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Orthotics & Prosthetics
Justin Hornung ‘27O&P, a student in Drexel University’s Orthotics and Prosthetics (O&P) program at the Elkins Park campus, has been selected as a recipient of the prestigious Larry Lange Travel Fellowship Award winner from the National Commission on Orthotic and Prosthetic Education (NCOPE).
The $2,000 travel award is presented to individuals at the beginning of their professional careers to support their education and professional development. Funding may be used for conference registration and travel expenses or to support professional outreach activities. This award recognizes individuals who demonstrate an exceptional commitment to the O&P profession through ongoing learning, leadership, service, and engagement.
"I'm incredibly honored to be one of the recipients of this award," said Hornung, who hails from Langhorne, Pennsylvania. He previously received his bachelor's degree in Biobehavioral Health from Penn State. "I'm grateful to the professors, mentors, and everyone who has guided and supported me to this point," he said.
Growing up in a family of healthcare professionals, Hornung was exposed early to the impact of patient-centered care. His mother worked as an occupational therapist specializing in hand therapy, while his father built a career in multidisciplinary healthcare, specializing in equipment and transition planning, and project management. Although their son’s initial interests were in math and science and he envisioned a future in engineering, he soon realized he wanted a career that was more hands-on.
"I realized I wanted a career where I could work directly with people while still using problem-solving and technical skills," he said.
After a recommendation from a family friend, Hornung began shadowing at an O&P clinic while attending Penn State and quickly discovered the profession was the right fit.
"What really drew me to O&P was that it combines technical problem-solving, hands-on fabrication, and direct patient care," he said. "Once I saw what the profession was about, I knew it was exactly what I wanted to do."
Fortunately, what was then Salus University – now part of Drexel University following the 2025 merger - had started an O&P program in 2022. Its close proximity to home made it an ideal fit for Hornung.
After completing the program’s academic coursework, he began his 18-month integrated O&P residency and recently finished his first six-month rotation.
"The didactic portion of the program set me up well with a strong foundation heading into my residency," he said. "It helped me feel prepared and confident as I started working with patients."
In addition to his clinical training, Hornung has remained active in both research and community outreach activities. His recent research examining plastic waste across the field earned recognition at the New Jersey Chapter of the American Academy of Orthotists and Prosthetists (NJAAOP) conference, and he actively participates in educational and volunteer initiatives within the profession.
"My immediate goal is to complete the rest of my residency and become certified," he said. "Receiving this award is incredibly encouraging, and I'm excited to continue growing through patient care and community involvement. I'm looking forward to seeing where my career takes me."
The award was established by NCOPE in 2007 in honor of Larry Lange, CPO, FAAOP, who dedicated 27 years to the O&P profession and the patients he served. Lange shared his talents by volunteering his time and energy to various national O&P organizations and attained the American Academy of Orthotists and Prosthetists Fellow designation.
