Please meet 2nd year Master of Prosthetics & Orthotics student, Audra Koopman.
Where are you from and where did you go to school?
Born in Seattle, raised in Fort Collins, CO. Attended Penn State University, competed in Track and Field for 4 years and graduated with a bachelors in kinesiology with an emphasis in movement science.
Why did you choose Prosthetics & Orthotics?
I chose this specialty due to familial ties to adaptive sports and massage therapy for children with special needs as well as my passion for helping others achieve their goals. I have seen firsthand how important prosthetic and orthotic care can be to family and friends and I wanted to become a holistic clinician to give back to my community.
What are your research interests?
For my capstone, I am creating a research proposal with an end goal to improve the prosthetic and orthotic care as well as health outcomes for Black and Brown communities. Marginalized groups have poor health outcomes due to many social determinants of health often out of our control, so I am interested in using personal experiences of P&O patients and feedback from P&O clinicians to propose outreach efforts to mitigate this large disparity!
What are your plans after your MPO?
After completing my Master of Prosthetics & Orthotics, I will go on to complete a residency in each discipline before sitting for my board exams to become a Certified Prosthetist Orthotist. I am currently in the process of searching for a residency, but wouldn't mind taking some time off to travel, take a breath, and celebrate the conclusion of my academic career!
What do you like to do in your spare time?
In my (limited) spare time I enjoy being active outdoors, roller skating, adventuring around Seattle, practicing yoga, playing pickleball and card games with my friends, drawing/painting, and sitting by the beautiful water!
Do you have any special successes you’d like to share?
I was recently selected to participate in the AOPA (American Prosthetic and Orthotic Association) Policy Forum where we lobbied for the Medicare Orthotics and Prosthetics Patient-Centered Care Act with our Washington representatives in the house and senate. This was a great opportunity to advance my advocacy skills and expand my activism experience!
