2021 Innovation Heroes Award Announced!

Thought Leadership & Innovation Foundation (TLI) is pleased to announce the recipient of our 2021 Innovation Heroes Award, honoring individuals who exemplify the spirit of innovation in healthcare. The award was bestowed to limb loss survivor Ariel Rigney, MPA, a self-proclaimed nonprofit “nerd,” athlete, world traveler and adventure-seeker.

This award goes to individuals who have advocated for transformative change through practical approaches to improve health and well-being of a patient community. We are proud to recognize her achievements and applaud her efforts to improve the patient experience and outcomes. Ariel provides a shining example of how to effectively support clinicians, therapists and researchers who serve patient populations that need better access to quality care.

Advocate for Amputee Rights and Access to Care

Ariel Rigney demonstrates extraordinary and passionate advocacy for amputee rights and access to care. She continues to impart a transformative influence and inspires through her impressive achievements in mountain climbing and tireless efforts to raise amputee care awareness.

Ariel also counsels at summer camps for kids with limb loss, helps prepare new physical and occupational therapists for working with patients, assists with the research and development of new prosthetic feet in the lab and mentors new limb loss patients.   

She is currently partnering with Range of Motion Project (ROMP) to raise money for amputees who lack access to prosthetic devices and care. Ariel is also in training to attempt to summit Cotopaxi, a 19,347-foot volcano in Ecuador, in fall 2022. As she works to push her mind, body and prosthetic leg to the limit for this enormous feat, her focus is clear: show people that with proper access to prosthetics and care, amputees like her can achieve almost impossible goals.  

For more information about becoming a TLI partner or to be considered for an award, contact the foundation.