O&P Rising, hosted by rising O&P professionals, offers candid insights from seasoned O&P professionals on topics that are relevant to those interested in starting out on the right foot when it comes to a career in O&P. During these half-hour sessions, students, residents, and newly certified practitioners will speak with established O&P professionals to get their take on what worked well for them.
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Prosthetist Podcasts
The AMP'D UP211 Podcast is proud to feature extraordinary individuals in the Limb Loss Community. Our Video Podcast episodes feature athletes, celebrities, public speakers, practitioners, and innovators in the world of prosthetics.
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Join Seth O’Brien, CP, FAAOP(D), as he dissects clinical care topics with leaders of the American Academy of Orthotists and Prosthetists Scientific Societies and the O&P profession. During these 30-minute podcasts, guests will discuss their area of clinical care and share personal experiences as professionals in that specialty and beyond, offering a relaxed journey into the professional lives of those that focus on a specific area of O&P patient care.
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Welcome to The Prosthetic Experience. For many, understanding what it means to have to use a prosthetic rather than a natural limb is very hard to comprehend. We understand what a prosthetic is at a basic level, but we do not understand how its limits impact day to day activities and the impact it has on a person physically, mentally, and emotionally. The excitement today is how technology is changing so rapidly and how we are getting closer to bionics that grant amputees human-surpassing ab ...
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O&P Career Pathways Part 4: Manufacturer Pathways
23:18
23:18
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23:18In this episode, guest host Dottie Anderson, CO, a prosthetic resident at the Minneapolis VA Medical Center, speaks with Megan Hodgson, MPO, CPO, clinical operations manager at Point Designs and a member of the Academy’s board of directors, for part four of the O&P Career Pathways series. Megan reflects on her transition from clinical practice to m…
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On this episode of The AMP’D UP211 Podcast, host Rick Bontkowski; amputee, advocate, drummer, and storyteller, sits down with one of the most unexpectedly extraordinary people you’ll ever meet: Mark Watson. Mark isn’t a celebrity. He isn’t a decorated athlete. He isn’t a world-traveling motivational speaker. He’s an everyday guy who survived a life…
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Five Challenges in Pediatric Prosthetic Care
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38:53
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38:53In this episode, host Seth O’Brien, CP, FAAOP(D), sits down with Michelle Hall, MS, CPO, FAAOP(D), lead prosthetist and O&P residency director at Gillette Children’s in St. Paul, Minnesota. Michelle breaks down the top five challenges she sees in pediatric prosthetic care, exploring topics such as parental indecision, condoning unhelpful behaviors,…
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Breaking the Mold - Viktoria Modesta
1:06:31
1:06:31
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1:06:31She didn’t just rewrite the rules, she built an entirely new playbook. Viktoria Modesta, the world’s first amputee pop star and one of the most iconic creative forces in modern culture, sits down with Rick Bontkowski for a rare, revealing conversation. From medical trauma to global stages… From silence to self-invention… From prosthetic necessity t…
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O&P Career Pathways Part 3: Academia Pathways
31:48
31:48
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31:48In this episode, guest host Alex Jensch—a master's of science in prosthetics and orthotics student at the University of Hartford (UHart), Connecticut—talks with Duffy Felmlee, CPO, FAAOP(D), professor at UHart, Academy treasurer, and co-chair of the Fabrication Science Society, for part three of the O&P Career Pathways series. Duffy reflects on his…
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From Prosthetics to Purpose - Jason Dickens
1:06:41
1:06:41
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1:06:41What if a retired prosthetic could be more than a memory? What if it could become a knife that honors a veteran’s story… or fund a child’s new leg… or even help an amputee climb a 14,000-foot mountain? In this inspiring episode, Rick Bontkowski sits down with Jason Dickens, founder of ReDefined Prosthetics, a nonprofit redefining what it means to g…
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Beyond the Uniform: A Veteran’s Journey Through Recovery and Renewal
33:43
33:43
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33:43In this episode, host Seth O’Brien, CP, FAAOP(D), sits down with Ian Parkinson, a veteran of the U.S. Army's 10th Mountain Division who has bilateral transfemoral amputations. Ian shares his journey transitioning from military to civilian life after losing his legs during a combat deployment to Kandahar, Afghanistan. The conversation explores the c…
