The Midwest Chapter was established through Loren Jouett’s and several other practitioners from the Chicago area. Shortly after the St. Louis organizational meeting for the Academy, In December of 1970. The first organizational meeting was held on January 4, 1971 in Beigler Auditorium at the Children’s Memorial Hospital, Chicago, Illinois. At this meeting the by-laws were established. The first educational meeting was held on January 15, 1971 at the Beigler Auditorium at Children’s Memorial Hospital, Chicago, Illinois. The topic was “The Psychological Aspects of Patient Care.” These first meetings were occasions to bring practitioners and their families together. Most often the speakers were physicians speaking on topics related to the field of Orthotics and Prosthetics, the emphasis was and still is on clinical education.

At the American Academy of Orthotist's and Prosthetists board of directors meeting on Saturday, May 13, 1972, it was unanimously voted to accept the application from the Midwest Chapter into the American Academy of Orthotists and Prosthetists. The Midwest Chapter was the first chapter to be established nationally.