NOTE: This page was originally presented online in May 2002
– it has been updated since that time.
David Adams, MBA
Business Operations
David Adams, MBA, is responsible for Trulife North America product management, public relations, and marketing communication efforts. He previously held the positions of international sales manager, domestic sales manager, and director of sales and marketing at Seattle Systems. Prior to joining Seattle Systems, he worked for Redken Laboratories, Raytheon, and the Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program. His bachelors degree is from the University of the State of New York and his masters in business administration is from New York City University.
Jim Andreassen
Business and Legislative
Jim Andreassen is the president of the Orthotic and Prosthetic Group of America (OPGA), Waterloo, Iowa. He was introduced into the O&P field when Dennis Clark, CPO, of Dale Clark Prosthetics, Waterloo, hired him as business manager in April 1989. Through the acquisition process, Jim also served as area practice manager for NovaCare Orthotics & Prosthetics (March 1997) and as director of operations and area vice president for Hanger Prosthetics & Orthotics (July 1999).
“OPGA is by no means a new venture to me, as Van G. Miller, CEO of VGM and Associates, requested that Dennis and I launch OPGA for him in 1993, Mr. Andreassen explained. “We sought out numerous patient-care members and several manufacturers as our initial foundation for OPGA. The rest of the story is history, as OPGA presently represents nearly 800 member locations and has 32 participating manufacturers.” He adds, “It’s great to be back home again!”
Mr. Andreassen and his wife Dawn have two daughters. He coaches volleyball for the local high school and plays the alto saxophone in his church band. Mr. Andreassen, whose youngest daughter has cerebral palsy, says, “I am very excited to have the opportunity to give back to the industry that has given me so much. It is my goal to be a resource for the independently owned orthotic and prosthetic companies across the United States in order to make them as profitable as possible, yet still clinically driven.”
It’s his job to help ensure that independent orthotic and prosthetic companies can compete with big national companies, Mr. Andreassen continues. “OPGA has all the resources available to do just that, such as HOMELINK national contracting, leasing and financial services, telecommunications, general liability insurance, and VGM Creative for design and printing needs. It’s the independents’ job to utilize these resources so that they might realize their fullest potential.”
Kevin Carroll, MS, CP, FAAOP
Geriatric Prosthetics
The guiding philosophy of Kevin Carroll, MS, CP, FAAOP, throughout his 23 years of experience as a practicing prosthetist, has always been “people first.” Mr. Carroll has a degree in gerontology and specializes in the care of older adults. His professional background encompasses the roles of researcher, educator, international speaker, and clinician.
He is a member of the International Society for Prosthetics and Orthotics (ISPO), the National Association of Professional Geriatric Care Managers, and the British Association of Prosthetics and Orthotics (BAPO). He also serves as professional advisor to the Amputee Coalition of America (ACA).
Mr. Carroll’s practice began in his native country of Ireland in 1978 at the National Medical Rehabilitation Center in Dublin. In 1984, he moved to the US, later becoming vice president of Prosthetics for NovaCare Sabolich. He is currently the vice president of Prosthetics for Hanger Orthopedic Group.
Deanna Fish, MS, CPO
Orthotics
Deanna Fish, MS, CPO, is a graduate of the University of Washington’s O&P program and received a masters degree in biomechanics from the University of Oregon. She specializes in triplanar lower-limb deformities, pathomechanical gait conditions, and cranial remolding orthoses for deformational plagiocephaly. She was an instructor of the OOS-1 Basic Seminar and Functional Walking: An EPICTM Approach for nine years, and has lectured nationally and internationally on various topics relating to lower-limb and cranial deformities and the corresponding orthotic treatments. She served as vice president of orthotics for NovaCare Orthotics & Prosthetics, as director of clinical training & development for Hanger Prosthetics & Orthotics Inc., and clinical education manager for Orthomerica Products Inc. She has also published in the Journal of Prosthetics and Orthotics and written two chapters on lower-extremity orthoses. Ms. Fish currently serves as chief clinical officer for Linkia.
