Our Össur Academy team has a strong professional commitment to render the best possible services to our customers. Comprised of well educated professionals, all team members are dedicated to the goals of the Össur Academy: "To further the level of education and quality of prosthetic and orthopedic knowledge among professionals, patients and their families".
For more information on the team, see information below:
Brad Scott, CP
Brad Scott,a resident of Southwestern PA, started his Prsuruthetic career in Sports Medicine at California University of PA. In 2001, he was introduced to the prosthetic profession as a certified pedorthist at Anatomical Designs in Uniontown, PA. After completing his prosthetic schooling at Northwestern University in 2003,he did his residency at Anatomical Designs. There, he worked as a Certified Prosthetist , Director of Clinical Services, and NCOPE resident assistant director until 2011, when he joined the Össur Academy.
Brad is proficient in elevated negative pressure socket systems, several different types of microprocessor-controlled knees, myoelectrics and bionics. Through his diverse range of patient management and vast clinical experience, he specializes in gait pathomechanics and prosthetic alignment techniques. Brad is also a husband and proud father of two children.
Chris Doerger, PT, LP
Chris graduated from University of Miami’s physical therapy program with a master’s degree in 2001. She attended Northwestern University’s prosthetics program in 2005. Her clinical background includes treatment of amputation injuries, orthopedic injuries, and trauma and burn care. She has also been an adjunct instructor at the University of Central Florida’s physical therapy program since 2009.
Coryn Reich, CP
Coryn is an ABC certified Prosthetist who graduated from Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville with a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering. She began her career as a technician for Hanger Prosthetics and Orthotics in St. Louis, MO. She then relocated to Southern California where she attended California State University Dominguez Hills Prosthetics Program. She has worked for Hanger Prosthetics and Orthotics in Southern California as a clinical Prosthetist for the past 5 years. She joined Össur in 2011 as Techinical Support Specialist.
Francois Van Der Watt, CPO
Francois, a native from South Africa, graduated from the Technikon Pretoria in 1996 with a National Diploma in Medical Orthotics and Prosthetics. He moved to the USA in 2002 and received his ABC certification in 2004. Prior to joining Össur Americas as Regional Clinical Manager for the Central region in 2006, he worked as clinical Prosthetist/Orthotist and Practice Manager for Hanger O&P in Southeast Georgia. He currently resides in Southeast Texas.
Justin Pratt, CP
Justin began his career in 1994 after completing a P&O technical program in Pittsburgh, PA. He worked as a technician for 3 years in New Jersey and Pennsylvania. For the next 6 years he was practicing as a Practitioner’s Assistant initially with Tidewater Prosthetic Center of Norfolk, VA, then with Progressive Prosthetic & Orthopedics of Virginia Beach, VA. During his time at Progressive Prosthetics, he pursued his certification with ABC. Acquiring CP status in 2004, Justin continued as a certified prosthetist with Progressive Prosthetics until recently joining Össur as a Regional Clinical Manager.
Throughout his career, he has worked with a patient population that was very diverse and dynamic. He provided treatment to a population ranging from children, active adults, athletes, geriatrics and members of the US military’s Special Warfare units. He joins Össur with a vast knowledge of products, fabrication techniques and unique approaches to patient management.
Kurt Gruben, MSBE, CPO
Kurt is an ABC Certified Prosthetist Orthotist who graduated from the University of Illinois in1992 with a degree in Mechanical Engineering. In 1993, he received his MS degree in Biomedical Engineering from the University of Iowa. He completed the Northwestern University Program in Orthotics in 1995 and the Northwestern University Prosthetics Program in 1996. Kurt joined American Prosthetics and Orthotics as a clinical prosthetist/orthotist in 1994 and continued his clinical work at Wisconsin Prosthetics and Orthotics in 2002.
Kurt joined Össur Americas as a Regional Clinical Manager of the Northeast Region in 2005, and recently (2010) has transitioned into the role of National Clinical Manager for Bionics. A native of northern Illinois, he currently resides in Sheboygan, Wisconsin, with his wife and three children.
Todd Schweizer, CPO
Todd Graduated from Iowa State University in Health Education and Athletic Training. He provided Corporate Health Education and training prior to completing his Prosthetic and Orthotics training at Century College in 1996. Practicing with American Prosthetic, Hanger Orthopedic Group and his own private practice Todd has served amputees and orthotic users Des Moines, Iowa where he resides with his wife and two kids for fifteen years. Todd joined Össur Americas in December of 2010 as Regional Clinical Manager for the Central region.
