The Institute is the brainchild of our founder, Arlene Gillis, CP, LPO, M.Ed. Ms. Gillis is a noteworthy O&P professional with over 25 years of experience, including 10 years as a practitioner, followed by 15 years as an educator and O&P program director
at St. Petersburg College in Florida. Ms. Gillis has served on numerous national boards and committees, as well as participated in a variety of O&P research studies with combat injured veterans.
Collectively, these experiences led Ms. Gillis to identify two significant voids in the O&P profession, and more particularly, in the treatment of members of the armed services who have lost limbs. Specifically, Ms. Gillis
observed that O&P veterans benefit significantly from a holistic approach to the treatment of their injuries, but noted that the availability of such holistic care is limited; and Ms. Gillis recognized that a collaborative
approach between researchers, educators and practitioners is necessary for the advancement of the treatment of O&P patients, the training and the education of O&P practitioners, and research and development in the O&P industry.
Ms. Gillis first became interested in the field of rehabilitation when she was just 12 years old after her mother was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis and subsequently passed away. Determined to help other families who
are challenged with any kind of physical impairment, Ms. Gillis eventually pursued a career in Rehabilitation and Physical Therapy. It was during this time that she discovered the field of Orthotics and Prosthetics, and
it has remained her life-long passion.
Nelson LeMarquand MS,CO,FAAOP/ATP. Nelson has been actively involved in the rehabilitation industry for over thirty years, specializing in adaptive technology for the physically challenged. He received his orthotic certification and became a member of the American Academy of Orthotists and Prosthetists in 1990, a Fellow of the Academy in 2001, and certification as an Assistive Technology Practitioner in 1997. He is also a Florida Licensed Orthotist and serves on the board of the Florida Chapter of the Academy. Nelson holds both an M.S. and B.S. degree in Health Care Management. Nelson is employed by Allard USA, Rockaway, New Jersey, as South Florida Territory Manager and SWASH® (Standing, Walking, and Sitting Hip Orthosis) specialist.
Journey Led Solutions (JLS), LLC is a consulting firm committed to the design and development of curriculum based on professional skills and knowledge competencies, with a major focus on health programming. JLS consults on program accreditation and application
process to assist colleges with issues related to programmatic accreditation. JLS also provides facilitation services to organizations and groups to create forward thinking goals and resolutions. The members of Journey
Led Solutions, LLC are Ms. Sondra Flemming, MSN, Vice President of Academic Affairs for El Centro College, Ms. Joan Becker, MSN, Dean of Nursing for El Centro College and M. LaCheeta McPherson, Ph.D., Executive Dean for
Health and Legal Studies for El Centro College. recommendations from the Institute of Medicine (IOM), the Nationals Health Skills Standards, and the PEW Commission.
Each member of JLS has extensive knowledge in health professions curriculum development, program accreditation, and leadership. Each member has served as chair or president on state and national boards related
to health professions and accreditation. These boards include: NN2, The National Network of Health Career Programs in Two Year Colleges; NAACLS, The National Accreditation Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences; CAAHEP,
The Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs; TOADN, The Texas Association for Associate Degree Nursing, NLNAC (ACEN) National League for Nursing Accreditation Committee (ACEN) site visitor; The Texas
Higher Education Coordinating Board Grants and Concept Based Curriculum for Nursing Committee; The Texas Society of Allied Health Professions; The Texas Team Advancing Nursing, and the AHEC committee for the Texas Board
of Nursing. recommendations from the Institute of Medicine (IOM), the Nationals Health Skills Standards, and the PEW Commission.
Each member of JLS has received national recognition for their efforts related to the development of a health care core curriculum. Most recently this curriculum has been recognized by the U.S. Department of
Labor and the American National Standards Institute, as the model curriculum for all health care professionals. The curriculum is based upon recommendations from the Institute of Medicine (IOM), the Nationals Health Skills
Standards, and the PEW Commission.