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O&P Career Pathways Part 2: Research Pathways
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30:30In this episode, guest host Julia Pines, certified orthotist and board-eligible prosthetist at OrthoPediatrics Specialty Bracing in Boston, sits down with Kiley Armstrong, MPO, CPO, research prosthetist-orthotist at Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine, for part two of the O&P Career Pathways series. Together, they explore the rese…
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Early Intervention and Best Practices in Cranial Remolding
31:26
31:26
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31:26In this episode, host Seth O’Brien, CP, FAAOP(D), sits down with Jim Brookshier, MPO, CLPO, FAAOP, cranial specialist and clinical professor at the University of Texas Department of Neurosurgery in San Antonio. Together, they explore the critical elements of effective cranial remolding care—from the importance of early intervention and referral sou…
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O&P Career Pathways Part 1: Clinical Pathways
28:10
28:10
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28:10In this episode, guest host Avery-Claire Littleton, resident prosthetist/orthotist at ForMotion Clinic in Alabama, kicks off a four-part O&P Career Pathways series with Trey Cimorelli, CPO at Next Step Bionics and Prosthetics in New Hampshire. Trey shares his journey from shadowing a local prosthetist to becoming a certified clinician, including hi…
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In this episode, we're flipping the script on our usual host Seth O’Brien, CP, FAAOP(D), as our guest host Abbey Senczyszyn, CPO, of Bremer Prosthetic Design, leads the conversation. We're getting Seth's take on how artificial intelligence is making its way into clinical practice, from patient care and documentation to gait analysis. Together, they…
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In this episode, guest host Hannah Perkins, resident prosthetist/orthotist at Macy O&P in Guilford, Connecticut, talks with Stephen Charry, CPO, FAAOP, assistant professor at the University of Hartford, about building and using a diagnostic toolbox in the O&P profession. Together, they explore essential tools such as patient history, physical asses…
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Surviving the Unthinkable - Katy Grainger
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51:51
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51:51On this episode of The AMP’D UP211 Podcast, host Rick Bontkowski welcomes Katy Grainger, a sepsis survivor whose life changed forever in the span of just a few days. What began as a small cut on her thumb quickly escalated into septic shock, organ failure, and a medically induced coma. When Katy awoke, she faced the unimaginable reality of losing b…
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Tackling Challenges in Upper-Limb Prostheses
31:15
31:15
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31:15In this episode, host Seth O’Brien, CP, FAAOP(D), is joined by Shane Grubbs, CPO/L, FAAOP, director at Ottobock.care and chair of the Academy’s Upper-Limb Prosthetics Scientific Society. Together, they unpack Shane’s top five challenges in upper limb prosthetics—from building patient confidence to creating supportive environments, improving educati…
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Firefighter. Amputee. History Maker - Michael Laughlin
48:28
48:28
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48:28What does it take to return to one of the most physically demanding jobs on earth, after losing your leg? In this unforgettable episode of The AMP’D UP211 Podcast, host Rick Bontkowski sits down with Michael Laughlin, Canada’s first amputee firefighter, whose story is as courageous as the job he’s reclaimed. After a devastating motorcycle accident …
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In this episode, guest host Anna Cook, a board-eligible prosthetist orthotist at Gillette Children's Specialty Healthcare in St. Paul, Minnesota, sits down with Chris Robinson, MS, MBA, CPO, ATC, FAAOP(D), clinical resource director for the National Commission on Orthotic and Prosthetic Education (NCOPE). Together, they explore the newly introduced…
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In this powerful episode of The AMP’D UP211 Podcast, host Rick Bontkowski sits down with Parker Byrd, a standout athlete, college baseball player, and the first NCAA Division I player to compete with a prosthetic leg. After a life-altering boating accident took his leg, Parker defied every odd and returned to the field with more grit and heart than…
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Evaluating Patient Outcomes with the C-Brace
26:54
26:54
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26:54In this episode, recorded live at the 51st Academy Annual Meeting and Scientific Symposium in Atlanta, host Seth O’Brien, CP, FAAOP(D), welcomes Russ Lundstrom, Director of Clinical Research and Services at Ottobock and recipient of the Thranhardt Lecture Series Award. Lundstrom shares insights from his research on goal attainment and reduced relia…
