Sara Peterson, PhD, MBA, CPO, FAAOP(D), joins East Tennessee State University as an Adjunct Instructor, bringing more than 25 years of clinical, teaching, research, and leadership experience in the field of orthotics and prosthetics. She is the Founder of O&P Clinical Innovations, a consulting, fabrication, and research and development company focused on advancing orthotic and prosthetic technologies, patient care solutions, education, and innovation for individuals living with limb loss and mobility impairments.

Prior to joining ETSU, Dr. Peterson served as an Assistant Professor with the University of Pittsburgh, Director of the MSPO Program and as a Research Prosthetist with the Human Engineering Research Laboratories, Veterans Affairs in Pittsburgh. Her work has focused on prosthetic socket design, neuromuscular electrical stimulation, patient outcomes research, mobility technology, and advancing evidence-based clinical practice. Throughout her career, she has mentored and taught hundreds of students and clinicians while contributing to research initiatives that improve function, comfort, and quality of life for individuals with disabilities.

Dr. Peterson’s honors include the 2016 American Academy of Orthotists and Prosthetists Outstanding Educator Award, recognition as an honored guest at the 2016 White House “Design for All” event highlighting assistive technology innovation, earning Fellow with Distinction status from the American Academy of Orthotists/Prosthetists in 2023, and receiving the 2024 Orthotics and Prosthetics Foundation for Education and Research Early Career Research Award as Principal Investigator.

Education

PhD, Rehabilitation Science, University of Pittsburgh, 2018

MBA, Organizational Leadership, Baker College of Graduate Studies, 2007

BA, Human Service Administration, Metropolitan State University, 1998

Diploma of Occupational Proficiency, Prosthetic Practitioner Century College, 1993

Diploma of Occupational Proficiency, Orthotic Practitioner, Century College, 1992

Diploma of Occupational Proficiency, Orthotic Technician, Century College, 1991

AAS, Associate of Applied Science Degree in Prosthetic Technology, Century College, 1991

Diploma of Occupational Proficiency, Prosthetic Technician, Century College, 1990

 

Certifications / Licensure

American Board for Certification in Orthotics, Prosthetics and Pedorthics, Certified Prosthetist and Orthotist (CPO#01853)

American Board for Certification: Mastectomy Fitter {CFm01214}

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Department of State Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs, Licensed Orthotist (OH00144)

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Department of State Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs, , Licensed Prosthetist (PO000098)

 

Publications

Peterson, S. L., Laferrier, J. Z., Koontz, A. M., Wang, H., Hannan, M., & Cooper, R. A. (2017). Psychological Strategies of Veterans & Service Members who Participate in Organized Sports. Journal of Military, Veteran and Family Health, 3(2),42-52. 

Peterson, S., Wang, H., Miknevich, M. A., Piva, S., Cooper, R. A., & Koontz, A. M. (2018). Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation Use in Transtibial Amputations (Doctoral dissertation, University of Pittsburgh). https://d-scholarship.pitt.edu/34667/ 

Greenhalgh, M., Kulich, H., Blaauw, E., Turner, R., Peterson, S.L., Cooper, RA., Songer, (2021). Health Outcomes Used to Determine Facets of Health-Related Quality of Life for Post 9/11 Veterans Using Assistive Technology for a Combat Related Mobility Impairment: A Literature Review. Journal of Military Medicine, MILMED-D-20-00458R3

Greenhalgh, M. Jonathan Duvall, Jorge Candiotti, Cheng Siu Chung, Kendra Jorgensen Waters, George Smolinksi, Sara Peterson, Urs Schneider, Rosemarie Cooper, Rory A. Cooper, (2023). Emerging Technologies in Neuroengineering to Advance Rehabilitation, Improve Quality of Care Delivery, and Encourage Independent Living. In: Thakor, N.V. (eds) Handbook of Neuroengineering. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-16-5540-1_47

Lee, C. D., Peterson, S.L, Joseph, J., McKernan, G., Cooper, R., Koontz, A. M., & Cooper, R. A. (2024). Discovering Provider Awareness of Mobility Assistive Technologies and Clinical Guidelines - Comparative Analysis with Consumer Responses. American Journal of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, 10-1097. 

Peterson S, Lee CD, Miknevich MA, Cooper R, Koontz A. Monofilament testing to identify insensate regions of the residual limb of individuals with transtibial amputation. Prosthet Orthot Int. 2025 Apr 9. doi: 10.1097/PXR.0000000000000442. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 40202870. 

Peterson, Sara, Wang, Hongwu, Miknevich, Mary Ann, Piva, Sara R., Cooper, Rory, Koontz, Alicia M. Feasibility And Preliminary Efficacy of Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation in a Pilot Randomized Control Trial in Individuals with Transtibial Amputations. American Journal of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation:10.1097/PHM.0000000000002874, September 29, 2025. | DOI: 10.1097/PHM.0000000000002874