Sondra Flemming is the Vice President of Community and Economic Development at El Centro College in Dallas, Texas. She oversees three major areas including Health and Legal Studies, Workforce and Continuing Education and Business, Design and Public Service.
In this role she is responsible for major curricular initiatives involving workforce, career pathways and community partnerships. She has been at El Centro for 40 years and has served in several capacities including Vice
President of Academic Affairs, Vice President of Health and Continuing Workforce Education, Dean of Continuing Education, Interim Dean of Nursing, Associate Dean of Allied Health and as nursing faculty. She continues to
teach in the six course health core curriculum that was developed in 1996 and has presented this concept with Dr. LaCheeta McPherson throughout the United States. This core now serves as the competency model for the Department
of Labor’s competency model for health care.
Ms. Flemming has served as president of the National Network of Health Career Programs in Two Year Colleges (NN2) and was a founding member of the group. She has served as president of the Commission on Accreditation
of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) one of the largest specialized accreditors and helped with the design of CAAHEP. As a member of NN2, Ms. Flemming worked with the Health Professions Network (HPN) and the Association
of Schools of Allied Health Professions (ASAHP) to sponsor a leadership grant for allied health professionals through a HRSA grant for eight years. In addition she is an ASAHP Fellow, received the CAAHEP Exceptional Service
Award and the Janell Lange Leadership Award from NN2.
Sondra has spoken to numerous national audiences on core curriculum in health programs, grow your own partnerships and accreditation. She has worked with numerous organizations including the Office of Community
College Research and Leadership (OCCRL), the National Association of Workforce Boards (NAWB), the American Standards Institute (ANSI), the Teaching Institute for Excellence in STEM (TIES), Healthforce Minnesota and Health
Professions Network (HPN).
Ms. Flemming has also been active in state initiatives and is on the current board of the Texas Society of Allied Health Professions (TSAHP) and has served as president of that organization. She co-led the initial
Texas Team Advancing Health Through Nursing, an Initiative on the Future of Nursing. She is also a member of the Texas Nurses Association.
Sondra is a principle partner for Journey Led Solutions, LLC. Journey Led Solutions serves as a consulting company assisting colleges and organizations with curriculum/program development, accreditation planning,
strategic initiatives and outcomes/assessment strategies.
Dr. Maola graduated as summa cum laude with a Doctorate degree from National College of Chiropractic in 1999. Since acquiring his doctorate degree, Dr. Maola successfully practiced for several years while continuing academia as a contributing author for
eight chapters in the world renowned two volume radiology text, “Yochum and Rowe’s Essentials of Skeletal Radiology” Edition 3. He still continues to publish in peer-reviewed journals as well as provide educational articles
for professional magazines. His latest peer reviewed publication was entitled Chiropractic Management of Low Back Pain in a Patient with a Transfemoral Amputation.
In 2001, Dr. Maola taught orthopedics and radiology as an adjunct faculty member at the Colorado College of Chiropractic. During this time, he also consulted and worked full-time at the National Board of Chiropractic
Examiners (NBCE) until 2008. During his time at the NBCE, Dr. Maola prepared, served on, and moderated committees regarding the development, piloting and implementation of the high-stakes licensure examinations developed.
Beginning in 2005, Dr. Maola regularly provided nationwide continuing education accredited seminars to the chiropractic profession regarding the clinical evaluation, diagnosis and management of painful spine conditions.
In 2008, Dr. Maola accepted a job at National University of Health Sciences (NUHS) at their Florida campus. He quickly advanced from his position as a clinician to the Dean of Academic Assessment for the school.
During his time at NUHS, Dr. Maola was bestowed the Teacher of the Phase award which signifies student recognition for appreciation of the highest academic teaching abilities. Also, he was a nominated member of the Pain
Management Task Force for the Academic Consortium for Complementary and Alternative Health Care in 2012.
