Miller Prosthetics wins VA contracts with support from Ohio APEX Accelerator

Thanks to the Voinovich School of Leadership and Public Service’s APEX Accelerator Program, Nancy Miller and her husband, Mark, were able to navigate the complexities of government contracting and lay a solid foundation for their business.  

With expert guidance, Miller Prosthetics gained the confidence to pursue and secure Veterans Affairs (VA) contracts for both prosthetics and orthotics, ultimately opening doors to a new population of veterans in need of specialized care.

“It’s not just about business; it’s about helping people,” Nancy Miller said. “Now, we can see veterans who need our services, and that’s very rewarding.”

Miller Prosthetics and Orthotics, dedicated to enhancing the lives of amputees and those in need of orthotic support, has a clear mission: to provide top-tier care. However, what they hadn’t anticipated when starting their business was the intricate world of government contracts.

The APEX Accelerator, part of the Ohio Development Services Agency, helps Ohio small businesses like Miller Prosthetics navigate the confusing government marketplace. Through personalized counseling, market research, and bid support, APEX counselors equip businesses to compete for contracts at the federal, state, and local levels. For Miller Prosthetics, working with APEX was transformative.

“I was navigating my way through the prosthetic industry, and it was like learning a whole new language,” Miller said. “You have to get contracts, work with insurance companies, and do business with the government– it’s so complex.”

Miller was first introduced to the APEX program by Sharon Hopkins, an APEX counselor. Hopkins’ support proved invaluable as the process became more overwhelming.

According to Miller, Hopkins helped her set up a system that would monitor and alert her when contracts related to prosthetics were released, “help[ing] narrow down the search and making sure [Miller] was applying for the right opportunities.”