Dawson Breyer, a second-year Master of Prosthetics & Orthotics (MPO) student, was selected by his peers to represent the UW MPO Program at the American Orthotic and Prosthetic Association (AOPA) Policy Forum on April 13–14, 2026.
Each year, the prosthetics and orthotics community meets in Washington, D.C., for the AOPA Policy Forum, an event where students, professionals, and advocates engage directly with lawmakers. Breyer met with senators and representatives from both Washington and North Dakota. According to Assistant Professor Beth Halsne, PhD, MSE, L/CPO, who attended the event as a private citizen, Breyer represented the profession effectively during those meetings.
The AOPA Policy Forum is supported by organizations such as the National Commission on Prosthetic and Orthotic Education (NCOPE) and the American Academy of Orthotists and Prosthetists (AAOP). The forms give students the opportunity to engage with policymakers and advance priorities important to the orthotics and prosthetics profession.
Breyer is scheduled to graduate this June and will begin his residency at Sanford Health in North Dakota.