All said and done, Dr. Maola’s passion for the Orthotics and Prosthetic profession began in 2010, when he began to guest lecture for the St. Petersburg College’s Orthotics and Prosthetics program. Since then
he obtained an adjunct faculty position and finally decided to obtain his bachelors degree in the profession. He acquired his degree in 2015 and has since then taught as full time faculty.
Dr. Maola finds great satisfaction in applying his past and current knowledge to his new studies. He has always believed that “if you want to make a difference, you have to be involved and listen to your patient.”
Dr. Maola remains passionate about making a positive difference in a patient’s life by helping them overcome physical limitations and teaching them to live a healthier lifestyle.
Chad was born in Sarnia, Ontario. He enjoys the time he has with his family and watching his two beautiful children grow. In his spare time, Chad is a passionate do-it-yourself home improvement handyman, and
loves applying his creativity when building Legos with his children.
Susan Kapp, M.Ed., CPO, LPO, FAAOP has been in the profession for over 30 years and is the director of the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, School of Health Profession’s, Prosthetics-Orthotics Program. She received her bachelor’s degree from Texas A&M University and Masters from the University of Texas. In addition to teaching she is actively involved in patient care and resident mentoring. She has co-authored several papers and book chapters and her current research interest relates to socket pressure and prosthetic component selection. She is active within the profession and has served on several boards and committees. Ms. Kapp is currently a board member for the American Association of Orthotists and Prosthetists. She views each new class as an opportunity to share her excitement about the profession and pass on knowledge through innovative teaching and patient care.
Charles W. KuffelMSM, CPO, FAAOP is a founding owner and the current president and clinical director of Arise Orthotics & Prosthetics, Inc. in Blaine, MN. Charles serves as current Chairman of the National Commission on Orthotics and Prosthetic Education
(NCOPE) and has been part of its board for the past eight years. During that same time he served two terms as president of the Northern Plains Chapter of the American Academy of Orthotists Prosthetists & Pedorthists (AAOP).
Charles advocates for those with limb loss and limb impairments in the political arena in both his home state of Minnesota and at our nation’s capital.
He regularly attends the American Orthotic and Prosthetic Association (AOPA) Policy Forum in Washington, DC, and sponsors patients to join him for congressional office visits. In recognition of his advocacy efforts,
Charles received the AOPA Legislative Advocacy Award in 2015. For the past five years Charles has also worked as an international educator for the Becker/Tamarack Educational Series traveling to South America, India, Cambodia,
Thailand and Africa.
This past year Charles signed on as an associate professor for Concordia University in St. Paul, MN where he creates curriculum and teaches for the program that confers the new Master of Science in Prosthetics
and Orthotics. Throughout all his years Charles has regularly presented at national AAOP and AOPA meetings and twice at International Society of Prosthetics and Orthotics (ISPO) on topics that span the clinic, business
and professional advancement of the O&P field. Recently, Charles was awarded the American Academy of Orthotists and Prosthetists Distinguished Practitioner Award for 2016.
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Bio Coming Soon
Bio Coming Soon
José Miguel Gómez, Profesor, MD, LO. Received his degree as Medical Surgeon at Pontificia Universidad Javeriana in Bogotá, Colombia. He attended Northeast Metro Technical Institute in White Bear Lake, Minnesota for Orthotic program, and completed his
orthotic residency at Gillette Children’s Hospital in Saint Paul, Minnesota. Licensed in Orthotics
He has lectured in the United States, Central America, and South America and published several professional articles on the orthotic treatment of spine deformities.
He is currently the Scientific Director of Laboratorio Gilete in Bogotá, Colombia and the President of Gomez Orthotic Systems, LLC Saint Petersburg FL, Assistant Professor, teaching the spinal course at Saint Petersburg
College of Florida. As well he teach the Gomez Orthotic Spine Systems in North Western University ,South Western University, Pittsburg University, Dr. Gómez is the developer of the GOMEZ ORTHOTIC SPINE SYSTEM, a new advancement
in the evaluation and design of orthosis for spine deformities.
