St. Anthony's 2009 Triathlon

As the first major race on the U.S. calendar, St. Anthony's Triathlon has kicked off the triathlon season in North America for the past 26 years. On race day the athletes swim through the brisk waters of Tampa Bay, bike along glimmering waterways and quiet harbors and run through picturesque neighborhoods and past cheering spectators. This race contains the world's top professional triathletes as they compete for $60,000.

Gainesville Prosthetic's Sean Mello competed in his first Triathlon this year by finishing the St. Anthony's Triathlon in 2 hours and 28 minutes! Due to the weather, the swim portion was cancelled, but Sean was able to complete the 40K bike in 1 hour 15 minutes and the 10 K run in 1 hour 4 minutes. He finished 2nd overall in his group. We are proud of Sean and his continued efforts of supporting the Challenged Athletes Foundation to provide opportunities and support to people with physical disabilities so they can pursue active lifestyles through physical fitness and competitive athletics.

Congratulation to DeAnna on becoming a certified and licensed Prosthetist

DeAnna M. Clough, MSPO, CPO, LPO has become a certified and licensed prosthetist after passing the American Board for Certification in Orthotics, Prosthetics & Pedorthics (ABC) prosthetic exams and obtaining Florida licensure. ABC practitioner certification is awarded as an attestation of competency for the public, those who require orthotic/prosthetic services, and those in other health professions. The awarding of ABC practitioner certification provides the certified practitioner with an appropriate and meaningful recognition of professional competence. The examinations measure the candidate's knowledge of orthotics and prosthetics, their analytical and problem solving skills as well as clinical, patient management and communication skills. ABC practitioner certification is the profession's highest standards for professionals providing patient care and technical services. At Gainesville Prosthetics, we pride ourselves in being an ABC accredited facility where all of our practitioners are ABC certified prosthetist-orthotists.

Welcome Stephen B. Fletcher, CPO, LPO

Stephen B. Fletcher, CPO has recently joined Gainesville Prosthetics as a clinical prosthetist/orthotist. He has extensive experience in various practice settings, including serving as director of Shands Hospital O&P department as well as being employed as a staff prosthetist/orthotist for a mid-sized independent organization. He also has experience as Virginia Prosthetics' Residency Program Director.

Mr. Fletcher also served as chair of the initial Florida O&P licensure board. He joined the American Board for Certification in Orthotics, Prosthetics & Pedorthics (ABC) in 1993 as a volunteer orthotic examiner and eventually served on the exam committee and did a rotation as an exam auditor and site coordinator. He was selected to join the board of directors in 2002 and went on to serve as president of ABC in 2007.