OPGA, Össur announce grant recipients

WATERLOO, Iowa – OPGA and Össur Americas have announced the recipients of two O&P grants. Avery-Claire Littleton has been selected as the 2025 recipient of the Russell Walker CP, LP Emerging Leader Grant, and Nicole Bakovich has been selected as the 2025 recipient of the Todd Eagen Advocacy in Action Memorial Grant.  

“We are excited to announce Avery-Claire and Nicole as the recipients of these two grants that will help them grow their careers and contribute to the field of O&P," said Nikki Grace, director of OPGA. “In partnership with Össur, we look forward to watching Avery-Claire and Nicole advance the O&P profession as the next generation of O&P leaders in their journey to enhance mobility and improve lives.”  

Both annual grants are designed to provide funding to O&P residents and certified orthotists or prosthetists that will allow them to attend and participate in two non-clinical events in the O&P profession: an advocacy event and the Challenged Athletes Foundation Triathlon Challenge. “Össur is committed to helping people world-wide improve their mobility with our innovative prosthetic solutions, which is why Össur has partnered with organizations like OPGA to come together and offer professional development opportunities for the future leaders of O&P while memorializing Russell Walker and Todd Eagen,” said Frances Thorpe, marketing & communications manager with Össur. “Össur is looking forward to supporting our next generation of residents, enhancing and elevating their future in the O&P profession.”

For more information about the Russell Walker CP, LP Emerging Leader Grant, click here. 

For more information about the Todd Eagen Advocacy in Action Memorial Grant, click here. 

• Related: Get to know last year’s award recipients, Matthew Jones and Kelley Berk.