ÖWLI is a unique gathering created to support women in O&P through networking and shared experiences.

Whether you have been part of the community for years or days, you are welcome to join us to hear stories from around the world that highlight the beautiful variety of journeys women are taking.

Össur values diversity, equity and inclusion, and has hosted ÖWLI since its inception to enhance the richness women add to the realm of O&P.

In just a few short hours, you can make connections across the globe, energizing your own career and helping to inspire others. From practical career advice to examples of nurturing women in our field, ÖWLI has something for everyone.

Sessions

“Glass Ceiling Among Female P&O Clinicians” - Dr. Arezoo Eshraghi (Toronto, Canada)

The presentation will cover the definition of glass ceiling and the results of a recent study done on female P&O clinicians to understand their perception of glass ceiling. It will also cover real stories of P&O clinicians who experienced glass ceiling during their career.

“Attracting and Retaining O&P Clinicians” - Lori Pipinich (Houston, Texas, USA)

Are we doing a good job of attracting and retaining young talent to the O&P profession? Lori will discuss current trends and share new ideas for ways we can improve retention rates.

“Paths to Leadership – My Journey” - Sandra Ramdial (Toronto, Canada)

In order for our profession to be successful and continue to thrive, it is imperative that we have diverse representation in leadership. This includes leadership within clinics, hospitals, professional associations, and all other entities that make decisions about how our profession is run and how we serve our diverse patient population. Sandra will discuss the path she took to becoming an international leader and board member in the O&P profession and offer advice on how you, too can step into leadership and decision-making roles.

The “Flavors” of Success - Cosi Belloso (Valrico, Florida, USA)

The “flavors” of success come in many different forms as does the many methods needed for serving our diverse O&P community. In this presentation Cosi will share her career path and her multi-faceted and unique solutions for serving patients in various communities. 

Stay Curious - the best is yet to come! - Sarah McCarvill (Bremen, Germany)

Curiosity and a craving to learn are great tools for discovering your strengths, finding new opportunities and getting you through career challenges.  I will share some tips about what this has looked like in practice for me and illustrate how this philosophy continues to guide and energize my journey today; because, who knows what's coming next? - I only know that the best is yet to come!

Meet our speakers

Dr. Arezoo Eshraghi

Dr. Eshraghi is a Certified Prosthetist CP (c) and researcher at West Park Healthcare Centre in Toronto, ON. She has Bachelors and Masters of Science both in Prosthetics & Orthotics, and a PhD in Biomedical Engineering. In her clinical work, she is passionate about providing amputee care by upper- and lower-limb prosthetic devices designed using up-to-date technology. As a researcher, she has been involved in several research projects in collaboration with teams across the globe including Ossur R&D in Iceland, focusing on amputee gait, outcome measures, lower extremity prosthesis design and more. She is keen to develop and explore new rehabilitation technologies by designing and fitting 3D sockets for her clients. As a female activist in the field of P&O, Arezoo recently initiated and led a project to study glass ceiling among the female P&O clinicians, results of which will be presented during this OWLI conference.

Lori Pipinich

Lori Pipinich, is an experienced American Board-Certified prosthetist, with over 25 years of clinical expertise.   Driven by patient care and clinical outcomes, she takes pride in providing the best prosthesis possible.  As a senior clinical specialist at Care Prosthetics in Houston, TX, her goals include mentoring new clinicians, and leaving a lasting legacy. Lori joined Hanger Clinic in November of 1993, as a young clinician. It was there she became one of the first females to embrace vacuum technology when it became available in 1995.  As a result, she was in a select group of six individuals to be taught the textured flexible socket by Carl Caspers. Lori has since become renown within the profession as a leading expert on vacuum technology, traveling around the country to teach clinicians how to properly apply vacuum sockets.  Lori has been recognized twice for her outstanding accomplishments by Hanger Clinic, including 2012 when she was awarded the Hanger Innovation Award for her development of a unique technique to scan for vacuum. Throughout her career she has instructed numerous clinicians on vacuum and on reimbursement strategies for insurance approvals. In addition, Lori has sat on the advisory boards for Otto Bock and Ossur.

Sandra Ramdial

Sandra Ramdial is a certified prosthetist and operations manager for the Orthotics and Prosthetics department at Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital in Toronto, Canada and has direct involvement in client care for over 30 years.

Sandra has completed her post-graduate studies in Clinical Methods of Orthotics and Prosthetics as well as Prosthetic-Orthotic technician program at George Brown College.  She has demonstrated evidence of high professional standing and is a Fellow with Orthotics Prosthetics Canada.  She is the past president of the Canadian Association of Prosthetics & Orthotics and the International Society for Prosthetics & Orthotics (ISPO) Canada.  This past year, Sandra finished her term as Secretary-Treasurer for the Association of Children’s Prosthetic-Orthotic Clinics and is an Executive Board Member for the International Board of ISPO.

Cosi Belloso

Cosi Belloso is a mother of 4 beautiful children, a violinist, a runner, physical therapist, and a recent breast cancer survivor. She has been involved in health care since she was 14 years old and started as an American Red Cross volunteer at Brooke Army Medical Center (BAMC) in Ft Sam Houston, Texas.  She is a graduate of Florida International University with a Masters in Physical Therapy. 

After beating breast cancer in 2016, she opened her own clinic so she could focus on helping her favorite patient population, amputees.  Since then, she has had the honor of continuing to help amputees of all levels and different walks of life regain their mobility. Cosi also hosts Cosi Talks, a weekly live show where she answers questions about recovery from limb loss.

Sarah McCarvill

With a background in both Psychology and Engineering, Sarah enjoyed a diverse 16 year career at Ottobock both in the US and Germany in product development and product management leadership roles. She is currently living and working in Germany as Director of Product Management for the company BEGO.  BEGO ist a well known, German medical device manufacturer in the dental industry.