Robert Gailey, PhD, PT
Physical Therapy
Robert S. Gailey, PhD, PT, is an associate professor at the University of Miami, Florida, School of Medicine, Department of Physical Therapy, where he has taught, practiced clinically, and conducted research for over 20 years. Known as a talented physical therapist and a thought-provoking educator, Bob Gailey is a mover and a shaker in the field of amputee rehabilitation. He has a joint position with Miami Veterans Affairs Medical Center as a health science researcher. He has authored numerous publications and has continued research efforts directed toward: evidenced based amputee rehabilitation, the biomechanics and metabolic cost of prosthetic gait, functional assessment, and athletic pursuits of the amputee as well as other athletes with disabilities across the life span.
Bob remains active with many organizations, including the Amputee Coalition of America (ACA) and the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA). He also participated as a member of the United States Disabled Sports Medical Team in several World Championships and Paralympic Games and continues to work with some of the most elite athletes with disabilities from around the world.
Ronnie Graves, RTP, BOCO, LPO
O&P Technicians’ Interests and Issues
Ronnie Graves, CO, BOCPO, RTP, has been involved in the O&P industry for 26 years. He received his technician training from the late Ken Reeser, LP, in Orlando, Florida, and later became a Florida-licensed prosthetist and orthotist. He chaired the first Technician Education Committee for the American Academy of Orthotists and Prosthetists (the Academy) and was the first chairman for the Orthotic & Prosthetic Technological Association (OPTA). He also is the logistical manager for the Disaster Animal Response Team (DART) in Florida.
Edward Haddon, MEd, CO
Practitioner and Technician Education
Edward Haddon is the director of Orthotic and Prosthetic Education at Century College, White Bear Lake, Minnesota. He has taught orthotics and prosthetics for 23 years at Century College, serving as director for the past six years.
Mr. Haddon is a member of the National Association of Prosthetic and Orthotic Educators (NAPOE), American Academy of Orthotists and Prosthetists (AAOP), and the American Orthotic and Prosthetic Association (AOPA). He is also a residency site evaluator for the National Commission on Orthotics and Prosthetics Education (NCOPE). He served on the technical certification committee of the American Board for Certification in Orthotics and Prosthetics (ABC) for 12 years.
Glyn H. Heath, PhD
O&P Education, Technology, Clinical Practice
Glyn H. Heath, PhD, entered the prosthetics and orthotics profession in the mid-1980s after earning his BSc and postgraduate qualifications in biological science and engineering-based subjects. After obtaining state registration in orthotics and, later, prosthetics, he earned his PhD at the University of Salford, United Kingdom, where he now teaches as a senior lecturer.
Dr. Heath is active in prosthetics/orthotics research; his main interest is in the control of upper-limb prostheses and orthoses. He is involved in several collaborative research projects with Russian prosthetic and orthotic institutes in the field of component design, biomechanics, and clinical evaluation.
Chris Hovorka, MS, CPO
O&P Education, Clinical Practice
Christopher F. Hovorka, MS, CPO, is clinical director of the Master of Science program in Prosthetics and Orthotics at the Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta. He is a commissioner of the National Commission on Orthotic & Prosthetic Education (NCOPE), member of the National Association of Prosthetic & Orthotic Educators (NAPOE) and is on the editorial board for the Journal of Prosthetics and Orthotics.
Patricia “Patty” Johnson
Disabled Sports, Rehabilitation-Related News & Events, Marketing
Patty Johnson is the executive vice president for Ron Sonntag Public Relations. A major portion of her career has been devoted to public relations and marketing programs involving the prosthetics and orthotics field. Additionally, she and RSPR staff members were instrumental in the design, development, and production of three national magazines for a disability audience: Challenge, InMotion, and Amputee Golfer. She also coordinates marketing and sponsorship for a variety of local and national special events
Rosielena Jované C., Orthotist/Prosthetist Lic. #2-1, Panama, Republic of Panama
Latin American O&P
Rosielena “Rosie” M. Jované C. is assistant director marketing & sales, International Department, for Becker Orthopedic, Troy, Michigan. Her responsibilities include assisting all Spanish-speaking customers, plus customers from Brazil.
Ms. Jované earned her degree in prosthetics and orthotics from the “Instituto Nacional de Rehabilitación del Lisiado,” Buenos Aires, Argentina. (1981) and her Panamanian License # 2-1 as a certified prosthetist-orthotist in 1982. She also holds a bachelor of science degree from Felix Olivares Contreras College in Panama (1976).
