The Hanger Family: A Legacy of Caring

Prosthetic and orthotic practitioners work in the rare intersection between human tragedy, personal inspiration and medical technology. In their day-to-day activities, these highly trained professionals play a personal role in helping people of all ages and walks of life transform their lives, gain new hope, and reclaim their personal dignity.  

For the 3,800 members of the Hanger Orthopedic Group family, providing exceptional patient care is much more than a business; it’s a calling and a privilege. Since 1861, our members have served a vital role in their communities — not only by providing the highest quality professional care and services, but also giving of their own time and expense to provide services and equipment to those who could not otherwise afford it.  

This legacy of generosity was the inspiration for the Hanger Ivan R. Sabel Foundation. Ivan (Van) Sabel, who has served as the founder and visionary leader of the modern-era Hanger organization since the 1960s, wanted to build on that legacy — and transform it into the core of the world’s preeminent philanthropic force in the prosthetics and orthotics field.  

Under the direction of its Board of Directors, Hanger Orthopedic Group has committed $100,000 in seed money to launch the Foundation, whose mission is to enhance the productivity and quality of life for those, domestically and abroad, who face physical challenges due to disease, war or natural disasters by supporting charitable organizations, programs, and volunteerism that improve human mobility.  

Mr. Sabel, with a deep sense of appreciation for what members of the Hanger family have already done for their patients, as well as the company itself, has personally matched Hanger’s seed money donation. “The practitioners and associates with whom I’ve had the honor to work,” Mr. Sabel explains, “have already demonstrated an amazing commitment to helping individuals in need. Through the resources of the Foundation, we can multiply that impact — not only by reaching more individuals in need, but also by helping to create sustainable centers of expertise, where local practitioners will be able to care for their own community members long after we’ve left.”