Paul Teaching at St. Pete and Geargia Tech

As part of our mission to educate the community and the profession, our staff is involved in lecturing to orthotic and prosthetic students as well as other allied health professionals. Paul is currently an adjunct faculty member of both the Georgia Institute of Technology Masters of Science program in Prosthetics and Orthotics as well as the St. Petersburg College Orthotic and Prosthetic Baccalaureate program. This fall he instructed the Georgia Tech students on casting and fitting techniques for transfemoral (above knee) prostheses, as well as proper evaluation and documentation procedures using electronic medical records software, OPIE.

OPIE Software is a new approach to practice management, built to address the challenges that we all face in today's healthcare market. OPIE was created by practicing O&P professionals and expert software developers here in Gainesville, Florida.

The St. Petersburg College students were instructed on basic electronic medical records processes in their new high tech instructional facility that allowed for interactive hands on training. Students of both institutions attend continuing education seminars that are presented by Paul through live webcasts throughout the year to keep up with new advances in the OPIE software.

CAF Triathlon

Established in 1997, the Challenged Athletes Foundation (CAF) is a unique organization that recognizes the athletic greatness inherent in all people with physical challenges and supports their athletic endeavors by providing grants for training, competition and equipment needs. It is the mission of the Challenged Athletes Foundation (http://www.challengedathletes.org/) to provide opportunities and support to people with physical disabilities so they can pursue active lifestyles through physical fitness and competitive athletics. The Challenged Athletes Foundation involvement in sports at any level increases self-esteem, encourages independence and enhances quality of life. This year, the CAF held it's 15th annual San Diego Triathlon Challenge, which is a half-Ironman distance event featuring world-class challenged athletes, professional triathletes, celebrities and other able-bodied participants on one of the most breathtaking courses in the country. Over the past thirteen years, this event has helped raise over $16 million to support thousands of challenged athletes.

Gainesville Prosthetic's very own, Sean Mello competed in the event this year. Sean is a 42 year-old veteran who in May 2003 was injured at a military training event on the water that lead to his right transtibial amputation. Prior to his accident, he was an active person who enjoyed running, biking and diving amongst other activities. Following his accident, Sean began running again with the aid of a prosthesis designed for running. In 2007, the idea of biking again began to surface in Sean with it culminating after a September 2008 meeting with the Florida chapter of CAF. Here, Sean was told about the San Diego Triathlon Challenge to be held on Sunday, October 26, 2008. Shortly after his meeting, Sean was introduced to a member of the Operation Rebound group. Operation Rebound provides unparalleled sports opportunities and support to our troops and veterans of any branch of service and first responders who have suffered permanent physical injuries in the line of duty. With only 5 weeks to go before the triathlon and a bike from Operation Rebound, Sean formed a team for the relay triathlon, in which he would be competing in the bicycling portion of the race. After finishing the 56.2 mile bike race in 3 hours and 34 minutes, Sean affirmed he was hooked on bicycling! Gainesville Prosthetics is very proud of Sean and his many accomplishments and will be supporting him as he trains for the St. Anthony's full marathon in St. Petersburg, Florida on April 26, 2009. When asked what was next for Sean, he revealed his vision to be in the Hawaii Ironman in four years.

Camp No Limits

Over the weekend of November 22-23, 2008, a camp for children with amputations was held in Live Oak, Florida, called Camp No Limits. The vision of Camp No Limits is to be the leading camp for young people with limb loss, and their families, in the United States and abroad and to be recognized for camper satisfaction, amputee education, peer support and age specific physical, recreational and social skill development. At this time there is no other camp available for children with limb loss and their families with the therapeutic programs that Camp No Limits has to offer. Camp No Limits has developed a daily schedule of programs and events that are offered to campers and their families. Event opportunities vary depending on the camp location and season. Camp No Limits offers four programs in their daily schedule. These include Education and Therapy, Sports and Recreation, Creative Arts and Music, and Evening Programs. Paul E Prusakowski and DeAnna M Clough both attended as volunteers to help out at the camp. A good time was had by all as the children enjoyed arts and crafts, kickball, tennis, baseball and many other outdoor adventures. For more information about this camp which is held in 5 locations throughout the United States, please visit their website at http://www.nolimitsfoundation.org/.

Gainesville Prosthetics sponsors UF Physical Therapy 5K

The 6^th Annual UF Student Physical Therapy Association Turkey Trot 5K Fun Run was held on Sunday, November 9th on the University of Florida campus. Gainesville Prosthetics was the lead sponsor for the event, and brought out a team of 12 runners and walkers to compete. Three members of the Gainesville Prosthetics team received medals for finishing first in their respective age divisions, but more importantly, it was a beautiful morning and a great time was had by all!

The funds raised at the event will support the Student Physical Therapy Association's Nicaragua Project.

Welcome DeAnna M. Clough, MSPO, CO, LO

Gainesville Prosthetics is expanding! DeAnna M. Clough, MSPO, CO joined our team on November 3rd, 2008 and is currently accepting new patients. DeAnna brings a wealth of knowledge and experience in the provision of orthotic and prosthetic care, specializing in scoliosis management, advanced lower extremity orthotics, and amputee rehabilitation.

DeAnna is one of only a handful of people nationwide who has a Masters level education in orthotics & prosthetics. Prior to joining Gainesville Prosthetics, DeAnna received her Bachelors of Science decree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Illinois and her Masters of Science in Prosthetic and Orthotics from the Georgia Institute of Technology. Following her 2 year residency in Orthotics & Prosthetics at the University of Alabama - Birmingham, DeAnna became certified as an orthotist by the American Board for Certification in O&P and will be completing her prosthetic board exams in early 2009.

Using this strong academic background, she will be involved in the development of outcome studies that will be integrated into our treatment regime. These studies will reach beyond our own practice and community. Through the orthotic & prosthetic software that was developed by our sister company, O&P Digital Technologies, we will be gathering standardized data from more than 100 O&P practices and using that data to improve the care provided by our entire profession, starting right here in Gainesville.