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About Kira
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Kira Donnelly, MPO
Board Member, Creative Director
Kira Donnelly earned her Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology with highest honors from St. Edward’s University in Austin, Texas, specializing in Physical Therapy and Natural Sciences. She graduated as the Distinguished Kinesiology Graduate for the Class of 2020 and received the Honors Award in Kinesiology. Her senior thesis—conducted under Dr. Scott Love and Dr. M. Jason Highsmith with support from a VA/DoD grant—systematically reviewed ground reaction forces and sound-limb degenerative changes in unilateral lower-limb amputees. This work has since been published.
She obtained her Master of Prosthetics-Orthotics from UT Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas. Her graduate research focused on strengthening interventions to improve stair ascent and descent in users of standard and microprocessor-controlled knee systems. During her time at UTSW, she served as Class President and received multiple awards, including the Mel Stills Service Award, the L. Ruth Guy, MD Student Leadership Award, the 2023 Chester Haddan Scholarship, and the 2024 ABC Orthotist & Prosthetist Scholarship.
After completing her Orthotics and Prosthetics residency, she received licensure as a Prosthetist-Orthotist in Texas, specializing in Pediatric Care. Her post-graduate research has been accepted for presentation at the 2026 International Institute of Orthotics & Prosthetics Conference. Kira also provides guest lectures on orthotics and prosthetics for Doctor of Physical Therapy programs at universities across the country.
Kira currently serves as Executive Director for Steps 4 Love, a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting individuals with limb loss and limb difference through provision of medical devices, social assistance, and access to healthcare professionals — empowering them to regain mobility and maximize quality of life. In this role she leads outreach, fundraising, and coordination of prosthetic and orthotic services for underserved populations.
She also remains active in national and international amputee-care initiatives, volunteering regularly with the Range of Motion Project in Ecuador. Outside of her clinical and nonprofit work, Kira enjoys hiking, painting, photography, and baking.
She obtained her Master of Prosthetics-Orthotics from UT Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas. Her graduate research focused on strengthening interventions to improve stair ascent and descent in users of standard and microprocessor-controlled knee systems. During her time at UTSW, she served as Class President and received multiple awards, including the Mel Stills Service Award, the L. Ruth Guy, MD Student Leadership Award, the 2023 Chester Haddan Scholarship, and the 2024 ABC Orthotist & Prosthetist Scholarship.
After completing her Orthotics and Prosthetics residency, she received licensure as a Prosthetist-Orthotist in Texas, specializing in Pediatric Care. Her post-graduate research has been accepted for presentation at the 2026 International Institute of Orthotics & Prosthetics Conference. Kira also provides guest lectures on orthotics and prosthetics for Doctor of Physical Therapy programs at universities across the country.
Kira currently serves as Executive Director for Steps 4 Love, a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting individuals with limb loss and limb difference through provision of medical devices, social assistance, and access to healthcare professionals — empowering them to regain mobility and maximize quality of life. In this role she leads outreach, fundraising, and coordination of prosthetic and orthotic services for underserved populations.
She also remains active in national and international amputee-care initiatives, volunteering regularly with the Range of Motion Project in Ecuador. Outside of her clinical and nonprofit work, Kira enjoys hiking, painting, photography, and baking.