CONGRATULATIONS to our students Alex Chavez, Emily Grauman, Shannon Crow, Brandon Costa, Mason Tigner and Madelyn Carey (not pictured) for receiving their Masters in Biomedical Engineering from FIU on July 29, 2019! We are so proud of them and we wish them all the best!
© International Institute of Orthotics and Prosthetics. All Rights Reserved.
Donated and Designed by Indigo Interactive
John Travis Godwin, Attorney
SecretaryKay M. Burniston is currently Executive Director for the Daytona State College Foundation. In this position she oversees the distribution of over one million dollars to students and program support. She works with donors and the community to find appropriate matches. During her three year tenure, at DSC, there has been over 5 million dollars received in donations. She is active with local literacy initiatives. Prior to this position, she was Vice President for Baccalaureate Programs at St. Petersburg College. This was the first community college in Florida to offer bachelor’s degree.
Kay was instrumental in designing this successful system which created over 20 bachelor degrees, including the Bachelor program for Orthotics & Prosthetics. This design was the pilot for other Florida community colleges, who now offer four year programs in their communities. St. Petersburg continues to be the largest and most diverse in its four year degree offerings. During her time at St. Petersburg College, she served in various capacities on state and local boards. She was a member of the Community College Baccalaureate Association, Leadership Tampa Bay, Council for Resource Development, and Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Accreditation.
Her previous roles included Vice President for Planning, Research and Development, Daytona Beach Community College. In this position she had oversight for grants, marketing, institutional research, and technology. During this time, a 6.2 million technology installation occurred, connecting 5 campuses with a fiber optic network and installing new data base manager. She, also, played a role in establishing the college’s public television station. She was involved in Council for the Advancement and Support of Education and local children advocacy organizations.
She received her bachelor degree from Western Michigan University and her master’s from the University of Central Florida. She received a fellowship to attend Harvard University’s Institute of Educational Management.
TreasurerAs a Certified Public Accountant in West Central Florida and the Tampa Bay area for almost thirty years, Mary Simmons has built a very solid reputation for assisting individuals and companies. With her experience and expertise in accounting services, financial planning and tax services, she is committed to providing personal service and building professional relationships.
Address:
2805 W Busch Blvd., Suite 115
Tampa, FL 33618
Phone 813-443-4840
Fax 888-204-4447
www.cpa-tpa.com
ChairOver 15 years of experience providing legal services to privately held and public companies, including, general corporate, corporate goverance, securities, complex business transactions, mergers and acquisitions, SEC registration, reporting and disclosure compliance, and private equity.
Licensed to practice in Washington, D.C. and Florida.
Bio Coming Soon
Cyndy Donnelly, Senior Administrative Services Specialist, for Orthotics and Prosthetics. She has a passion for helping others and enjoys working with students and patient models.
Cyndy Donnelly and her husband Jack Donnelly owned and operated a restaurant, catering business and specialty produce business and were very involved in the community. Cyndy has been a member of the All Children’s Hospital Guild, Seminole Chapter, member of the Treasure Island Flames, Women’s auxiliary to the volunteer fire department, SAC representative, Seminole Middle School, LaFleur’s Booster Club, Rock Solid, Booster Club, Vice President/Secretary of her Home Owner’s Association.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Charles W. Kuffel, MSM, 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.
Bio Coming Soon
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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Another Modal
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.
