The Amputee Coalition has elected Dan Berschinski, a decorated war veteran and amputee, to serve a three-year term on its board of directors, effective immediately. Berschinski is an Amputee Coalition certified peer visitor who regularly visits wounded soldiers, and in 2011, he raised $10,000 for the Amputee Coalition Paddy Rossbach Youth Camp, where he plans to volunteer this summer.
Berschinski previously served as liaison to the vice chief of staff of the Army in efforts to improve recovery conditions for wounded warriors. He also worked with the Joint Improved Explosive Device Defeat Organization (JIEDDO), a Department of Defense (DoD) agency, to manage medical products with applications for injured servicemen. He is credited with identifying innovative military equipment enhancements, in collaboration with the Army Procurement Office, to develop and distribute “bomb boots” and blast-resistant gloves to soldiers in Afghanistan.
During Operation Enduring Freedom, Berschinski led a platoon in daily patrols and combat missions in Afghanistan. After encountering an improvised explosive device (IED), one such mission cost him his legs. He has received the Purple Heart, Bronze Star, Combat Infantryman’s Badge, and Ranger Tab.
Berschinski is the founder and president of his own service-disabled, veteran-owned small business. He is in the process of patenting a prosthetic socket for hip disarticulations, and he conceived a haptic feedback system that will be designed and tested with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Cambridge, Media Lab.
While recovering from his injuries he has completed the Marine Corps Marathon and two Army Ten-Miler races.
A graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York, Berschinski earned a bachelor of science degree in international relations.
“We are honored to welcome Dan to the Amputee Coalition,” said Kendra Calhoun, president and CEO of the Amputee Coalition. “He brings a wealth of personal and professional experience as a wounded warrior, an Army officer, an entrepreneur, and as an athlete. We look forward to his perspective as we expand our support for active duty service-members and veterans living with limb loss and their families. As a businessman and Amputee Coalition volunteer, his input into our strategic philanthropic efforts will be of great value.”
