Olivia Collavo
Background
Olivia is a Board Eligible Orthotist and current Prosthetic Resident based in Chicago. She is dedicated to providing patient-centered care that helps individuals maximize mobility, independence, and quality of life through innovative orthotic and prosthetic solutions.
Her clinical interests include optimizing prosthetic & orthotic fit and function, supporting patients throughout rehabilitation, and integrating evidence-based practices into daily care. She is especially passionate about pediatrics and enjoys working with children and their families to promote mobility, independence, and confidence from an early age.
Olivia completed her orthotic residency at Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital and is currently completing her prosthetic residency at Optech Orthotics & Prosthetics.”
Why did you apply?
I applied for the ABC O&P Scholarship in 2023 to support my residency training and reduce the financial burden of pursuing a career in orthotics and prosthetics.
How did you use the funding to meet your goals?
I wanted to pursue residency in a major city to gain experience with a diverse patient population and work within an interdisciplinary hospital team. The funding helped cover living expenses during my city-based residency, allowing me to focus on clinical learning and building experience with a wide range of patients and care teams.
How is the funding impacting your career trajectory?
It gave me the financial stability to pursue two residency opportunities that both align with my passion for pediatrics and patient-centered care. It also gave me the opportunity to train in a large hospital environment, preparing me to work with complex patient populations and strengthening my skills as a future clinician.
What did the funding mean to you personally?
To me, this award provided validation of my commitment to O&P and encouragement to continue striving toward excellence. The support allowed me to fully engage in residency training in an urban hospital setting, where I could contribute to interdisciplinary care and gain the skills needed to better serve patients in O&P rehabilitation.