Received from AAOP the Clinical Creativity Award 2012, in Atlanta
Biografía del Expositor.
Dr. José Miguel Gómez T.
Médico Cirujano de la Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogotá Colombia. 1981
Ortesista Certificado de la Universidad de Minnesota y del Century College, Saint Paul, MN. 1987
Programa de residencia en Ortesis, Gillette Children’s Hospital, Saint Paul, MN. 1989
Presidente y fundador de el Centro de Rehabilitación en Ortesis y Prótesis, “Laboratorio Gilete”, Bogotá, Colombia 1989 a la fecha.
Presidente y Fundador de “Gómez Orthotic Systems” Houston, Texas. 2007 a la fecha.
Presidente y codirector de la “Fundación Gilete” Bogotá, Colombia. A la fecha
Conferencista Internacional en las áreas de Ortesis y Prótesis, con énfasis en Manejo Ortesisco de las patologías de la columna vertebral.
Profesor invitado por múltiples Universidades con programas de Ortesis y Prótesis en USA (North Western University, Chicago, Illinois, South Western, Dallas, Texas y Georgia Tech, Atlanta, Georgia, San Petersburg
College, St. Petersburg, Florida, San Florida y en La Universidad Don Bosco de el Salvador, San Salvador, El Salvador, para dictar el seminario de “Manejo Ortesico de las Patologías de la columna Vertebral”
El Doctor Gómez ha desarrollado un nuevo sistema avanzado, usando herramientas como sistema CAD CAM, denominado Gómez Orthotic Spine System para el manejo científico de las patologías de Columna vertebral y otras
del sistema osteo muscular.
Miembro activo de la Academia Americana de Ortesistas y Preteristas (AAOP), Asociación Americana de Ortesistas y Protesistas AOPA, Sociedad Internacional de Ortesistas y Protesistas ISPO.
Recibió premio a la Creatividad Clínica 2012 en Atlanta.
A typical teenager in Brazil, Pedro studied and participated in sports with his friends. He enjoyed an extensive social life and healthy lifestyle until, suddenly, he began to feel sick on September 11, 2009. No one will forget where they witnessed the
tragic events of September 11th, but this day is particularly emotional for Pedro and his loved ones as he was admitted to the hospital to fight for his life.
Pedro had contracted a fatal form of meningitis that soared through his bloodstream. With slim chances that he would survive, nearly one hundred of his closest friends and family took turns saying their goodbyes.
Miraculously, Pedro left the hospital alive six months and two comas later, but in exchange, had all of his limbs amputated above the elbows and knees.
People destined him to a life in the wheelchair, saying that no other amputee in his situation had successfully lived a life on prosthetics. Although frightened by this discouragement, Pedro knew that he did not
want to spend the rest of his life with a wheelchair by his side.
He sought advice and guidance wherever it was available, determined to live independently. Just ten months after leaving the hospital, the strength he never knew he had emerged and he gave up the wheelchair never
to sit in one again.
Today, Pedro, 25, lives independently in Florida while he finishes his bachelors in Economics at the University of South Florida. An international speaker, best-selling author, and a mentor to other amputees, he
has inspired people all around the world with his keynote talks in English, Portuguese, and Spanish.
Bio Coming Soon
As a result of a snowboarding accident, Jennifer French became a quadriplegic due to a spinal cord injury in 1998. She is an active user of the Implantable Stand & Transfer System provided by the Cleveland FES Center, MetroHealth Medical Center and Veterans
Administration; the first women to receive such a system. As a user of neurotechnology who has reaped its benefits, she is the Co-founder and Executive Director of a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, Neurotech Network.
The organization’s focus is to educate and advocate to and for persons with impairments, their caregivers and health care professionals regarding neurotechnology. French is also the Associate Publisher and Senior
Editor of Neurotech Reports, a leading news and analysis publication for the neurotechnology industry. Jen is an avid sailor. She is a silver medalist from the 2012 Paralympic Games and is the 2012 Rolex Yachtswoman of
the Year; the first woman with a disability to receive this distinction. She is the Co-Founder and Development Officer of the Warrior Sailing Program, a program of the USMMA Sailing Foundation.
