Thomas Watson, CP, has been announced as the recipient of the American Orthotic and Prosthetic Association’s Lifetime Achievement Award.
According to a press release from the American Orthotic and Prosthetic Association (AOPA), the award will be presented at the AOPA National Assembly on Sept. 10 in Boston. The award recognizes people who have made exceptional contributions to the O&P profession.
Tom Watson
In the release, James Campbell, PhD, CO, FAAOP, president of AOPA, said Watson was a natural choice for the award.
“He has run a successful business, while serving his community through his civic engagement. His many years of effective advocacy for the O&P community should be appreciated by all of us,” Campbell said.
Watson co-owns Tom Watson’s Prosthetic and Orthotic Lab, with locations in Owensboro, Ky. and Ewansville, Ky. He is a past president of AOPA and has served on AOPA’s government relations committee. He works with the AOPA veteran’s affairs committee and the O&P political action committee, and is a grassroots lobbyist for O&P issues, according to the release.
Watson is former mayor of Owensboro and is seeking re-election in 2016. He is a past chair of the Owensboro Chamber of Commerce and is a board member of Industry Inc., Owensboro Medical Health System and Governor’s Workforce Investment Board. He is a member of the foundation board at Owensboro Community and Technical College; is a member of the American Academy of Orthotists and Prosthetists; and is a facility surveyor for the American Board for Certification in Orthotics, Prosthetics and Pedorthics. He earned the Owensboro Public School System’s Hall of Achievement Award in 2016.
Watson is a transfemoral amputee and has worked with the Kentucky and Indiana Commission for Children with Special Health Care Needs, the veteran’s administration and the Easter Seals Rehabilitation Center. He also volunteers at the Daniel Pitino Shelter in Owensboro.
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