New Orthotics and Prosthetics Faculty Member

Although Allison Bressler, CPO, LPO, MS, and Chad Duncan, PhD, CRC, CPO, were students in the Orthotics and Prosthetics (O&P) program at Northwestern University at the same time, they were enrolled in different disciplines and their paths never crossed.

That changed on June 10, 2024, when she joined the faculty in the O&P department at Salus University for which Dr. Duncan has been director since its inception in 2021. She’s thrilled to be joining the team.

“Because the program at Salus is relatively new, we (the students and staff) have an opportunity to grow and shine a spotlight on everything unique and special about us,” she said. “I believe the sky is the limit and through our dedication, we can positively impact the lives of many.”

She has professional certificates in prosthetics and orthotics from Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine; a Master of Science in Biomedical Engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in New York; and a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Villanova University.

For the past 27 years, she has worked as a CPO/L at Harry J. Lawall and Son, Inc., a company that specializes in custom prosthetics and orthotic braces, with its main office in Langhorne, Pennsylvania, and other branches in Pennsylvania in addition to Delaware, New Jersey, and Florida.

When asked why she decided to segue into academia, Bressler replied, “I’ve always been committed to and interested in education and teaching. I’ve mentored, coached, tutored, and served as director of education at Lawall.”

At Salus, she will be teaching lower-limb orthotics, pediatrics, and independent study. Her short-term goal is to provide additional resources for students preparing to take board examinations while her long-term interests include the continued development and growth of the program.

“I am so impressed by the welcoming and collaborative nature of the entire staff at Salus. Each and every person I’ve met across disciplines is committed to and invested in the success of the students,” she said.

Bressler participates in the Small Steps/Healing the Children podiatry mission trip to El Salvador each September. She is also invested in Special Olympics and has been a volunteer for the past 30 years. For 10 years she served as coach for a local soccer team and successfully partnered the girls on her team with individual Special Olympic athletes. When her soccer team graduated, Bressler began coaching the Bucks County Special Olympics Long Distance Running and Walking Track team.

“The correlation between O&P and Special Olympics is strong. Several athletes on my team have been prior patients of mine, outside of Special Olympics,” she said. “I’ve had a unique opportunity to introduce my children, those I’ve coached, and many friends and neighbors to Special Olympics. You broaden horizons, you understand differences, you increase awareness and everyone wins.”

When she’s not working, Bressler enjoys yoga, trivia, reading, and traveling with her family. She and her husband live in Bucks County with their three daughters.