Helen is gifted with a mind that is equal parts business woman and technical director. She precisely forecasts her clients’ web‐based needs and as a result, delivers technology solutions that fit like a glove. A trustworthy collaborator, Helen consistently
provides higher education organizations with innovative tools to help automate manual tasks, increase efficiency, as well as collect and mine their data.
Through her own successful technology firm, Helen has been providing clients with custom software development, workflow automation, web applications and user experience guidance for over two decades. She is a firm
believer in empowering all employees to innovate and contribute to the advancement of business objectives through technology.
In addition to speaking engagements and panel discussions, Helen is active on several school
advisory boards regarding digital curricula. She is nationally recognized in the retail and education industry as a technology expert.
Helen takes great pride in working with nonprofits and charities that focus on the disadvantaged and children, particularly those that encourage young girls to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering,
and mathematics (STEM). As a mother, Helen also enjoys collaborating and sharing advice with other entrepreneurial moms on how to strike a healthy balance between life and work. She is a Chicago born native and holds a
Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science.
As VP of Product for Indigo Interactive, Jamie Fiedler defines and drives the product strategy. Co-founding Indigo, Jamie has built a team of strong design technologists. Jamie
focuses on User experience Design (UX), User Interface Design (UI), Workflow Automation and Client Services to deliver beautiful and usable software as well as currently leading the initiative on R&D for new products.
Jamie graduated from Bradley University with a Bachelors of Arts in Communications and lives in the suburbs of Chicago and has won awards for her work.
Angela Courtade CPO, LPO, is a certified and licensed prosthetist and orthotist. She is currently an instructor of Orthotics and Prosthetics at St. Petersburg College.
Angela began her schooling at the University of Northern Iowa in pre-allied health curriculum. She transferred to the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas, pursuing a degree in the field
of Orthotics and Prosthetics. She completed residencies in orthotics at The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center in Oklahoma City and in prosthetics at Southern Illinois School of Medicine in Springfield.
After her residencies, Angela worked for Dale Clark Prosthetics, Nova Care, and Hanger Clinics, throughout Iowa. She was invited to be member of the National Lower Extremity Specialist Team. A job opportunity
for Angela and her husband, also a prosthetist, she met while at school in Dallas, brought their family to warm, sunny Florida. Her current position at St. Petersburg College, as lead instructor for prosthetics, clinical
methods, cad-cam and advanced topics in O&P, has enabled her to share her enthusiasm of the field with the future generation of clinicians.
Angela is a member of the Amputee Coalition, American Academy of Orthotists and Prosthetists, serving on the Secondary Knowledge Committee. She also contributes to the profession as a board member for the Orthotics
and Prosthetics Activities Foundation.
Angela, her husband and three sons reside in Wesley Chapel, Florida.
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Anne-Marie Ayers has been a leader in assisting both Landlords and Tenants in the acquisition, re-positioning, re-structuring and disposition of real estate in the
Tampa Bay area for more than 25 years. She has facilitated institutional building owners including California State Teachers' Retirement System, Government of Singapore Investment Corporation, MetLife Real Estate, Piedmont
Office Realty Trust, Prudential Real Estate Investors and TIAA-CREF in the successful disposition, re-positioning, and re-leasing of their assets.
The substantial list of successful transactions completed by Anne-Marie
demonstrates her ability to quickly identify, locate, evaluate and finalize headquarters, regional and branch locations while ensuring each client’s unique objectives are achieved.
Prior to joining CBRE, Inc.
as an Office Properties Specialist, Anne-Marie spent 11 years in development with Childress Klein and Corporex where her expertise was invaluable in the groundup development, leasing, marketing and sale of both office and
industrial product.
Bio Coming Soon
Bio Coming Soon