Ms. Jované is Latin American consultant for the International Society for Prosthetics & Orthotics (ISPO). She is the coordinator of international projects and an advisor for the Community Service program for ISPO Panama. For her extended work in the Latin America region, she has been recognized as an honorary member of the Dominican Republic O&P Society, SMOPAC (Mexican Society of Orthotics & Prosthetics), SAPO (Puerto Rican Academic Orthotic & Prosthetic Society, and ASOCOPRO (Colombian Orthotic & Prosthetic Society).
Wieland Kaphingst, Dipl-Ing, CPO (EC), CP
Education, International Rehabilitation Management
Wieland Kaphingst is a biomedical engineer and is certified as a prosthetist/orthotist in Germany and by the European Commission (EC), as well being certified as a prosthetist by the American Board for Certification in Orthotics and Prosthetics (ABC).
His extensive international experience is in O&P education, business management, and project management. He has taught in International Society for Prosthetics and Orthotics (ISPO) Category II and Category I schools worldwide and – before immigrating to the USA in 1994 – he served as director of the German Federal O&P School. He had previously managed both large and small O&P companies in Germany. Most recently, he has served as a consultant and project manager in special O&P-related projects for Ossur Inc.
He is a member of the US Member Society of ISPO, the American Academy of Orthotists and Prosthetists (the Academy), the Project Management Institute (PMI), and the American Society for Quality (ASQ). He has actively presented and chaired in international conferences and is published in several languages.
Séamus Kennedy, BEng (Mech), CPed
Pedorthics
Séamus Kennedy is the president and co-owner of Hersco Orthotic Labs, Long Island City, New York. He received his degree in mechanical engineering from University College, Dublin, Ireland, in 1988. He became involved in the biomechanics field in 1995 when, along with his brother, he bought Hersco Arch Products, a business founded over 60 years ago in New York City.
Mr. Kennedy became a certified pedorthist in 1996. Since then, he has developed and expanded the company to manufacture both custom foot orthotics an
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John Latsko, Attorney
Legal, Regulatory, Business Operations
John Latsko is a partner in the health law practice area of Schottenstein, Zox & Dunn, Columbus, Ohio. He is the past editor of the Ohio Health Law Update. Before joining the firm, he was general counsel to a large teaching hospital and healthcare system, chief operating officer to a 500-bed not-for-profit hospital, and CEO of a physician practice management company.
Charles E. Levy, MD
Physiatry
Charles E. Levy, MD, is chief, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Service, North Florida/South Georgia Veterans Health System, and associate professor, Department of Occupational Therapy, College of Public Health and Health Professions, University of Florida.
Dr. Levy is nationally recognized for research and service. He has been named as a “Best Doctor in America” since 2001, received the Young Academician Award from the Association of Academic Physiatrists (AAP), has advised the Center For Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) on prosthetics, orthotics, and wheelchairs, and has testified before the US House of Representatives on telehealth. Dr. Levy is a board member of various patient and professional advocacy groups. He has served as a rehabilitation consultant for the television show ER and is the author of numerous peer-reviewed journal articles and book chapters. He is also an award-winning banjoist and fiddler.
Karl Lindborg, CPO
O&P Clinical Practice
Karl Lindborg, CPO, has ten years of clinical experience, with six years managing a branch office of a private-sector O&P facility and four years with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). He worked eight years as a technician learning O&P fabrication and technical skills at several facilities in the western US, then received his bachelors degree in prosthetics and orthotics from the University of Washington, Seattle.
He is a 2005 graduate of the VA VISN 21/22 Leadership Development Institute and is on the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) DMERC “A” Team for Prosthetics and Orthotics. He is a member of the Board of Directors for the California Orthotics and Prosthetics Association (COPA). Mr. Lindborg also has served as an O&P expert with a medical review team for a major insurance company and has served as an expert witness in legal cases involving O&P.
