PRESIDENT

Hometown: Ringgold, GA

Undergrad Degree: University of Georgia - Health Promotion, Health Services, and Piano Performance 

About Kayla: Hello! My name is Kayla Tull, and I am truly honored and thrilled to serve as SGA President this year. I had originally planned to pursue dentistry and was exposed to prosthodontics early on. I was drawn to the hands-on, artistic nature and the way it blended creativity with healthcare and meaningful patient interaction. However, I realized I wanted to expand beyond one area of the body, and after researching, I discovered the field of prosthetics and orthotics and immediately fell in love with it. 

What makes this field especially meaningful is the opportunity to restore mobility, independence, and confidence. O&P does not just treat a condition; it helps people regain parts of their identity and return to the activities that bring them purpose and joy. My faith has also deeply shaped the way I view this calling. I believe we are entrusted with the responsibility to serve others with compassion, excellence, and integrity, and I see this profession as a tangible way to live that out each day. 

I am so grateful to be part of a profession that values innovation and service, and I look forward to serving our student body with those same principles this year! 

VICE PRESIDENT

Hometown: Stockton, CA

Undergraduate Degree: University of Nevada, Reno - Kinesiology

About Tatiana: My name is Tatiana Franco and I am grateful for the opportunity to be Vice President of SGA here at IIOP. My interest in prosthetics and orthotics took off after a weekend field trip in middle school to a biomedical lab where I got to 3D print a prosthetic hand. With a blend of other interests in robotics, anatomy, healthcare, pursuing a career in helping people, and a couple of Google searches in a career class in high school, I stumbled across this field of work and have never looked back. Throughout my time in undergrad, I took value and pride as the only one interested in O & P in my classes where most of my peers were pursuing occupational and physical therapy professions. I enjoy connecting with people and working together to tackle challenges, create goals, and accomplish them.

Here at IIOP, I am enjoying the hands-on learning environment, research opportunities, expertise from professors and lab aides, plus all that Tampa has to offer. The collaborative space and opportunity to learn from mistakes is something I appreciate especially not having much hands-on experience in fabrication before coming to school here. I am excited to see what our SGA team can do to provide a fun and educational year full of events, volunteering, and learning opportunities here for students. 

TREASURER

Hometown: Tampa, FL

Undergraduate Degree: Florida State University- Clinical Professions

About Ian: Hello, my name is Ian Halme and I am thankful for the opportunity to serve as the SGA Treasurer at IIOP. Having such an impressive O&P program in my hometown is a blessing I will always be grateful for. My draw to the field of O&P was the desire to help people and change lives for the better. Each patient presents a unique condition that will require the hands-on and patient interaction skills that I developed during my time at IIOP. The further I delve into this field the more I fall in love with it and grow excited for what the future holds. I look forward to the rest of my experience at IIOP and all the opportunities it will provide me.

SECRETARY

Hometown: Norcross, GA

Undergraduate Degree: University of Tennessee, Knoxville - Neuroscience

About Lily: My name is Lily Fairbank, and I am excited for the opportunity to serve as Secretary of the Student Government Association. My interest in orthotics and prosthetics began with a combined passion for engineering and the medical field. After my first shadowing experience, I knew this was the career path for me. The hands-on patient interaction that is unique to the field of orthotics and prosthetics continues to fuel my passion and commitment to the profession.

Through my undergraduate degree in neuroscience, I developed an understanding of psychology and the neurological connections between the mind and body. This background has helped strengthen my knowledge of human movement and how the body functions.

As Secretary, I look forward to working with my classmates and faculty to support our program and help contribute to a successful future in orthotics and prosthetics.

FUNDRAISING

Hometown: Tampa, FL

Undergraduate Degree: Florida State University - Sports Management/Business

About Jack: My name is Jack Stewart, and I am the community outreach coordinator at IIOP! I am originally from North Carolina, but I have lived in the Tampa area for most of my life. My move to Tampa is where I got my first exposure to the O&P field. One of my family members I met here is an amputee, and he has also worked in the field for over 20 years. Growing up, I got to see all kinds of different prosthetic devices through his work, and I found it all fascinating. However, I did not think of taking that career path until well into my time in undergrad.

I originally went into undergrad for a major that could not be any further from any sciences. My true interest in pursuing O&P came late into my senior year, when I got the chance to shadow at different clinics in both Tallahassee and Tampa. It was too late to change my major at that point, so I took a post-graduation gap year to gain more observation time and figure out what I really wanted to do with life. The more I thought about it, I realized that this profession combines two aspects of life that I really enjoy: working with my hands and making a difference in people’s lives. I came to the decision to pursue this path shortly before school started and haven't looked back. Knowing firsthand the difference this career can make, it’s an honor to be a part of this program and I’m looking forward to my future in the field!