MINNEAPOLIS, MN – Andreas Kannenberg, MD, PhD, and director of medical affairs for Otto Bock was recently selected to receive the Thranhardt Award by the American Orthotic & Prosthetic Association National Assembly Clinical Sessions Workgroup.
The award is endowed by the Southeastern Hanger Companies in order to recognize individuals committed to advancing O&P education and research. The honor includes a cash award of $500 and the opportunity to present the report that earned the award at the AOPA National Assembly. Dr. Kannenberg presented his submission, “A New Shoulder Orthosis to Treat Painful Shoulder and Facilitate Gait Rehabilitation of Stroke Patients” at the 2010 Assembly in Orlando, FL.
“We recognize the Thranhardt Award is the most prestigious award given in the field of O&P in the U.S. for scientific and clinical presentations, and Andreas is well deserving of the honor,” said Brad Ruhl, President & CEO, Otto Bock US HealthCare. “Commitment to research to support the O&P profession is a priority at Otto Bock, and his work is an example of our dedication to that objective.”
Dr. Kannenberg earned his medical degree in 1989 from Humboldt University, Berlin, Germany, and he was board certified as a general practitioner in 1995. His more than ten years of clinical experience includes work in general and family medicine, surgery, internal medicine, rheumatology, orthopedics and rehabilitation medicine.
As the director of medical affairs of Otto Bock HealthCare, Duderstadt, Germany,Dr. Kannenberg coordinates a global medical and research team and network to consult R&D, product management, and sales on medical backgrounds relevant to Otto Bock´s products and R&D projects. His team is responsible for researching and defining medical requirements for new products, initiation and management of clinical trials, and medical training as well as the medical support to negotiate with health care payers. The establishment of the Medical Affairs department he oversees has allowed Otto Bock to even more closely connect with the medical community, improve patient outcomes of new products, and accelerate the transfer of new technology to clinical practice.
“Otto Bock is deeply committed to performing research to develop state-of-the-art technology solutions for patients with limited mobility,” said Dr. Kannenberg. “It’s an honor both to be a part of those industry leading efforts and to receive recognition in the form of the respected Thranhardt Award.”