The annual Hanger Live conference was held at the Gaylord Opryland Resort in Nashville, Tennessee Jan. 22–25, and hosted more than 1,500 Hanger employees, exhibitors, and speakers. The event offered educational sessions and networking opportunities focused on the theme of Next Level, representing the new heights to be reached as an orthotics and prosthetics (O&P) profession in the continuous quest to better serve all patients.
Further reading: Hanger to Acquire Orthotic and Prosthetic Manufacturer
Client Stories
This year’s opening ceremony highlighted incredible stories from two Hanger Clinic patients, Zack Anglin and Marcy Frederico. Anglin is the first quadruple amputee in the world to become a licensed commercial pilot and flight instructor, and Frederico overcame a serious leg and ankle injury, and with the support of custom devices, returned to run the New York City Marathon 25 years after last participating in the iconic race.
Hanger Live Conference Highlights
Over the course of four days, the conference offered attendees 82 courses taught by 116 experts from across the country on topic areas such as 3D-scanning and printing, the use of outcomes in orthotics practice, and fitting and fabricating O&P devices. This year’s clinical keynote session featured Mayo Clinic Platform Medical Director Dr Sonya Makhni and experts from the Hanger Institute for Clinical Research & Education Shane Wurdeman, Phil Stevens, Bretta Fylstra, and Molly McCoy. The group discussed how technologies such as machine learning and artificial intelligence are improving healthcare efficiencies and enhancing patient outcomes.
Special Sessions and Awards
Hanger continued its commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion, offering a series of sessions for “Women in Leadership,” and for the first time, an opportunity for Hanger employees who are veterans of the U.S. military to gather as part of the Hanger Veterans Network.
Hanger’s annual Partner Awards recognized four outstanding partners for their role in supplying products and services used to provide excellent O&P care and improve patient outcomes.
Partners recognized this year included:
- Aether Biomedical for “Rising Star,”
- Ottobock for “Collaboration,”
- Bio-Mechanical Composites for “Operational Performance,”
- Cypress Adaptive for “Innovation.”
Hanger Live Night to Inspire
This year there was a special edition to the week with The Hanger Foundation hosting its first ever Night to Inspire event, raising over a half a million dollars which will be used to provide grants to organizations that offer programs and services for people with physical challenges. The event—presented by Access Healthcare—took place at the Country Music Hall of Fame, and included a dinner and auction hosted by Bill Cody, Grand Ole Opry Host, and performances by Rhett Akins, Jessi Alexander, and the Warren Brothers.
Hanger Live Virtual Event
Also new this year, in order for all team members to participate in the inspiration, education, and networking of the Hanger Live event, Hanger hosted an all-day virtual experience on Feb. 2, 2024 for any employees who were not able to attend the in-person event in Nashville.
About Hanger Inc.
Headquartered in Austin, Texas, Hanger Inc. provides comprehensive, outcomes-based orthotic and prosthetic (O&P) services through its Patient Care segment, with approximately 900 Hanger Clinic locations nationwide. Through its Products & Services segment, Hanger distributes branded and private label O&P devices, products, and components, and provides rehabilitative solutions. Rooted in 160 years of clinical experience and innovation, Hanger is a purpose-driven company with a vision to lead the O&P markets by providing superior patient care, outcomes, services, and value, aimed at empowering human potential. For more information on Hanger, visit corporate.hanger.com.
Featured image: Marcy Frederico overcame a serious leg and ankle injury, and with the support of custom orthotic devices, returned to run the New York City Marathon 25 years after last participating in the iconic race. She spoke at Hanger Live 2024 in Nashville. Photo: Hanger Inc.
