The Collaborative Spotlight

A Resident's Perspective

Audra Koopman,
COPI Orthotic and Prosthetic Resident

How long have you been in the profession?

I began my prosthetics and orthotics journey in 2022 when I began the P&O program at the University of Washington-Seattle.

What is your educational background (college through certification)?

I completed my bachelors degree in Kinesiology - Movement Science at The Pennsylvania State University where I ran track and competed in long jump for 4 years. After a short break back home in Colorado, I enrolled in the Masters program at UW and graduated in June of 2024. Currently, I am completing my 18-month dual residency at The Center for Orthotics and Prosthetics Incorporated in Memphis, TN. I aim to be finished with the examinations and certification process in May of 2026.

What are your professional affiliations?

Currently, I am a member of the American Academy of Orthotists and Prosthetists (AAOP), the International African-American Prosthetic and Orthotic Coalition (IAAPOC), as well as the International Society for Prosthetics and Orthotics (ISPO). As I progress in this career, I aim to be a part of other professional associations.

Why did you choose this profession?

I chose this profession for a number of reasons! I have familial ties to this area of work as my mother was the massage therapist for the US Amputee Soccer Team (USAST) in Seattle, WA and my father played on the team in the late 80s/early 90s. I always knew I wanted to work with human anatomy and biomechanics in a health setting but couldn’t find a practice that engaged all of my talents and interests until I learned more about P&O. After a short internship with the USAST, I realized there was an untouched world of prostheses and orthoses that I was unaware of. I began searching for programs and thought it was quite fitting there was one in Seattle!

What has changed most about the field since you first became a practitioner?

As I am not a certified practitioner yet, I am only commenting on the changes I have seen as a student and resident. Recently, I have seen an influx of women as students, board-eligible practitioners, educators, and certified practitioners. This is extremely motivating and assuring within a field that has historically been white and male. Especially with the current devaluation of women’s contributions in the workplace, this trend gives me security and pride within this profession.

What has been most satisfying about your decision to go into the field?

The most satisfying and rewarding aspect of this decision is that I am embodying the practitioner myself and so many other Black and Brown folks are worthy of having in healthcare. So often our needs go unmet, our frustrations ignored, and our personal experience disregarded. A practitioner who involves the patient, listens to them, and creates a horizontal relationship rather than an authoritative one is what I strive to be in this profession. Engaging with children and showing them that people who look like us DO have the talent and ability to serve our communities as well as create a fun collaborative healthcare environment is the most satisfying piece for me.

What has been the most frustrating?

The most frustrating aspect of this field is the resistance to change, inclusivity, and advocacy. This field could be elevated to begin initiatives that address diabetes management, exclusionary practices within rehab medicine and educational programs, the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion, as well as advocacy for those impacted internationally by genocide and war. There are so many opportunities for organizations within P&O to lead tangible changes within policy as advocates for the people we serve and claim to have empathy for. However, instead of welcoming these initiatives and areas for immediate action, I have seen a refusal to participate or even acknowledge the horrors and injustices that impact those who need prosthetic and orthotic services. There is room for so much more to be done in these areas, and the time to begin was yesterday.

What professional accomplishment are you most proud of?

I consider completing my Master’s program the professional accomplishment I am most proud of. On top of the rigor and extreme time commitment of the program, my mother was diagnosed with a brain tumor and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and underwent treatment throughout my time in Seattle. As my rock, there were many times I thought about deferring the program to return to be her caretaker. Family at home and friends rallied behind my mother and I and helped me feel comfortable finishing this program to secure a better spot financially and professionally to improve our future together. Three other family members were diagnosed with varying cancers during my program and my aunt tragically passed away in my second to last quarter. While I don’t romanticize struggle and not taking a break for family emergencies, I know that finishing my studies throughout these added situations was something that I didn’t believe I could do. I know my aunt would be proud that I finished with a 3.81 GPA and I will continue to make her and mother proud with the momentum I have gained!

If you were speaking to high school or college students, what would you say to encourage them to choose this profession?

I would encourage them to really evaluate their empathy, dedication, and commitment to non-judgement before traveling down this career path. While extremely rewarding and invigorating, this field needs students who are passionate about this work and able to overcome the challenges it presents. I would encourage them to stay true to their values while exploring everything that O&P has to offer. It’s a profession that keeps you on your toes (literally) with no two days that look the same. If they’re looking for days filled with problem solving, patient interaction, biomechanics and anatomy with a bit of art thrown in there, then this career is perfect for them! I would also encourage them to get involved with some of the disability sports organizations to interact with folks who use O&P devices to see the wide variety of what they would be seeing on a day to day basis!

How has your Academy membership been valuable to you?

The Academy membership has been valuable to me because it has allowed me to connect with other diverse professionals in the field that have offered mentorship, guidance, problem solving strategies, and many laughs! I would not have gained the extra motivation I needed to complete my program had I not been given the opportunity to join and attend the annual meeting for IAAPOC through the Academy.

In an effort to get a sense of what your interests are outside of O&P, what do you like to do when you are not working?

This is a great question as work-life balance is extremely important to me! Outside of work, I enjoy creating artwork within painting, writing, and drawing mediums, running/walking/hanging out outside, and rollerskating either with a group at the rink or solo out in the sun. Moving my body and engaging with my community are the best ways to keep me healthy and able to continue the important work we have throughout the week. Currently, I have been enjoying wandering around my new area in Memphis and finding historical sites, hidden artwork, and beautiful southern scenery.

What’s one thing that people in the O&P industry would be surprised to know about you?

I am a proud plant mom of 12 plants! I recently acquired a money tree, ZZ plant, rosemary plant and am propagating pothoses from my larger pothos as well as a pencil cactus. I love plants and am looking forward to filling my apartment with more of them! Next on the list is an aloe vera plant.

How does diversity enhance the O&P field?

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion doesn’t just enhance the O&P field as a whole, it enhances the experiences of those we vow to serve and it expands the reach of our civil service. Without the opportunity (and I believe this is an area that needs immense improvement) for diverse clinicians to enter into this field and serve their communities, those same minoritized communities will continue to be left out of an area that disproportionately directly impacts them. DEI gives us different perspectives that add an abundance of ideas, strategies, and cultural influences to our work which can never operate with a “one size fits all” mentality. Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion benefits us all immensely but will severely limit every one of us if it is not emphasized and valued.