In brief: O&P finalists, KabaFusion deal, Apple update

WATERLOO, Iowa – The Orthotic and Prosthetic Group of America (OPGA) has announced the finalists for the 2025 O&P Woman of the Year Award. They are: 

• Fanny Schultea, MS, MSEd, CPO, LP, FAAOP(D), executive director, The Orthotics and Prosthetics Foundation for Education and Research; 

• Lesleigh Sisson, CFO, CFm, vice president & general manager, O&P Insight; 

• Arlene Gillis, founder and president, International Institute of Orthotics and Prosthetics; and 

• Radha Amrutia, owner & CPO, Bakersfield Prosthetics and Orthotics Center 

The women will be honored during the AOPA National Assembly on Sept. 4 in the Product Preview Theater within the exhibit hall. The annual award, sponsored by Össur and presented by OPGA, is open to all women who work in the O&P profession. This year’s finalists, the organizations say, have demonstrated exceptional dedication and leadership within their organizations, positively impacting patients and communities alike. Their contributions reflect the highest standards of the orthotics and prosthetics (O&P) profession, making them role models for aspiring professionals in the field, they say. 

Henry Schein goes ‘Back to School’ 

MELVILLE, N.Y. – For the 28th consecutive year, Henry Schein, Inc. is helping students worldwide start the academic year off right through its “Back to School” program, a flagship initiative of Henry Schein Cares, the Company’s global corporate citizenship program.  

On August 14, Henry Schein welcomed hundreds of children and their families to its event at the company’s worldwide headquarters here where approximately 400 pre-identified students received backpacks filled with school supplies, along with gift cards to help purchase their first day-of-school outfits. The evening was filled with family-friendly fun, including a barbecue, crafts, games, and engaging activities for all ages. To emphasize the value of education, the event featured a book tent offering a wide selection of free books generously donated by Team Schein Members and KPMG LLP – a U.S. audit, tax, and advisory firm – through its Family for Literacy program and partnership with First Book, a nonprofit social enterprise. This memorable gathering was just one of many “Back to School” celebrations taking place around the globe this season. 

Since 1998, Henry Schein’s "Back to School" program has provided TSMs with opportunities to make a difference through hands-on volunteerism. In partnership with not-for-profit social service organizations, TSMs pack backpacks full of school supplies and oral hygiene kits, helping underserved children start the school year with confidence. Over the years, the program has grown to a global scale, benefiting more than 75,000 children across the communities Henry Schein serves. 

KabaFusion inks deal with Memorial Hermann 

HOUSTON – Memorial Hermann Health System has established a services agreement with KabaFusion to provide home infusion therapy for patients with chronic conditions and for those who need intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) treatment. Memorial Hermann currently provides short-term home infusion therapy services. KabaFusion will help Memorial Hermann Home Infusion Pharmacy expand their services and continuity of care to patients with chronic conditions in need of treatments over a longer period of time. “We are always looking for new ways to advance the patient experience and improve health care for our patients,” said Binita Patel, PharmD, MS, CPEL, vice president of pharmacy services for Memorial Hermann. “This is the first time we have worked with a home infusion platform, and we believe working with KabaFusion will allow patients to receive personalized, compassionate care without having to leave the comfort of their homes.” KabaFusion, founded in 2010, offers specialty infusion pharmacy services as well as home nursing support for a wide range of infusion therapies prescribed by physicians specializing in neurology, immunology, oncology, pain management, infectious disease, cardiology, dermatology and nutrition. “We are excited to partner with Memorial Hermann in providing high quality, in-home care to the patients that need it most,” said Dr. Sohail Masood, founder and CEO of KabaFusion. “Every step KabaFusion takes in providing patient-focused care to new markets and greater segments of the population is a step towards an increased number of positive clinical and patient outcomes.” 

Related: KabaFusion expands footprint  

Prochant makes Inc. list 

CHARLOTTE, N.C. - Prochant has been named to the 2025 Inc. 5000 list of fastest-growing private companies in the United States for the fifth consecutive year, coming in at No. 2,683. During the three-year measurement period, the company delivered 156% revenue growth, scaling its AI-powered Prochant Pulse platform. "Being named to the Inc. 5000 for five straight years is an honor," said Joey Graham, CEO of Prochant. "It's a reflection of the trust our clients place in us, the work our teams do every day and our continued efforts to support providers in this critical segment of the healthcare system.” Prochant says it helps leading organizations in home medical equipment (HME), infusion and specialty pharmacy and home health & hospice overcome volatile payer requirements, staffing shortages and rising compliance expectations with a blend of expert services and technology. Pulse, Prochant's AI-driven proprietary technology, delivers real-time RCM analytics and intelligent workflows - from eligibility and prior authorizations to denial prevention, A/R resolution and cash posting. 

Ottobock NA builds bridges in MI 

YPSILANTI, Mich. - Ottobock North America will bring its Full Circle Movement event here in collaboration with Eastern Michigan University’s orthotics and prosthetics program.  The event, scheduled for Sept. 27, is open to participants of all ages and mobility levels to experience the power of movement in a supportive, high-energy environment. “At Ottobock, we believe movement is for everyone," said Lucas Crisanti, clinical specialist and coach at Ottobock North America. "Partnering with Eastern allows us to reach future O&P leaders while empowering the limb loss and limb difference community through Full Circle Movement. It's about building bridges between education, innovation, and inclusion." The Full Circle Movement invites participants to engage in community movement tailored for prosthesis users and individuals with limb loss or limb difference. Led by certified clinicians and Paralympic-level experts, the event fosters confidence and connection through movement. It also provides a hands-on opportunity for orthotics and prosthetics students and professionals to witness how mobility solutions come to life beyond the clinic. Also as part of the event, Ottobock will host a continuing education course, "The Athlete's Corner," on Sept. 26 at EMU's Student Center. Designed for practicing clinicians, the course offers three continuing education credits (CECs) and features hands-on training with a live patient model. 

Apple updates blood oxygen feature 

CUPERTINO, Calif. - Apple has introduced a redesigned blood oxygen feature for some Apple Watch Series 9, Series 10 and Apple Watch Ultra 2 users through an iPhone and Apple Watch software update. Users with these models in the U.S. who currently do not have the Blood Oxygen feature will have access to the redesigned Blood Oxygen feature by updating their paired iPhone to iOS 18.6.1 and their Apple Watch to watchOS 11.6.1. Following this update, sensor data from the Blood Oxygen app on Apple Watch will be measured and calculated on the paired iPhone, and results can be viewed in the Respiratory section of the Health app. “Apple’s teams work tirelessly to create products and services that empower users with industry-leading health, wellness, and safety features that are grounded in science and have privacy at the core,” the company stated. The update was enabled by a recent U.S. Customs ruling. Apple Watch Series 9, Series 10, and Apple Watch Ultra 2 also offer users irregular rhythm notifications, the ECG app, Sleep Apnea Notifications, Fall Detection, sleep tracking, wrist temperature sensing, the Vitals app, the Noise app, the Medications app, and the Mindfulness app. 

• For more information about the O&P Woman of the Year Award, including more information about each finalist, visit www.vgm.com/oandpwomanoftheyear.