Christopher Hovorka

Christopher Hovorka, PhD, MS, CPO, FAAOP

Assistant Professor

Email

christopher.hovorka@bcm.edu

Positions

Assistant Professor: School of Health Professions
Orthotics and Prosthetics Program
��Ƶ of Medicine
US

Addresses

��Ƶ of Medicine (Office): ONE BAYLOR PLAZA, MS: BCM115
Ben Taub Annex, Rm 107A
Houston, TX, 77030-3411
United States
Phone: (713) 798-8702
chris.hovorka@bcm.edu

Education

PhD from Georgia Institute of Technology: 05/2015 - Atlanta, Georgia, United States; Applied Physiology / Biomechanics

MSc from University of Connecticut: 05/1998 - Storrs, Connecticut, United States; Allied Health Science / Vascular Physiology

BSc from University of Washington: 06/1991 - Seattle, Washington, United States; Prosthetics and Orthotics

Residency at Connecticut Children's Medical Center (formerly Newington Children's Hospital): 12/1993 - Hartford, Connecticut, United States; Prosthetics

Residency at Southern Illinois University School of Medicine: 12/1992 - Springfield, Illinois, United States; Orthotics / Orthopedics

BSc from University of New Mexico: 12/1987 - Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States; Exercise Science

Certifications

Certified Prosthetist and Orthotist: American Board for Certification in Orthotics, Prosthetics and Pedorthics

Certified Exercise Physiologist: American College of Sports Medicine

Honors & Awards

Honorary Member: Contributions to Scientific Research; Sigma Xi Scientific Research Honor Society (10/2024)

Fellowship: American Academy of Orthotists and Prosthetists (03/2007)

Excellence in Educational Leadership: Multiple awards from 2004 to 2023; Who's Who Among America's Educators (07/2004 - 07/2023)

Best Paper Prize for Advancing Education: 19th World Congress, Guadalajara, Mexico; International Society for Prosthetics and Orthotics (04/2023)

Distinguished Teaching Award: University of Pittsburgh Department of Rehabilitation Science and Technology (12/2019)

Best Scientific Achievement Award: AMTI Force and Motion: Omaha, NE; 4th Annual Human Movement Variability Conference, Omaha, NE (05/2019)

Award for Excellence in Teaching and Instruction: Multiple awards between 2005 to 2016; Georgia Institute of Technology (06/2005 - 06/2016)

Professional Statement

I am interested in understanding adaptation and learning from the perspective of a client-patient (e.g., their performance using orthoses, prostheses and footwear as a "tool" to enable desired movements during walking) and from a healthcare professional perspective (e.g., consuming knowledge and skills practice to develop clinical competencies). Specifically, I am exploring and developing lower limb orthoses and footwear systems to optimize rollover during walking and simulations to reinforce student attainment of clinical competencies.

Professional Development

Transitioning to a client-centric approach to Orthotics and Prosthetics (Part 1 ): Seminar (Presenter, 2023); This is the first of a two-part series describing the need for the Orthotics and Prosthetics profession to transition from a device-centric approach to a more holistic approach to care. Accessed at: https://yourpositiveimprint.com/episodes/transitioning-to-a-client-centric-approach-in-orthotics-prosthetics-chris-hovorka/

Evidence-based medical practitioners. A client-centered approach (Part 2): Seminar (Presenter, 2023); This is the second in the series describing how to transition to a client-centered values-based approach to care in the Orthotics and Prosthetics profession. It also describes how employing a more systematic approach using an evidence-based strategy has the potential to advance care. Accessed at: https://yourpositiveimprint.com/episodes/evidence-based-medical-practitioners-a-client-centric-approach-in-orthotics-prosthetics-chris-hovorka/

Selected Publications

Kogler GF, Hovorka CF. " " Can Prosthet Orthot J. 2021 ; 4 (2)
Hovorka CF, Kogler GF, Gregor RJ, Chang Y-H. " " Clin Biomech. 2021 ; 82
Hovorka CF, Acker DA, Schofield K. " Orthotic considerations for arthritis and overuse syndromes in the upper extremity. " Atlas of Orthoses and Assistive Devices (in press). 2025 ; 6th edition
Hovorka CF, Raschke SU. " " J Prosthet Orthot. 2023 ; 35 (3 Suppl) : 11-15.
Hovorka CF, Kogler GF, Gregor RF, Chang Y-H. " " Front Rehabil Sci - Advances in Tech Assisted Rehabil. 2024 ;
Hovorka CF. " " Can Prosthet Orthot J. 2023 ; 6 (2) : 1-8.

Memberships

American Academy of Orthotists and Prosthetists: Member (06/2002 - 12/2025)

International Society for Prosthetics and Orthotics: Member (06/2002 - 06/2026)

Sigma Xi: Member (10/2023 - 12/2026)

American Orthotic and Prosthetic Association: Member

American Society of Biomechanics: Member

Funding

Increasing soft tissue remodeling after Lateral Ankle Sprain by deploying exoskeleton integrated boots to support longer term rehabilitation protocols in return to duty #CDMRP2023: (06/01/2025 - 05/31/2027); Grant funding from Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs (CDMRP) - Peer Reviewed Orthopedic Research Program (OPRP) Clinical Translational Research Award

30 projects funded: (01/01/1999 - 12/31/2024); NIH, NSF, Dept. of Education, and other agencies; 30 prior projects funded from 1999-2024 in multiple areas such as movement adaptation to use of orthoses, prostheses, footwear and examining and developing interdisciplinary training and education programs for Orthotist, Prosthetists and other allied healthcare providers Funing awarded by multiple agencies such as the National Institute of Health, National Science Foundation, Department of Education, Jacob and Valeria Langeloth Foundation, the Orthotic and Prosthetic Foundation, and more

Languages

Spanish

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