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Confidence in Every Step: Innovations in Microprocessor Knees
33:29
33:29
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33:29In this episode of O&P Clinical Care Insiders: Industry Partners Edition, host Seth O'Brien, CP, FAAOP(D), speaks with Breanne Logan, MSOP, CPO, senior clinical manager at BrainRobotics, to explore the transformative impact of emerging prosthetic technologies. They dive into the features and development of the Kneuro microprocessor knee, discuss ho…
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The Relentless Climb Back - Tom Jalinski
1:00:17
1:00:17
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1:00:17What does it take to stare down adversity and keep climbing, literally? In this episode of The AMP’D UP211 Podcast, host and creator Rick Bontkowski sits down with Tom Jalinski, a bilateral below-the-knee amputee who refused to let limb loss define his limits. Tom takes us deep into the mental and physical grind of becoming an endurance hiker post-…
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Shared Decision Making and Patient Empowerment in O&P
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24:17
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24:17In this episode, guest host Molly Winget, CO and prosthetic resident at Boston O&P, talks with Chelsey Anderson, Pediatrics Research Fellow at Cincinnati Children's Hospital, about the critical role of shared decision making in prosthetic and orthotic care. They explore the difference between simply offering choices and genuinely involving patients…
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Strength Beyond the Scale - Mark Ksobiech
48:18
48:18
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48:18What happens when determination outweighs despair? In this powerful episode of The AMP’D UP211 Podcast, host Rick Bontkowski sits down with Mark Ksobiech, an amputee who lost over 250 pounds and reclaimed his life in the face of overwhelming challenges. Mark opens up about the emotional and physical transformation that reshaped his identity, his he…
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Addressing the Psychosocial Impact of Scoliosis
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30:05
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30:05In this episode, recorded live at the 51st Academy Annual Meeting and Scientific Symposium in Atlanta, host Seth O'Brien, CP, FAAOP(D), explores the psychosocial impact of scoliosis with two leading voices in the field: Megan Glahn Castille, MS, CPO/LPO, assistant professor at Baylor College of Medicine and founder of the nonprofit Scolios-us, and …
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Limb Preservation Foundation - Hope Beyond Limits 2025 - PART 2
1:10:17
1:10:17
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1:10:17Part 2 of this special live series brings you straight to the heart of the 2025 Limb Preservation Foundation Symposium, where leaders in medicine, technology, advocacy, and lived experience come together to reshape the future of limb care. Hosted and created by Rick Bontkowski, The AMP’D UP211 Podcast continues its mission to amplify voices from th…
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In this episode, guest host Caitlin Peters, CPO, a board-certified prosthetist and orthotic resident at Shriners Hospital for Children in Greenville, SC, sits down with Shree Thaker, Director of Communications and Partnerships at the Amputee Coalition. Together, they explore the Coalition’s powerful evolution—from a grassroots peer support group to…
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Limb Preservation Foundation - Hope Beyond Limits 2025 - PART 1
1:02:56
1:02:56
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1:02:56Recorded live at the 2025 Limb Preservation Foundation Symposium in Golden Colorado, this is Part 1 of a powerful two-part AMP’D UP211 series that captures the energy, advocacy, and innovation driving the future of limb loss and limb preservation. Hosted by amputee and podcast creator Rick Bontkowski, this special episode puts you in the room with …
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In this episode, recorded live at the 51st Academy Annual Meeting and Scientific Symposium in Atlanta, host Seth O'Brien, CP, FAAOP(D), sits down with Tara Wright, CPO, FAAOP, a prosthetist-orthotist at Gillette Children's Specialty Healthcare in St Paul, Minnesota. Together, they dive into the evolving role of additive manufacturing in orthotics a…
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What does it take to change a life with the gift of mobility? In this inspiring episode of The AMP’D UP211 Podcast, host Rick Bontkowski, a right below-knee amputee, and passionate advocate, sits down with Randy Titony, Executive Director of the Limbs for Life Foundation. Randy shares the powerful story behind Limbs for Life’s mission to provide pr…
