The American Orthotic & Prosthetic Association recently announced it will present Thomas V. DiBello, CO, with the 2015 Lifetime Achievement Award, which is given to those who have made exceptional contributions to the O&P profession.
Thomas DiBello
DiBello earned an O&P certificate at Northwestern University and completed his residency at the University of Oklahoma, according to a recent press release.
After 8 years as a clinician, DiBello grew a small practice in Texas, which he eventually merged with Hanger Clinic, and now serves as Gulf Coast Regional Director.
DiBello has lectured on lower extremity orthotics in throughout the United States and abroad and has authored chapters in the new Atlas of Orthotics and other textbooks.
He served on the American Orthotic & Prosthetic Association (AOPA)’s board of directors for 5 years, including two terms as president. He also served on the American Academy of Orthotists & Prosthetists’ board for 6 years and served as president from 2000 to 2001, according to the release.
DiBello currently serves as a clinical assistant professor at Baylor College of Medicine, School of Allied Health; an honorary adjunct faculty at Texas Women’s University; and chairman of the Advisory Committee of the Baylor College of Medicine master’s program on orthotics and prosthetics.
He will be honored at the 2015 AOPA National Assembly in San Antonio, Texas.
“Mr. DiBello is this year’s honoree because of his relentless passion for patient care, O&P education and advancing the profession,” Charles Dankmeyer, AOPA president, said in the release. “Tom is a true visionary who has made a huge impact through his leadership at the Academy, AOPA, O&P educational programs and his other volunteer work.”
Reference: www.aopanet.org.
