The Academy Acquires Orthotic and Prosthetic Innovative Technologies Conference (OPTech)

Academy expands its education portfolio with OPTech, the conference driving innovation in orthotics and prosthetics.

The American Academy of Orthotists and Prosthetists (the Academy) today announced the acquisition of the Orthotic and Prosthetic Innovative Technologies Conference (OPTech), strengthening its role as the leading source of education and collaboration for advancing patient care in the O&P profession.
 
Founded in 2016 by Matthew Garibaldi, MS, CPO, OPTech ensures the orthotics and prosthetics profession remains at the forefront of healthcare innovation. Designed as a collaborative forum, OPTech brings together clinicians, scientists, entrepreneurs, and researchers to share ideas, highlight breakthroughs, and accelerate the adoption of technologies that transform patient outcomes. Past conferences have been hosted at the University of California, San Francisco, the University of Michigan, and Gillette Children’s.
 
"OPTech directly supports the Academy’s mission to advance education, research, and collaboration," said Academy President Gerald Stark, PhD, MSEM, CPOL, FAAOP(D). "It gives our community a vital forum to engage with new technology, form partnerships, and bring innovation into practice."
 
The next OPTech Conference will be held June 5–6, 2026, at the William and Ida Friday Center for Continuing Education at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Sean Zeller, MBA, MSPO, CPO, Director of Prosthetics and Orthotics at UNC, will serve as Conference Chair.
 
Reflecting on OPTech’s origins, Matthew Garibaldi, MS, CPO, the conference’s founder, added, "OPTech was founded to give the profession a space to explore innovation and its impact on patient care. The Academy is the ideal steward to expand its reach and ensure it continues to drive progress in O&P."
 
For more information about OPTech and upcoming Academy events, visit oandp.org.