About OPC
About OPC                  

Certified Orthotists and Prosthetists have extensive training in  and pathology (particularly relating to nerve, muscle and bone). OPC members combine their training with a deep understanding of materials and manufacturing, mechanical engineering, and biomechanics. Our members assess and fabricate custom solutions for pain relief, healing, mobility, prevention of injury and deformity. Ultimately, OPC Certified Clinicians & Registered Technicians are focused on improving quality of life.

Certified Clinicians and Registered Technicians often work as part of a team that includes physiotherapists, occupational therapists, nursing, physicians and medical specialists in orthopedics, physiatry and more.

It takes 8 years to become a certified practitioner; including a two year residency. In addition to requiring continuing education to maintain OPC credentials, many members have further training with specialties within the field.

Our Vision

To lead the orthotic and prosthetic profession by fostering inclusion, innovation, and collaboration to transform lives through the provision of exceptional patient care.

Strategic Plan
Our Mission

Champion a commitment to excellence and a passion for helping individuals optimize mobility and independence by:

  • Supporting a culture of inclusivity, diversity, equity, and accessibility
  • Developing and upholding national education and practice standards
  • Advocating for our members and the people they serve
  • Advancing technology and innovation
  • Facilitating interprofessional collaboration
  • Building awareness of and educating the public about our profession
  • Promoting excellence in professional practice through research and evidence-based treatment
Our Priority Pillars

Orthotics Prosthetics Canada (OPC) is the representative national organization for the orthotic and prosthetic profession. Its role is to protect the public and advance the profession of orthotics and prosthetics through quality standards of practice, professional credentialing, education and awareness.

The four priority pillars for OPC are:

  • Develop outreach awareness and advocate for the profession to the public, funding providers, educational institutions, members, allied professionals, and patients/clients.

  • OPC commits to improving treatment, capturing emerging technologies, supporting opportunities for research, and the enhancement of clinical and technical outcomes.

  • Development and maintenance of evidence based
    professional standards to ensure access to quality orthotic and prosthetic care. Professional standards include education, accreditation, credentialing, professional practice, professional development, and specialization.

  • Alignment of an inclusive and diverse Board of Directors, Regional Council, committees, members, and association management to the values, goals and needs of OPC including clear pathways for communication, expectations, and collaboration.

  • Ensure that all aspects of OPC and its communications are representative and provide opportunity and access for all.
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History

OPC began operations in January 2015 as a result of an amalgamation of the Canadian Association for Prosthetics and Orthotics (CAPO), incorporated in 1954, and the Canadian Board for Certification of Prosthetists and Orthotists (CBCPO), incorporated in 1972. All CAPO and CBCPO registered trademarks are now owned by OPC. However, CBCPO remains the unincorporated certification body and is an independent Board responsible for implementing and managing the certification and registration processes. Successful candidates are still considered CBCPO Certified/Registered through OPC. CBCPO will continue to exist as an arm’s length credentialing body to manage the certification and registration of clinicians and technicians and confer the designations of:

  • Certified Orthotist CO(c);
  • Certified Prosthetist CP(c);
  • Certified Prosthetist and Orthotist CPO(c);
  • Registered Technician Orthotics RTO(c);
  • Registered Technician Prosthetics RTP(c); and,
  • Registered Technician Prosthetics and Orthotics RTPO(c)
Hear From Our Patients
Board of Directors
Scott Hedlund, CP(c)
President
Vancouver, BC
Sheila Kellner, CO(c)
President Elect
Toronto, ON
Loren Schubert, CP(c)
Treasurer
New Westminster, BC
Conrad Venter, CO(c)
Certified Orthotist
St. John's, NL
Connor Pardy, CPO(c)
Certified Orthotist
Calgary, AB
Candice Jay, CP(c)
Certified Prosthetist
Calgary, AB
Terrance Bloom, CP(c)
Certified Prosthetist
Surrey, BC
Bradley Van Lenthe, CP(c)
Certified Prosthetist
Vaughan, ON
Holly Houston, RTPO(c)
Registered Orthotic Technician
Hamilton, ON
John Stenner, RTP(c)
Registered Prosthetic Technician
Kamloops, BC
Jeff Tiessen
Director at Large
Grimsby, ON
OPC Staff

 

Executive
Director


Séamus Gearin, CAE

(416) 623-6687 x250

seamus@
Program & Credentialing Manager

Tina Gurung

(416) 623-6687 x245

tina@
Membership &
Operations
Specialist
Declan Dawes

(416) 623-6687 x243

declan@
Finance &
Credentialing Specialist

Stephanie Jenkins

(416) 623-6687 x242

stephanie@
Events
Manager


Zahra Mohamedbhai

(416) 623-6687 x244

zahra@
Committees & Task Forces

 

Are you interested in helping to move the Orthotics and Prosthetics profession forward in Canada? Volunteering with OPC is one of the best ways you can do so. Here you will find some key information about volunteering that might help you decide what kind of opportunities are right for you. Please submit a Volunteer Interest Form if you already know how you'd like to contribute, or you can always feel free to reach out to the OPC Office (info@opcanada.ca) for more information about current volunteering opportunities.

The following is a list of current OPC Committees and their Chairs:

 

Governance
TBD
 
Inclusion, Diversity, Equity & Accessibility
TBD, Position Open
 
Residency & Internship
Amy Richardson, CP(c)
 
Certification & Registration Board
Emily Northcote, CO(c)
 

Joint Research (w/ISPO Canada)
TBD, Position Open
 
Professional Development
Paul Hanas, RTPO(c)
 
Partnership & Advocacy
Allan Blyt, CPO(c)
 
Finance
Treasurer: Loren Schubert, CP(c)
 

National Education Standards
Carla Reimer, CO(c), FCBC
Linda Laakso, CO(c), FCBC
 
Ethics & Professional Practice
Jordan Schwartz, CP(c)
Rachel Rudolf, CP(c)
 
Awards & Recognition
Yvonne Jeffreys, CO(c), FCBC
 
                  
 
  
Policies & Bylaws
Click here to access OPC Bylaws, Governance Policies and Procedures Manual, Canons of Ethical Conduct, Strategic Plan, and OPC's General Statement on Virtual Care / Déclaration générale sur les soins virtuels d’Orthèse Prothèse Canada (OPC)
 

Contact Us

P: (416) 623-6687

Mailing Address:

20 Carlton Street., Suite 123
Toronto, ON M5B 2H5

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