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In this episode of O&P Rising, recorded live at the 51st Academy Annual Meeting & Scientific Symposium in Atlanta, host Abbey Senczyszyn, CPO, of Bremer Prosthetic Design, chats with Adrienne Hill, CPO, LPO, FAAOP, program director of Kennesaw State's O&P Master's Program. Together, they explore the vital role of mentorship, personal branding, and …
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Meet Jason Barnes, the drummer who defied the odds after losing his arm in an accident. He didn’t just return to drumming… he revolutionized it. With the help of cutting-edge robotics and pure grit, Jason now plays with a bionic arm and is pushing the boundaries of human potential. In honor of Limb Loss Awareness Month, this episode isn’t just abou…
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Elevating Excellence: The Value of the Academy’s Fellow Designation
29:22
29:22
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29:22In this episode, host Seth O'Brien, CP, FAAOP(D), sits down with Keith Smith, CO, LO, FAAOP, and David Wilson, MPO, CPO, LPO, FAAOP, to discuss the value of the Academy’s Fellow designation. Together, they explore why this credential matters, not just for individual recognition, but for advancing the entire O&P profession. From the history and purp…
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In this episode of O&P Clinical Care Insiders: Industry Partners Edition, host Seth O'Brien, CP, FAAOP(D), speaks with Lindsay E. Ryback, director of lymphology & phlebology at Thuasne, and Lesleigh Sisson, CFo, CFm, vice president and general manager of O&P Insight. Recorded live at the 51st Academy Annual Meeting in Atlanta, the conversation expl…
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Barbering, Business, and Beating the Odds - Travis Sanders
42:55
42:55
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42:55What happens when life throws you a challenge that changes everything? For Travis Sanders, losing his leg wasn’t the end but the beginning of a powerful new chapter. In this episode of The AMP’D UP211 Podcast, Travis shares his resilience journey, from learning to navigate life as an amputee to thriving as a master barber, business owner, and mento…
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In this episode of O&P Rising, recorded live at the 51st Academy Annual Meeting & Scientific Symposium in Atlanta, host Kaleigh Neely, CPO, chats with Sheryl Sachs, CPO, of Dankmeyer Prosthetics & Orthotics. They explore the critical role of advocacy in the O&P profession, Sheryl’s journey into policy work, and why young professionals should get in…
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Comedy, Cancer, and Kicking Ass – Woody Roseland Speaks
52:32
52:32
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52:32On this episode of The AMP'D UP211 Podcast, host Rick Bontkowski, a right below-the-knee (RBK) amputee, sits down with the unstoppable Woody Roseland. From surviving cancer six times to turning pain into punchlines, Woody has redefined resilience with humor, hustle, and an unbreakable spirit. How did he go from battling cancer to commanding stages …
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Growth, Community Engagement, and the Impact of the O&P Foundation: A Conversation with Fanny Schultea
23:50
23:50
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23:50In this episode, recorded live at the 51st Academy Annual Meeting and Scientific Symposium in Atlanta, host Seth O'Brien, CP, FAAOP(D), sits down with Fanny Schultea, MS, MSED, CPO/L, FAAOP(D), executive director of the Orthotics and Prosthetics Foundation for Education and Research. They dive into the remarkable growth of the O&P Foundation over t…
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In this episode, guest host Denise Hull, CPO, a newly certified prosthetist/orthotist at Wheeler O&P, chats with Gerry Stark, PhD, CPO/L, FAAOP(D), director of clinical and technical operations for BionIT Labs and president-elect of the American Academy of Orthotists and Prosthetists. With over 30 years in the field, Gerry shares invaluable insight…
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Pain Science, Assessment, and the Future of Patient Care: A Conversation with Samantha Stauffer
28:53
28:53
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28:53In this episode, host Seth O'Brien, CP, FAAOP(D), sits down with Samantha Stauffer, MSOP, CPO, FAAOP, director of research at Independence Prosthetics-Orthotics, to discuss her groundbreaking research on pain and performance in post-amputation patients, featured as a Thranhardt Lecture Award at the 51st Academy Annual Meeting. Samantha shares her j…
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In this episode, guest host Amani Weekes-Daniel, a board-eligible prosthetist/orthotist at Active Life in Los Angeles, sits down with Leigh Davis, MSPO, CPO, LPO, FAAOP(D), from Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, to explore the vital role of mentorship in the O&P profession. Together, they discuss how persistence, goal setting, and consistent commun…
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Mistakes, Clinical Insights, and the Pursuit of Excellence in Prosthetic Care: A Conversation with Dr. Gerald Stark
28:54
28:54
