The Dale Yasukawa Award Exclusively for NUPOC MPO Students

Dale Yasukawa Memorial Fund Established 2001

The Dale Yasukawa Memorial Scholarship Fund was established at OPAF in November 2001 with the cooperation of Linda Yasukawa, PT, MS. Eligible candidates for the Yasukawa Scholarship are currently enrolled, full-time students in the Northwestern University Masters of Prosthetics and Orthotics (MPO) program. Administered through OPAF, the Scholarship awards one $1,000 scholarship each fiscal year.

Dale Yasukawa, a Life of Service to P&O

Mr. Yasukawa was director of prosthetics at the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago (RIC) in the Department of Prosthetic-Orthotic Clinical Services. He began working at RIC as a physical therapy aid (1988) and joined the O&P clinical services department (1990). Mr. Yasukawa attended the Northwestern University prosthetics certificate program (1991); and from 1993 he worked as an ABC-certified prosthetist, treating a broad diversity of patients. Mr. Yasukawa was an active member in the Midwest Chapter of the American Academy of Orthotists & Prosthetists, completing his service as immediate past president in 2001. Mr. Yasukawa died on November 22, 2001 at the age of 43.

Goals of the Yasukawa Award

The Yasukawa Scholarship encourages student participation in local annual meetings of the American Academy of Orthotists and Prosthetists (AAOP). It is expected that recipients will use the award to defray local AAOP meeting registration fees and the purchase of books, supplies, and equipment required in their MPO studies at NUPOC.  A primary goal of the scholarship is to encourage students to participate in their local, annual meeting of the American Academy of Orthotists and Prosthetists (AAOP). It is expected that the Dale Yasukawa Award will be used specifically to defray registration fees of the student's local AAOP meeting and to assist in the purchase of books, supplies, and equipment needed for ongoing studies at NUPOC.

How to Apply

The Dale Yasukawa Award is open to all full-time candidates enrolled in the Master’s of Prosthetics-Orthotics (MPO) program at the Northwestern University Prosthetics-Orthotics Center (NUPOC). Applications are due no later than May 15. Questions and completed applications for the Dale Yasukawa Award should be sent to robin@opafonline.org. 

Submit the following:
1. A current Curriculum Vitae indicating current grade point average (GPA) 
2. A short narrative (no more than two double-spaced pages) describing why you are a good candidate for the Yasukawa Scholarship award. The narrative should address: 
 >Financial need
 >School, community, and volunteer service activities
 >Personal and academic achievements, awards and recognitions>Work-internship history

Recognizing OPAF Founders

As the Dale Yasukawa Memorial Fund grows through future contributions, it is envisioned that the Dale Yasukawa Award will expand to recognize the continued support of OPAF founders: the American Academy of Orthotists and Prosthetists (AAOP), American Board for Certification in Orthotics, Prosthetics and Pedorthics (ABC), and American Orthotic and Prosthetic Association (AOPA).