Karl regards as one of the highlights of his career serving as a volunteer prosthetist at the 2002 Paralympic Games in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Ken Marich, BS, MBA
Pedorthic Technology
Ken Marich is the principal partner for Medical Technology Advisors, providing clinical and marketing consulting for manufacturers of medical products. He consulted with Amfit Inc. for six years in the development of CAD/CAM technology for the design and manufacture of custom foot orthotics. Mr. Marich has over 20 years experience in the development of diagnostic medical ultrasound equipment for cardiovascular applications and therapeutic ultrasound for surgical applications. He has conducted medical research at Stanford University School of Medicine and University of California School of Veterinary Medicine. He has taught courses at Auburn University, University of California-San Francisco School of Medicine, DeAnza College, Central Oregon Community College, and for the Corporate Education Programs at Diasonics Ultrasound and Amfit. Mr. Marich earned a BS degree in medical technology and an MBA in marketing. He is the author of two books and over 50 scientific papers.
John W. Michael, MEd, CPO, FISPO, FAAOP
Clinical Practice, Technology, Business Operations
John W. Michael holds a degree in clinical education and is a charter member of the Upper Limb Prosthetics and Gait societies of the American Academy of Orthotists and Prosthetists (AAOP). He has written numerous articles on prosthetic and orthotic topics for a variety of texts and journals and has lectured widely in the US, Canada, and other countries.
He is active in several professional societies and disability groups, including the American Academy of Orthotists and Prosthetists (AAOP), the Canadian Association of Prosthetists and Orthotists (CAPO), and the International Society for Prosthetics and Orthotics (ISPO). He has previously served as president of AAOP, as an official consultant to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS), and as an advisor to the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
Alberto Castillo Moreno, OP
O&P in Latin America
Alberto Castillo Moreno has worked with upper and lower-limb amputees for 40 years and has been a lecturer, professor, and instructor in numerous continuing education courses organized by the Mexican Association of Orthotists and Prosthetists (Sociedad Mexicana de Ortesistas y Protesistas-SMOPAC) since its founding in 1974. He has been an instructor at the Mexican Rehabilitation Institute P&O School.
Edward S. Neumann, PhD, PE, CP
Engineering, Rehabilitation Education, Clinical Practice
Edward S. Neumann, PhD, PE, CP, is director of the Center for Disability and Applied Biomechanics, professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering, and adjunct professor of kinesiology at the University of Nevada-Las Vegas. He has developed and teaches graduate level courses in the analysis of human motion, orthopedic biomechanics, prosthetic systems engineering, and ergonomics to students in biomedical engineering and kinesiology. He is chair of the Research Education Committee of the American Academy of Prosthetics and Orthotics, and currently serves on the Clinical Assessment/Research Development Committee of the National Commission on Orthotic and Prosthetic Education (NCOPE). Interests include quantification of subjective phenomena related to socket fit, modeling of gait and alignment, and the incorporation of evidence-based methods in clinical practice.
Dr. Neumann received his bachelor of science degree in civil engineering from Michigan Technological University and his masters degree and doctorate in civil engineering from Northwestern University. He completed the certificate course in prosthetics at Northwestern University, is certified by the American Board for Certification in Orthotics and Prosthetics (ABC) as a prosthetist, and also holds BOC certification.
Paul E. Prusakowski, CPO, LPO, FAAOP
Information & Communications Technology, Clinical Practice
Paul E. Prusakowski, CPO, has been involved in O&P since 1985 and is a 1992 graduate of Florida International University with a BS in O&P. After graduating, he was first involved in hospital-based O&P practice, and in 1999, began a private clinical practice in Gainesville, Florida. Mr. Prusakowski is the president of O&P Digital Technologies, the developers of oandp.com, and founder and moderator of OANDP-L, the Orthotics and Prosthetics Listserver. He has been actively involved in both state and national professional associations and is currently president of the American Academy of Orthotists and Prosthetists (AAOP).
Cherie D. Zeringue, BSME, BSBmE, MBA
Marketing, Business Operations
Cherie D. Zeringue owns Growth Solutions, a marketing and sales consulting company in Salt Lake City, Utah, specializing in O&P, engineering firms, and small businesses. Ms. Zeringue’s focus is centered on strategic marketing and tactical implementation of marketing programs to promote sales growth. Ms. Zeringue has been involved with O&P since 1994, having served as general manager of Medonics from 1994 to 1999 and director of marketing at Springlite from 1999 through 2001. Both her engineering and marketing background drive her passion for meeting new challenges in marketing and product development.