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28:54In our season 3 premiere episode, host Seth O'Brien, CP, FAAOP(D), talks with Gerald Stark, PhD, MSEM, CPO/L FAAOP(D), a certified prosthetist orthotist and director of clinical and technical operations for BionIT Labs. They discuss the importance of learning from mistakes for continual improvement in clinical care. Dr. Stark outlines five common e…
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In the inaugural episode of our quarterly podcast, O&P Clinical Care Insiders: Industry Partners Edition, host Seth O'Brien, CP, FAAOP(D), chats with Jonathan Taylor, director of clinical development and education at Spinal Technology. They explore the complexities of scoliosis bracing, comparing various brace types. Taylor emphasizes the lack of a…
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In this episode, Anna Cook, an orthotic and prosthetic resident at Gillette Children's Specialty Healthcare in St. Paul, Minnesota, takes on hosting duties. She’s joined by Steve Fletcher, CPO, Director of Professional Credentialing for the American Board for Certification in Orthotics, Prosthetics & Pedorthics, Inc., to discuss ABC's move to requi…
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Technicians, Workforce Development, and the Future of O&P Craftsmanship: A Conversation with Mike Madden
32:14
32:14
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32:14In this episode, host Seth O'Brien, CP, FAAOP(D), talks with Mike Madden, CPO, FAAOP, about the often-overlooked role of technicians in O&P. Together, they explore the significance of technical expertise, strategies for effective workforce development, and ways to attract and retain skilled talent. Madden delves into the creative and essential natu…
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ADVERSITY, ADVENTURE, AND ARMOUR William Pike
59:01
59:01
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59:01What does it take to turn unimaginable adversity into an extraordinary life of purpose? In this compelling episode of The AMP'D UP211 Podcast, host and creator Rick Bontkowski, a passionate advocate and amputee himself, dives deep into the incredible journey of William Pike. From surviving the catastrophic Mount Ruapehu eruption to losing his right…
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In this episode, Cassandra Delgado, CPO, an early career orthotist-prosthetist and Clinical Director at Prosthetic & Orthotic Associates in Middletown, NY, takes on hosting duties. She’s joined by Maggie Baumer, Leader of Enterprise Patient Advocacy at Hanger Clinic, and Dr. Chad Duncan, Orthotics and Prosthetics Program Director at Drexel Universi…
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In this gripping episode of The AMP'D UP211 Podcast, host and creator Rick Bontkowski sits down with Eric LeMarque, a former professional hockey player and snowboarder who endured the unimaginable. Trapped in the frozen Sierra Nevada Mountains for eight days, Eric fought against brutal conditions, isolation, and his own inner battles in a journey t…
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Diabetic Foot Health, Orthotic Interventions, and the Role of Collaborative Care: A Converation with Dr. Rory Gilhooly
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29:05
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29:05In this episode, host Seth O'Brien, CP, FAAOP(D), talks with Dr. Rory Gilhooly, a podiatric physician at Community Podiatry Group in Flint, MI, about diabetic foot health in O&P care. They discuss orthotic interventions for diabetic foot management, highlighting the importance of carefully monitoring inserts and footwear to prevent complications. D…
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MISSION, MUSIC, MOBILITY Billy Brimblecom
59:43
59:43
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59:43Get ready for an unforgettable episode of The AMP'D UP211 Podcast! Join host and creator Rick Bontkowski, a right-leg amputee and passionate advocate, as he sits down with Billy Brimblecom Jr., an unstoppable force in the limb loss community. After losing his left leg to Ewing’s Sarcoma, Billy turned his story into a mission – empowering uninsured …
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In this episode, we continue the conversation with Kaleigh Neely, CPO of the P&O Group, and Abbey Senczyszyn, CPO of Bremer Prosthetic Design, joined by Nate Kapa, CP and president of Bremer Prosthetic Design. Together, they explore the challenges O&P residents face and the support systems that are crucial to their success. Highlighting the residen…
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WHEN COSI TALKS, HEALING BEGINS Cosi Belloso
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51:51
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51:51In this inspiring episode of The AMP'D UP211 Podcast, host Rick Bontkowski, a right below-the-knee (RBK) amputee, sits down with Cosi Belloso, a renowned physical therapist and breast cancer survivor, with over 23 years of experience helping amputees regain their mobility and rebuild their lives. Cosi, who runs her own outpatient clinic, Palanca, I…
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