Kiley Armstrong
Research Prosthetist Orthotist / Northwestern University Prosthetics-Orthotics Center
Background
Kiley Armstrong, MS, MPO, CPO is a Research Prosthetist-Orthotist at Northwestern University Prosthetics-
Orthotics Center. With a deep passion for enhancing the quality and accessibility of orthotic and prosthetic
care, she integrates her clinical insights into cutting-edge research, innovation, and technological
advancements. Kiley is dedicated to improving equity in the O&P field, ensuring that all individuals have
access to high-quality care, regardless of their circumstances, demographics, or socioeconomic status.
She serves as the Co-Chair of the Academy’s Gait Society, where she collaborates with others to advance
the understanding of gait and mobility in O&P. Additionally, Kiley is the Co-Chair of the Collaborative on
Inclusive Action and Engagement, promoting inclusivity in the field.
Kiley also enjoys increasing the accessibility of movement and sport to individuals of all abilities. She has
completed training to teach yoga to individuals with amputations, as well as those who have experienced
traumatic brain injuries. She is also involved in the American Amputee Soccer Association and manages
the Chicago Amputee Soccer Club.
Why did you apply?
I am honored to have received both the Resident Travel Award and the Mentored Pilot Award in my career
thus far. Applying for these awards not only helps to fund the projects and to support dissemination of the
results through publications and conference presentations, but also highlights valuable research
recognized by O&P experts. These awards inspire, support, and honor researchers, guiding the future
direction of research in the field.
How did the funding help you meet your goals?
I used the Resident Travel Award to assist with covering my registration fee for attending and presenting my resident research project at the Academy Annual Meeting. This experience allowed me to practice
public speaking on a project that I dedicated significant time towards during my residency. Recently, I
received the Mentored Pilot Award, which will fund services to develop the methodology needed to collect
and analyze implicit biases towards people with disabilities within the O&P education system. We hope
the results of this project will inform a larger future study to analyze these biases across the entire field.
How did the funding impact your career?
Receiving research funding early in my career has provided me with valuable experience in drafting
impactful grant proposals, a skill I will continue to utilize throughout my career as a researcher.
Additionally, these awards have given me the confidence to pursue my research interests, with the support
and recognition of the O&P community that these objectives will be valuable in shaping the future of O&P
care for our patients.
What did the funding mean to you personally?
Most importantly, receiving these awards demonstrates that organizations in the O&P field are committed
to evaluating and elevating our profession in terms of equity, biases, and patient care. This dedication
motivates and inspires me, showing that the O&P field is progressing towards inclusivity and accessibility
for better health outcomes. Personally, receiving these awards reassures me that my work is not only
valued, but also has the potential to make a meaningful impact on the future of O&P care for our patients.