David Mitchell, CPO
David practiced for fifteen years before joining Össur, Inc. He received his undergraduate degree from the University of Delaware, and his post graduate certificate in Orthotics from Northwestern University in 1997. He received his Prosthetics certification in 2005, and he is certified by the American Board of Certification in Prosthetics and Orthotics, and is also licensed in the state of Georgia. He enjoys hiking, reading and spending time with his family.
Scott Hedlund, CP(c)
Scott began his career in the P&O community in 1993. After working as a Technician in the Vancouver area for 3 years he entered the Clinical Prosthetics and Orthotics Program at British Columbia Institute of Technology in 1996 and became a Certified Prosthetist in 2000. Scott has been working in private practice in the Vancouver B.C. area since graduating from BCIT. He has worked with a diverse patient population with a wide variety of challenges. Scott has worked on numerous committees and working groups through his career and has served on the Board of Directors of the Canadian Board for Certification of Prosthetists and Orthotists. Though he started with Össur as a Clinical Consultant in 2010, Scott took on the position of Clinical Specialist in September 2012.
Katie Swanson, CHES, CFo: Össur Academy Manager- Bracing & Supports
Katie graduated from Western Washington University in 2001 with a Bachelor's of Science degree in Health Education. She is a Certified Health Education Specialist as well as an ABC Certified Fitter of Orthotics. Since completing her formal education, she worked as an Injury Prevention Educator for the Visiting Nurses Association and as a Patient Services Manager for the American Cancer Society of South NJ.
She joined Össur Americas as Product Specialist in 2004 and has since held various roles in Sales, Marketing & Training. She currently manages Össur Academy for Bracing & Supports. Katie resides in Seattle, WA with her husband Mitch.
Andrew Orsillo, ATC, CFo: Clinical Specialist, East Bracing & Supports
Andrew is a Certified Athletic Trainer; he received a Bachelors of Science Degree in Food and Nutrition Science from Florida State University. While at Florida State he was a member of the Athletic Training Staff for the 1999 National Championship Football team. Before returning to Mississippi State University to earn a Masters Degree in Sports Administration Andrew worked for Tallahassee Orthopedic and Sports Physical Therapy. Andrew has had the opportunity to work with athletes ranging from high school state champions to both MLB and NFL. He joined Össur in 2012 as a Regional Clinical Manager and currently resides in Tallahassee, FL.
Ryan Berry, ATC: Senior Clinical Specialist, Bracing & Supports
Ryan comes to the Academy after having served Össur Americas as the Wisconsin Orthopedic Territory Manager since 2008. He completed his undergraduate and graduate coursework in Kinesiology and Health Education respectively from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Ryan is a nationally certified and state Licensed Athletic Trainer who began his career with the UW Sports Medicine program in Madison-WI where he served in various outreach and senior clinical roles in the Department of Orthopedics.
After leaving the UW, Ryan founded a Safety and Medical Management Company providing contract and consulting medical services to business and industry as well as CME to medical and safety professionals. Ryan has served the profession of Athletic Training as past state and district Governmental Affairs Coordinator, and is currently the Vice-Chair of the AT Affiliated Credentialing Board at the Department of Safety and Professional Services for the State of Wisconsin. Ryan resides in Appleton Wisconsin with his wife Melissa and their two boys Hunter and Brayden.
Scott Howerton, MS, ATC: Clinical Specialist, West- Bracing & Supports
Scott graduated from San Diego State University with his Bachelor of Science degree in Kinesiology. Soon after graduating, Scott became a Certified Athletic Trainer and began his Master’s Degree while working as the Assistant Athletic Trainer of the Dallas Burn of Major League Soccer. He completed his Master of Science degree in Kinesiology from the University of North Texas. Scott worked as a Certified Athletic Trainer for seven years before beginning his sales career in 2005 and has been in the medical device industry ever since.
Scott lives in Southern California with his two amazing kids Mia (10) and Mason (8). In his spare time Scott enjoys playing golf, spending time with his kids, and going to USC football games.
John Gardner, CFo: Hospital Specialist, East Bracing & Supports
John Gardner graduated from Auburn University in 2007 with a Bachelors Degree in Exercise Science. After graduation John worked in Sales and Marketing for a medical device company in Louisville, KY. In 2009 John joined the Össur Americas team as a Regional Clinical Manager and also became a Certified Fitter of Orthotics. John has worked in many physical therapy and clinical settings throughout his career. John lives in Georgetown, Indiana with his wife Chelsea. In his free time John enjoys working out, home improvement projects, hunting, and Auburn football. War Eagle!