Optimus Prosthetics
Optimus Prosthetics Online
News and Notes for Medical Professionals

April, 2013
 Greetings!


Optimus Prosthetics Continues to Grow!
  
Since our last eNewsletter, we have added 3 more staff members, and our Columbus office is going strong!
    
Our continued growth is only possible because of the confidence placed in us by our patients and referral sources, so we would like to say a big "Thank You" to each of you! Everything we do reinforces our commitment to our patients and our Mission: To maximize the quality of life of our patients while building life-long relationships through kindness, courtesy, and compassion.
  
Watch for our updated and newly designed eNewsletter, coming soon!
  
If you've got any suggestions, comments, or feedback - we'd love to hear it! Call us at 937-454-1900 in Dayton, or at 614-263-LIMB (5462) in Columbus; or click here to send us an email!
  
Sincerely,
 
  
In This Issue
Gait Specialist Joins Optimus Prosthetics
Amputee Coalition Event
Congratulations Travis!
Calendar of Events
Gait Specialist
Joins Optimus Prosthetics Team

     

Prosthetic Assistant & Gait Specialist, Jim Scharf, PTA

 

My Motto is "How Can I Help?"

 

If you are around Jim Scharf for any length of time, you will be sure to hear him say those words.  That desire to help people is what led him to a career in physical therapy starting in 1988.

 

One of the first patients Jim ever saw happened to be an amputee.  He became Jim's patient because, frankly, he was a combative patient and Jim was only male therapist on staff.  This was the start of 25 years of working with amputees.

 

In the mid- to late-90's, Jim was chosen to be the PTA for an amputee clinic, giving him the chance to greatly increase his knowledge and experience working with amputees.  "Life presents you with opportunities," Jim often says.  "It might not be what you expected, but you should always investigate it."

 

Jim became familiar with Optimus Prosthetics prosthetists, John Brandt and Glenn Schober, while working at that clinic.  "I always loved getting a patient from John or Glenn," Jim says.  "They made my job easy, because I knew the prosthesis was going to fit well, and I could focus on getting the patient moving." 

 

That respect for John and Glenn, and appreciation for their work contributed to his decision to join the Optimus Prosthetics team at the beginning of this year.  Jim jokes, "You just can't say 'no' to John and Glenn!"

 

Often compared to well-known amputee rehabilitation expert, Bob Gailey, Jim's role with Optimus is that of a Prosthetic Assistant and Gait Specialist.  He is here to offer free information and expertise to therapists working with our patients.  He is available to attend therapy sessions with the patient, or offer support and guidance over the phone.

 

"My role here is very different than what I've done in the past, and I had to adjust to not having my own patient load," Jim says of his new position.  "But I've already had the opportunity to interact with many patients and therapists that I never would have seen in my clinic, which has been extremely rewarding."

 

If you are a therapist working with an Optimus Prosthetics patient, don't hesitate to contact Jim for any assistance you need, or questions you may have.  You can be sure his response to your phone call will be: "How can I help?"

 

Look for a new feature, "Jim's PT Corner," in our redesigned eNewsletter, coming soon! It will feature tips and tricks for therapists and amputees.

 

Amputee Coalition Limb-Loss Education Day a Huge Success!  
 

 

Amputee Coalition Representative, Lar'Juanette Williams and

sports celebrity, Reggie Shower

 

"Can't" just isn't in my vocabulary.

 

Those words were spoken by world-class motorcycle drag racer, Reggie Shower, before suiting up to try scuba diving for the first time. Since losing both legs below the knee at age 14, Reggie has spent his life taking on new challenges, and crashing through obstacles; and he was the key note speaker last Saturday at the Amputee Coalition's Limb Loss Education Day (LLED), sponsored by Optimus Prosthetics.

 

"We are very excited to be able to bring LLEDs to local communities and to provide them at no charge to amputees and their families," said Kendra Calhoun, president & CEO of the Amputee Coalition. "Our goal for some time has been to offer these workshops in various regions of the country for the convenience of amputees. We want to reach amputees who have not attended our National Conference, while also staying connected to our longtime friends who are regularly present at our programs."

 

 

 

LLED-Dayton featured Orthotic & Prosthetic Activities Foundation's (OPAF's) First Dive. First Dive is an outreach program that introduces the amputee population to the emotional and physical benefits of scuba diving. It is said and understood that scuba offers participants a freedom that they never thought they would feel again.

 

 

 

 

"Having the chance to do scuba diving was so exhilarating," said Vickie Koehler, Optimus Prosthetics patient and First Dive participant.  "To have actually been on the bottom of the pool, staying down there, and weaving around the floor of the pool was so thrilling, it made me forget I even had an amputated leg - all I thought about was the fact that I was doing it!!  I can't thank you enough for making this first dive happen."

  

"As soon as we saw what The Amputee Coalition had planned, we knew we wanted to be a part of it," said Beth Warren, Customer Service and Marketing Manager for Optimus Prosthetics.  "The Amputee Coalition is such an incredible resource, and Optimus is very proud and honored to have had a part in bringing this event to Dayton."

 

Introducing Adelyn Jane Barlow
  
 
  
Join us in congratulating Optimus prosthetist, Travis Barlow, and his wife, Amber, on the birth of their beautiful baby girl!  Adelyn Jane was born March 22; 7 lbs, 2 oz; 19.5 in.
CONGRATULATIONS, TRAVIS AND AMBER!
 
At Optimus, We're Here for You!
 
  
Click here to email us,
or call us at 937-454-1900 in Dayton,
or 614-263-LIMB (5462) in Columbus.  
Calendar of Events
 Upcoming CEC Courses
D = Dayton Area
C = Columbus Area
  
  #1 - Amputation & Prosthetic Overview
  
C - 4/11/2013 - Summit's Trace - 12:00

 

 

C - 4/23/2013 - Laurels of Hilliard - 12:00
  
#2 - Lower-Limb Prosthetics:  Transtibial
 
D - 4/10/2013 - Sienna Woods - 12:15
  
D - 4/18/2013 - Hillspring of Springboro - 12:00

 

C - 4/22/2013 - Columbus Rehab and Subacute Center - 12:00
  
C - 4/25/2013 - Columbus Colony Elderly Care - 12:00
  
   #4 - Lower-Limb Amputee/Prosthetic Evaluation & Outcome Measures
 
D - 4/10/2013 - Grandview Hospital - 12:00
  
D - 4/18/2013 - Beavercreek Health Center - 12:00
  
#5 - Lower-Limb Prosthetic Gait Training
  
D - 4/25/2013 - Mount Pleasant Rehab Studio - 12:00 
  
#7 - Upper-Limb Prosthetics
  
  D - 4/9/2013 - Crossroads Nursing & Rehab - 12:00

 

D - 4/26/2013 - Franklin Ridge - 11:30
Quick Links

Amputee Coalition

 

Ohio Amputee Support Groups

 

American Board for Certification


Ohio State Board of Orthotics and Prosthetics

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The American Board for Certification in Orthotics, Prosthetics & Pedorthics.
  ABC 

ABC is the national certifying and accrediting body for the orthotic and prosthetic professions. The public requires and deserves assurance that the persons providing orthotic, prosthetic, and pedorthic services and care are qualified to provide the appropriate services.

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