Lifetime Achievement Award

Each year AOPA presents the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award.  This honor is bestowed on individuals who have made significant contributions to the field of orthotics and prosthetics.

Lifetime Achievement Award Recipients

2021 – Present

2025 Anita Liberman, Lampear, MA

2024 Larry Word, CPO, FAAOP

2023 Marty Carlson, CPO, FAAOP (D) and Ossur Kristinsson

2022 Carl Caspers, CPO

2021 Brad Ruhl

2011 – 2020

2020 Arturo Vasquez-Vela*

2019 James Kaiser, CP, LP

2018 C. Michael Schuch, CPO, FAAOP, FISPO*

2017 Saeed Zahedi, PhD

2016 Thomas Watson, CP

2015 Thomas V. DiBello, CO, FAAOP

2014 Karl Fillauer, CPO, FAAOP

2013 Hans Georg Nader

2012 Wade Barghausen, CPO (E)

2011 Rudolf B. Becker, III and Robert E. Arbogast

2001 – 2010

2010 Ivan R. Sabel, CPO

2009 Anthony J. Filippis, Jr., CPO

2008 Anthony J. Filippis, Jr., CPO

2007 Charles H. Dankmeyer, Jr., CPO

2006 Garvin D. Marty

2005 Joe Cestaro, CPO

2004 David C. Schultz, CPO*

2003 Donald E. Hardin

2002 H.E. “Ted” Thranhardt, CPO

2001 Ralph “Ronney” Snell, CPO, FAAOP*

1994 – 2000

2000 Sam E. Hamontree, CP

1999 Roy Snelson, CPO (E)

1998 Al Muilenburg, CPO

1997 Carlton Fillauer, CPO

1996 Charles W. Rosenquist, CO*

1995 Ben Moss* & Anthony Filippis Sr., CPO

1994 Louis Pulizzi, CPO*

This award recognizes outstanding leaders who have made significant, lifelong contributions to advancing O&P. These individuals represent the brightest and most influential minds that have shaped the profession, driven innovation, and left a lasting impact on the O&P community.

• Volunteerism – The individual has contributed substantial time and expertise to the profession and the patients we serve in the form of humanitarian service, meaningful contributions to national and/or state O&P organizations or at an academic institute.
• Research – The individual has contributed substantial time and expertise to further the profession through their research.
• Inventions and/or Products – The individual has developed influential tools, models, or devices that have significantly advanced processes and/or patient outcomes.
• Presentations and Publications – The individual has made meaningful contributions to the body of knowledge through conference presentations, articles, books, etc.
• Programs and Projects: The individual designed or implemented one or more high-impact programs or projects that have been widely replicated.
• Service and Mentorship: The individual has contributed substantial time and expertise to help build the profession through organizations or networks, serving on relevant boards or committees, and/or mentoring others.

Key Dates:

It is intended for individuals with at least two decades of documented accomplishments in the O&P profession that have had a large impact on individuals and/or organizations. The impact may be demonstrated in one or more of the following ways:

• Nomination Deadline: May 5, 2026
• Awardee notification: By July 3, 2026
• Award Presentation: During the 2026 National Assembly in Las Vegas, September 9-12

After the nomination period closes, the AOPA Board of Directors will carefully select the 2026 recipient.

Questions? Please contact Joy Klapp at jklapp@AOPAnet.org.