Abby Citterman
Orthotic & Prosthetic Resident / Gillette Children’s
Background
Abigail Citterman is a first-year orthotic & prosthetic resident at Gillette Children’s and a research fellow
with the Utah NeuroRobotics Lab. Her research interests include developing and validating novel
rehabilitative technologies for individuals with neuromuscular disabilities. Abby earned an honors
bachelor’s degree in biomedical engineering from the University of Utah in 2022, initially planning to work
in the research and development of innovative orthotic and prosthetic devices. However, inspired by her
experiences with patient care, she wanted to work towards bridging the gap between cutting-edge
innovation in academia and the most optimal, personalized care in the clinic. Abby went on to earn her
Master’s in Prosthetics & Orthotics from Northwestern University in 2024. As a research-track O&P
resident and a research fellow, she continues to work at the intersection of engineering, design, and
patient care, striving to improve outcomes for all.
Why did you apply?
I applied for the ABC Orthotist and Prosthetist Scholarship for supplemental financial support while
completing my master’s degree. As a full-time O&P student, I also served as a research fellow, working up
to 30 hours a week to help pay for school. I strive to get the most out of every learning opportunity, and
this award would enable me to focus on my education.
I also applied for the Chester Haddan Award, seeking additional funds to allow me to pursue my research
interests concurrently with school. As a part of the O&P Master’s capstone project at Northwestern, my
team and I were interested in continuing with our research beyond the course requirements. Since these
additional research efforts were unpaid, this award would enable me to devote time to our work without
reducing my paid research hours.
How did the funding help you meet your goals?
The ABC Orthotist and Prosthetist Scholarship provided me with the funds to dedicate myself to my
studies and practical experiences. This award enabled me to reduce my hours, augmenting my ability to
remain steadfast in my commitment to my education.
The Chester Haddan Award enabled me to continue working with my team on our NUPOC capstone
research project beyond that which was required for the course. We prepared an abstract and presentation
for a national conference and have been working toward a full manuscript—efforts that would have not
been feasible without this additional support.
How did the funding impact your career?
These awards enabled me to allocate my time and invest my efforts in the most important aspects of
career development for my personal goals: education, research, and practical experiences. I was able to
devote more time to my studies, dedicate meaningful time to research each week, and pursue volunteer
opportunities to gain clinical experience and broaden my perspective in O&P. Additionally, the awards
helped to create valuable networking opportunities, connecting me with fellow awardees, prospective
students, and established leaders in the field. I also believe these awards strengthened my subsequent
applications, providing an extra push to open doors for residency, funding, and other clinical opportunities.
I am incredibly eager to see the ongoing impact these awards will have on my career trajectory moving
forward..
What did the funding mean to you personally?
I am deeply honored to be recognized as one of the recipients of the ABC Orthotist and Prosthetist
Scholarship and as the recipient of the Chester Haddan Award. I am inspired by the excellence of fellow
awardees and moved by Haddan’s legacy of innovation, leadership, and service. With the invaluable
support from the O&P Foundation, I am beyond excited to continue embodying those core characteristics
as I work at the intersection of research and clinical care. These recognitions affirm my commitment to
advancing the field of O&P and are a reflection of the incredible contributions of my mentors, colleagues,
friends, and family, whose support has made this possible.
