Michael J. Bilkasley, LO, C-Ped, EMT-P is an ABC Certified Orthotist - Pedorthist and Licensed Orthotist in Ohio with 30 years’ experience in the field. Mike began his career in orthotics working for the Brace Shop Prosthetic Orthotic Centers (which later became part of Hanger Clinic) in Cincinnati, Ohio from 1994 – 2014. As an orthotist, Mike has consulted on numerous orthopedic and fracture braces for various NFL teams. Prior to working in orthotics, Mike worked at Providence Hospital in Cincinnati as an Orthopedic Technician before transferring to the Emergency Department. Mike is also a Paramedic and began his Fire and EMS career as a volunteer / paid on call firefighter / paramedic with the Sharonville, Ohio Fire Department and retired in 2019 as a career Fire Lieutenant and EMS officer with the Blue Ash, Ohio Fire Department with a combined service of 40 years in the field. Currently, Mike serves as a Paramedic with UC Health Air Care & Mobile Care, where he is also designated the Lead Field Paramedic for Cincinnati Bengals home games. Mike is a course facilitator in ACLS (Advanced Cardiac Life Support), PALS (Pediatric Advanced Life Support) and BLS – CPR at the Centers for Simulation and Research at Cincinnati Childrens Hospital Medical Center and is a member of the Protocol Subcommittee for Southwest Ohio Pre Hospital Care.
Mike has published the following articles for JEMS (Journal for Emergency Medical Services);
JEMS: November 9, 2023EMS Integration into the Preparation for Sports Medicine Emergencies. Co Authored with Bret Betz MD
JEMS: October 2015, Vol. 40, Issue 10; Pre-Hospital Treatment of Athletes wearing Helmet and Shoulder Pads. Co Authored with Paul Sparling M Ed, ATC
JEMS: December 1997, Vol. 22, No. 12; HALO A Ring of Potential Problems for the EMS Provider. Co Authored the article with Ted Ryder MA CO.
Personal:
Mike resides in Cincinnati with his wife Sharon. They have one son Greg Terlau, daughter in law Toni and granddaughter Andi Jeannine on the way, ETA June 13, 2024

Greg Steward, CPO, holds a Master's degree from Cal State Dominguez Hills. With over a decade of experience in the field, Greg began his journey as a clinician and has since evolved into a Key Account Clinical Education Manager with Thuasne NA , where he leverages his expertise to drive innovation and excellence in patient care.

Valerie Vastola, an accomplished Account Success Manager at CBS Medical Billing and Consulting, boasts over 25 years of extensive experience in office management software, and corporate administration, and has a profound understanding of Orthotics and Prosthetics (O&P). With a track record of excellence, Valerie excels in developing workflows, implementing processes, and delivering exceptional service to clients. Her expertise extends to Change Management, aiding clients in enhancing their operational efficiency to focus more on patient care.
Valerie's journey began with eight years at an O&P facility where she held various challenging roles spanning from office and billing management to business administration. She further honed her skills with four years of providing on-site training for specialized O&P software, impacting over 275 facilities nationwide. Followed by a decade-long tenure at a specialized EMR company where she provided education, training, and implementation in the O&P industry. Valerie’s profound understanding of business intricacies, including insurance and reimbursement, workflow processes, and electronic medical records implementation, has solidified her reputation as a trusted advisor in the healthcare industry.
Her commitment to navigating healthcare's evolving landscape and leveraging digital tools for streamlined workflows is evident in her passion for assisting her team and clients alike. Valerie's expertise, coupled with her dedication, makes her an invaluable asset to CBS Medical Billing and Consulting, where she excels in maximizing operational efficiencies and client satisfaction.
Beyond her professional endeavors, Valerie finds joy in various pursuits, travel, shopping, working out, and cherishing moments with family and friends. Residing in Liberty Twp., OH, Valerie values the flexibility of remote work, enabling her to provide unwavering support to her team and clients while maintaining a fulfilling work-life balance.

Sophia is a current prosthetics resident at Yanke Bionics in Akron, OH. She received her MSOP degree from Eastern Michigan University in 2023 where she was a graduate assistant for the O&P program. Prior to that, she attended Youngstown State University receiving a BS in Kinesiology followed by Ball State University receiving an MS in Biomechanics while working as a research and teaching graduate assistant. She currently serves as an ambassador for the WhatIsPOP initiated run by ABC and enjoys making young students aware of the O&P field.

Bob has been active in the orthotics, therapeutic exercise, and biomechanics fields since 1978, and has been conducting education programs since 1982. His special interest is in functional closed chain biomechanics and muscle function. He has taught numerous courses across North America, South America, Australia and Europe on gait assessment, rehabilitation, and orthotics. His lectures span international, national, state, and local O&P, DPT and DPM meetings. He holds six patents involving orthotics and applied biomechanics for spine and lower extremity applications.

