Presto! Here’s a Mobile Classroom!

PRESTO How can you make prosthetic technical procedures seem like magic? PRESTO! Prosthetics Research Specialists, Inc. is giving new meaning to the term "Distance Learning" by taking a fully equipped prosthetic training lab directly to O & P facilities to conduct training. PRESTO! stands for P rosthetics R esearch E ducation S pecialists T raining O n the road! PRESTO! recently completed its first road trip.

Ronnie Graves, CEO of PRS, who has 23 years of O&P experience, is the truck driver and trainer for the mobile classroom. Graves is registered with the American Board for Certification in Orthotics and Prosthetics (ABC) as a prosthetic technician, certified by the Board for Orthotist/Prosthetist Certification (BOC) as an orthotist, and licensed by the state of Florida as a prosthetist and orthotist. Graves also spent two years as chairman of the American Academy of Orthotists and Prosthetists (AAOP) Education Committee.

Ronnie Graves - PRS The inaugural road trip for PRESTO! included conducting workshops at the Midwest AAOP Chapter annual meeting May 30-June 1 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Bill Falcon of Bracemasters, Butler, Wisconsin, hosted the mobile classroom as part of the company's open house celebrating the opening of its new central fabrication lab. Graves said it was an honor to participate in the Midwest Chapter of the Academy meeting, especially since PRS General Manager Michael Burton served on the chapter's board of directors for two years.

The workshops at the meeting included demonstrations of the teaching capabilities of PRESTO! and the added value of its mobility. By bringing education to employees, companies avoid travel expenses and much lost time at the workplace. Graves uses hands-on instruction techniques along with a combination of special PowerPoint presentations developed by PRS. Topics cover everything from mixing plaster to laminating and completely finishing prostheses.

Following the Midwest AAOP Chapter meeting, Graves and PRESTO! made their way to Hickory Hills, Illinois, to be part of the grand opening of the new Scheck & Siress Advanced Prosthetics and Orthotics facility. Several educational presentations were made for technicians at Scheck and Siress that were custom-designed for specific company needs.

Technicians attending the presentations ranged from those very new in the field to some seasoned veterans. Being able to explain technical theories in a practical manner that can then be incorporated into everyday procedures is not always easy to do. In order to create a true understanding of the procedures they are following, Graves ensures that the theory behind all procedures taught in the mobile classroom are thoroughly and clearly explained.

"In today's market, we have to educate technicians and practitioners in a manner that demonstrates how to build a consistent product at an affordable price," Graves says, adding, "Gone are the days when you can grab all the carbon you want and not worry about the cost. Also gone are the days when you can waste two or three check sockets to get a good pull." Classes and workshops give answers to issues such as how much stockinette should be used in a lay up and if fiberglass, carbon, or nyglass should be used.

The reaction from the people who attended the first workshops has been overwhelming, according to Mike Burton. Graves and PRESTO! will be returning to the Chicago area in October to conduct additional training. Technicians have been very happy to receive special hands on training that not only teaches them how to complete a task, but why they must conduct each specific task, notes Burton. "Business owners recognize the value of having someone on site to conduct training with the educational experience required to be effective," he adds.

Graves looks forward to taking PRESTO! on many more road trips. However, he is very hopeful that weather will be more cooperative on future trips. Heavy rains in the Midwest kept Graves and his miniature beagle, Honey, inside for the better part of a week. The fishing rods that are present on all trips were never taken out of their cases . Fortunately, the Kenworth tractor that pulls the educational trailer is also a motor home. The Kenworth was necessary to pull the fully equipped lab and helps to ensure the timely arrival for educational workshops, while eliminating hotel expenses.

"PRS looks forward to traveling and teaching well into the future," Graves says.

"Courses are taught in a truly instructional format, not in the format of an infomercial. I feel fortunate that I can share my experiences gained from many years of teaching at trade shows and labs across the country. Hiring Michael Burton to manage PRS has given me the ability to travel extensively. Having the support of my family and friends gives me the courage to embark on this new journey and adventure."

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