SGA LEADERSHIP

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    Anita Whitner

    PRESIDENT

    Hometown: New Orleans, LA

    Undergrad Degree: Louisiana Tech University - Biomedical Engineering

    About Anita: My name is Anita Whitner, and I am grateful for the opportunity to serve as President of the Student Government Association at IIOP. My interest in orthotics and prosthetics began with my dad’s prosthetic journey that started 10 years ago. Watching his clinician help him regain mobility and confidence had a lasting impact on me and showed me the importance of this field. That experience pushed me to pursue a career where I could blend my background in science and engineering with a desire to make a difference in people’s lives.

    Through biomedical engineering, I developed an appreciation for the technical side of device design, but what drew me even more to O&P was the human side, the chance to work directly with patients and their families. Throughout my time at IIOP, I have also found ways to bring creativity into my work, whether it is through problem-solving during fabrication or adding thoughtful touches through design customization.

    As president, I am excited to work alongside my classmates to build a supportive community, create opportunities for growth, and prepare us to be strong advocates for the patients we will serve in the future.

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    Desiree Ali

    VICE PRESIDENT

    Hometown: Orlando, FL

    Undergraduate Degree: University of Central Florida - Kinesiology

    About Desiree: My name is Desiree Ali, and I am thrilled to be named Vice President of our Student Government Association. My interest in orthotics and prosthetics began when I volunteered at a Hanger Clinic and had the opportunity to meet amazing patients that truly inspired me to pursue this field.

    After obtaining my bachelors of science degree in kinesiology at the University of Central Florida, I knew I wanted to continue my studies in this unique profession. I am thankful to be where I am now and strive to keep learning here and forward.

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    Dominic Schuh

    TREASURER

    Hometown: Mulberry, FL

    Undergraduate Degree: University of South Florida – Biomedical Engineering

    About Dominic: Hello, my name is Dominic Schuh, and I am the treasurer at IIOP. I’m a local to the area growing up in Mulberry and going to USF for my undergrad in biomedical engineering.  What drew me toward prosthetics was the ability to make a difference in people’s lives. Prosthetics uniquely incorporates aspects of engineering into patient care where every case can be different and an opportunity to learn something new. Here at IIOP I have enhanced both the technical hands-on skills and patient interaction skills necessary. I look forward to experiencing everything IIOP and the prosthetics profession has to offer and help grow IIOP through the SGA.

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    Solana Capalbo

    SECRETARY

    Hometown: Miami, FL

    Undergraduate Degree: Nova Southeastern University - Biomedical Engineering

    About Solana: Hello, my name is Solana Capalbo and I am the secretary at IIOP. I am originally from Buenos Aires, Argentina and have lived in Miami, Florida for the majority of my life. I majored in biomedical engineering at Nova Southeastern University. I was drawn to O&P through my athletic career in swimming and meeting many Paralympic athletes. O&P combines my passion for problem-solving, technical skills, and healthcare, and I’m excited to learn more. I look forward to my experience in this field and what I could do as secretary in IIOP. 

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    Gigi Joyce

    FUNDRAISING

    Hometown: Kannapolis, NC

    Undergraduate Degree: University of North Carolina Wilmington - Exercise Science

    About Gigi: Hi everyone! My name is Gigi Joyce and I am from the small town of Kannapolis, North Carolina. I came to IIOP to dive head-first into the unique field of Orthotics and Prosthetics, and am excited to serve as the current fundraising chair. I was introduced to O&P towards the end of my undergraduate career and was profoundly surprised that I had never before known the intricacies this field had to offer. Driven by a desire to help others and searching for a field that not only allows but encourages creativity, I found the perfect fit within the world of Orthotics and Prosthetics. IIOP offers the ideal environment to learn and further develop this craft. I am excited to earn my degree and begin fostering relationships and serving my community as a CPO

Student Government Association

SGA MISSION

  • Educate current IIOP students about all areas of research in O&P and rehabilitation

  • Promote opportunities to students for O&P research, both in graduate and post-graduate years

  • Foster participation in the IIOP Student Government Association (SGA)

  • Encourage and support networking between IIOP students and alumni

  • Support people with limb differences including, but not limited to, veterans and people living with disabilities

  • Advocate unity within the O&P community

  • Enhance relationships between the O&P community and other related healthcare professions

  • Forge relationships with the local community to spread awareness of our profession

  • Recruit future practitioners into the O&P field through educational outreach

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

  • Warrior Games

  • Special Olympics Florida State Fall Classic

  • Tampa Pig Jig

  • Gasparilla

Group of people wearing matching uniforms holding flags at an event, with a man in a wheelchair and a service dog in the foreground. The flags display the United States Coast Guard emblem.