided ACPOC before me—Phoebe, Colleen, Anna, and so many others who have built the organization we enjoy today. My goal is not simply to continue their work, but to build on it together with all of you.
Thank you for the trust you’ve placed in me. I look forward to working alongside each of you as we continue moving ACPOC forward. And if that journey occasionally requires us to learn something unexpected—like opening a can of Diet Coke with our feet—I know we’ll figure it out together.
Onward together,
Becca

Corey Gill MD, MA Vice President

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I am honored to serve as ACPOC’s incoming Vice President. As a pediatric orthopedic surgeon at Scottish Rite for Children in Dallas, my clinical passion is caring for children with limb differences. One of the things I value most about ACPOC is the opportunity to collaborate with professionals from so many different disciplines who share the same commitment to helping children and families thrive. Over the next two years, I hope to strengthen those multidisciplinary partnerships, welcome greater surgeon engagement in ACPOC, and explore new opportunities for international collaboration and outreach.

When I’m not at the hospital, I enjoy reading, cooking, and playing golf with my son, Clark. This fall, Clark begins his freshman year at the University of Wisconsin, while my daughter Kate starts her junior year of high school and serves as captain of her high school water polo team. My wife, Jennifer, has been my partner in countless adventures since we went skydiving on our first date 26 years ago. As a family, we love to travel and make new memories together. I recently had the opportunity to visit my seventh continent and am already looking forward to planning our next adventure.

Anisah Mirza, MBA, CPO/L

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Anisah Mirza, MBA, CPO/L is a Certified Prosthetist Orthotist with more than 16 years of experience in orthotics and prosthetics. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Biology from the University of Colorado Boulder, completed her orthotics and prosthetics training at Northwestern University, and holds an MBA from the University of Missouri–St. Louis.

Anisah spent most of her clinical career specializing in pediatric orthotic and prosthetic care at Shriners Hospitals for Children in St. Louis and Chicago. She also served as an instructor in Northwestern University’s Master of Science in Prosthetics and Orthotics program, where she taught and mentored future orthotic and prosthetic clinicians.

Building on her clinical and academic experience, Anisah now serves as a Clinical Specialist with Cascade Orthopedic Supply. In this role, she provides clinical education, product training, and technical support to clinicians throughout the United States. She develops and delivers continuing education programs, supports patient fittings, and works closely with manufacturers and clinicians to advance evidence-based orthotic and prosthetic care.

Anisah is passionate about advancing the orthotics and prosthetics profession through clinician education, mentorship, and the thoughtful integration of innovative technologies. She is dedicated to helping clinicians improve patient outcomes through practical, evidence-based education and collaborative clinical support.

In her spare time Anisah enjoys spending time with her husband and dog, and checking out the foodie scene in Chicago.

Calli Clark, MSPO, CPO/L

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Calli Clark is a certified prosthetist orthotist and Director of Orthotics and Prosthetics at Shriners Children’s Philadelphia. She was first introduced to O&P while pursuing my bachelor’s degree in biomedical engineering. Her initial impression was “Wow, this is really fun and interesting to learn about.” After all these years as a CPO, she still thinks O&P is really and fun and interesting to learn about! One of her favorite part of my job is the opportunity to travel to outreach clinics –she has been to Panama and travels to Puerto Rico four times a year.

Some fun facts about Calli: She has 2 kids, 2 dogs, 2 cats, and only 1 husband. She is an avid golfer and have been in Golf Digest three times, most recently when she was the invited speaker at the Timothy J Piazza Foundation memorial golf outing which supports providing prosthetics to children.