How Passionate Clinicians Are Redefining “Possible”

After 25 years of involvement in the Orthotics & Prosthetics profession—though not as a clinician myself—I’ve come to deeply appreciate the life-changing work done by O&P professionals every day. I started at the American Board for Certification in O, P and P running the facility accreditation department. Now I find myself at OPIE Software where I focus on helping our customers leverage the incredible data in their practice’s backbone (OPIE) to improve profitability and patient care. It can be incredibly rewarding, and it can be equally frustrating.  But what continues to revitalize my passion is hearing from the amazing people who use OPIE Software as a cornerstone of their practice.  This week, one such customer sent me an email (and I asked permission to use it!) that changed my mind about the content of this blog. 

When Nancy and her husband opened the doors of their practice in 2012, OPIE wasn’t just a tool—she says they saw it as their guide to running and managing their business successfully from day one. Using OPIE to its fullest was fundamental, driving their growth and helping them deliver exceptional patient care.  

Nancy and Mark were and are proactive.  They have engaged with OPIE, participated in education, asked tough questions and challenged us.  And we have challenged them, helped them grow and be ready for the “next thing.”  It is a core belief at OPIE that together we are way smarter than any one of us. We facilitate the growth and transfer of knowledge so that we all can benefit from that collective wisdom.  

Just a couple weeks ago, I sat down with another successful business owner. I did not get permission from him to share details, but I can tell you that his business is transitioning to the second generation.  The “kids” share his love of continuing education and he is intelligent enough to give them the leash they need to put their mark on the business.  But I digress.  His calling now, if you will, is to help other small practices succeed.  He shares our belief that as a community of care providers, we have the answers.  Sometimes we just need a little help uncovering them.  OPIE Software, he says, is what has allowed him to be successful. It reliably and consistently gives him the information he needs to understand what is happening at both a macro and a micro level, not only in his clinics, but also the ones he is helping.  

OPIE is uniquely positioned in our field.  It is the only comprehensive practice management solution that is FUBU.  Nancy wrote: “Paul isn’t just a software developer—he’s a CPO and a business owner who truly understands the needs of our industry.”  And from my perspective, having known Paul for the better part of 26 years, I know that he is insanely committed to the field.  He pours everything into making O&P better.   

Nancy goes on to say that Paul’s unique perspective as a CPO who has a software company is a powerful combination that has transformed OPIE into a comprehensive framework designed to help practices operate with maximum efficiency and performance.  She has observed that the past three years have been especially exciting, watching Paul and his team pour their energy into creating the next generation of OPIE. After attending a mastermind meeting in Providence, she said it was clear “the new capabilities were nothing short of game-changing.” That excitement was so powerful that Miller Prosthetics & Orthotics plans to bring eight out of their ten employees to the upcoming OPIE Summit—committing fully to mastering these innovations and raising their practice to the highest level. 

If that doesn’t make you feel good, I don’t know what does.  The Millers are not alone.  We have several customers who are bringing the bulk of their staff to this Summit.  They have gotten a whiff of what OPIE IS…and it is not what you think! 

Personally, I am excited to work with people who are genuinely interested in making their practices better.  We want efficiency, optimization, and a better way to do things, but we are smart enough to know that the easy way is not always the best way.  We are scientists, we like to test our theories.  That is what OPIE is all about.  Question it, push it, test it. And then implement it.   

Nancy closes her email with this: “If you’re serious about advancing your O&P business, this isn’t just an event—it’s an investment in your future. The people who use OPIE aren’t just users; they’re innovators, leaders, and passionate changemakers dedicated to delivering the best outcomes for their patients. 

Here’s to the awesome OPIE community—making a difference every single day.” 

 Thank you, Nancy!