Academy Announces Inaugural Top Sponsor Award
The American Academy of Orthotists and Prosthetists is proud to announce the launch of its Inaugural Top Sponsor Award, which will be presented during the 2026 Academy’s Annual Meeting & Scientific Symposium. This new award recognizes an industry partner whose sustained, year-round support advances education, innovation, and professional growth across the orthotics and prosthetics (O&P) profession.
The Academy is honored to present the inaugural Top Sponsor Award to ALPS South in recognition of its long-standing partnership and ongoing commitment to strengthening the O&P community.
Academy sponsors play a vital role in advancing the organization’s mission throughout the year—supporting educational programming, fostering collaboration, and enhancing professional development opportunities across the Academy’s full portfolio of initiatives. While the Annual Meeting provides an opportunity to formally recognize these contributions, their impact extends well beyond a single event.
“This award reflects the depth and continuity of ALPS’ partnership with the Academy,” said Gerald Stark, PhD, MSEM, CPO, LPO, FAAOP(D), President of the Academy. “Their year-round support enables education, innovation, and professional engagement that benefits clinicians and, ultimately, the patients they serve. ALPS is a true collaborator in advancing our shared mission, and we are grateful for their continued leadership.”
As the inaugural recipient, ALPS South emphasized the shared mission behind the partnership. “At ALPS, our mission has always been to make lives better,” said Shannon Samon, VP of Operations. “Partnering with the Academy allows us to bring that mission to life by supporting innovation, education, and professional growth within the O&P community—ultimately helping clinicians deliver the best outcomes for the patients they serve.”
The Academy is proud to recognize ALPS South as the first recipient of the Top Sponsor Award and looks forward to continuing this recognition in future years—celebrating partners whose sustained investment strengthens the profession and supports long-term impact.