He has served as an Invited Guest Lecturer in the Doctors of Physical Therapy program at Medical College of Ohio, the Masters of Science in O&P program at Georgia Tech University, the Associates program in O&P at Oklahoma State University, the Bachelors of Science in O&P program at College Montmorency in Montreal, Quebec, the DPT program at Texas State University in San Marcos, TX, the MSPO program at Northwestern University, Chicago, the MPO program at California State University, Dominguez Hills, CA, and at the Bachelors of Science in O&P program at Sunnybrook & Women's College Health Science Centre in Toronto, Ontario. Many of these speaking engagements have become a regular part of the curriculum at these universities. He has also been a Course Director for several Pedorthic Footwear Association sponsored educational events.

Kaleigh Neely is a board-eligible clinician in the greater Cleveland area working at Geauga Rehabilitation Engineering, where she completed her residency as their first ever resident in December. Kaleigh was the 2023 recipient of the Rusty Walker Emerging Leader Grant which provided opportunities to get involved in O&P areas outside of the clinic. Her passions in the field now include public health issues in O&P, advocacy, and prosthetics.

Founder and CEO at Aleph Innovations/Department of Mathematics Advisory Board at the Ohio State University/United Nations Millennium Fellow

As a reconstructive surgeon, I’m motivated to help patients who are dealing with challenging problems brought on by cancer or trauma. I love coming to work every day knowing I have the unique opportunity to improve each patient’s quality of life. It’s a privilege to partner with each patient and find solutions that will help them overcome their functional limitations and manage their pain.

I have a focused interest and expertise in limb restoration and advanced amputation care, having spent six years at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center working with wounded warriors and their families. This experience taught me the value of a collaborative approach to care, as complex problems often require creative and comprehensive solutions.
Following my military service, I joined The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center because of the unmatched reconstructive capability and collaborative care environment that exists here. I serve as director of Ohio State’s Orthoplastic Reconstruction and Advanced Amputation Program, as well as the Military Medicine Program.

Don Foley joined Cailor Fleming in 2005, and is principal and program specialist for the firm’s Commercial Lines Department. He brings more than 30 years of professional experience in the health care industry. From 1975 to 2000, Don worked at Foley Medical, Inc., specializing in two of its divisions: hospital supplies and equipment, and Home Medical Equipment (HME). In 1993, he became the company’s vice president. Foley Medical was a charter member of the American Association of Respiratory Therapy (AART) and the National Association of Medical Equipment Suppliers (NAMES). Since 2001, he has worked primarily in the Orthotic & Prosthetic industry, providing Property & Liability insurance, Risk Management, and consultation services. He has worked to help Cailor Fleming gain the exclusive endorsement of three out of the four main governing bodies in the O&P industry, including the American Orthotic & Prosthetic Association (AOPA), the American Board for Certification in Orthotics and Prosthetics (ABC), the Board of Certification/Accreditation (BOC), and the National Association for the Advancement of Orthotics & Prosthetics (NAAOP), as well as several chapters of the American Academy of Orthotists & Prosthetists. Don lives in Canfield with his wife and two children.
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Susi Ebersbach, MBA, is a highly regarded Healthcare Reimbursement Consultant with over two decades of experience specializing in Medicare and Commercial Payer audits, denials, and appeals. Her expertise has resulted in substantial financial recovery and compliance achievements for her clients. Notably, she excels in crafting appeals for various upper limb prosthetics, showcasing her breadth of knowledge.
In her current role as an Audits and Appeals Specialist at Prosthetic & Orthotic Associates, Inc./Handspring Rehab in Middletown, NY, Susi plays a pivotal role in securing reimbursement and ensuring compliance. Additionally, she provides coding and reimbursement support for emerging technologies as a consultant with Nutech Synergies.
Previously, as Director of Claims Management at APO Holdings, Inc./Ability Prosthetics & Orthotics in Exton, PA, Susi transformed audit and denial response strategies, enhancing understanding of HCPCS coding and pricing for advanced technologies. Her efforts in educating clinicians on documentation practices have significantly improved coverage compliance and operational efficiency.
In addition to her direct contributions, Susi has served as an adjunct faculty member in the Allied Health Division at Sinclair Community College, sharing her expertise in practice management, business development, marketing, contracting, and healthcare education.
Susi Ebersbach's career, backed by her MT(ASCP) and MBA credentials, is a testament to her dedication and impact in the healthcare reimbursement field, continuously working towards the betterment of healthcare practices and patient care outcomes with innovative reimbursement strategies and compliance guidance.

Amputee Rehabilitation Specialist: Certified Prosthetist

As Head of Business Development for Point Designs in the Central US, Paul is the clinical liaison for Prosthetists, Occupational Therapists, Hand Therapists, Hand Surgeons and patients with partial hand limb loss/difference. With over 25 years experience in the prosthetics field, Paul has connected thousands of patients with resources to improve outcomes. Paul earned his BBA in Business Administration and currently resides in Nashville TN.

Chris is a certified prosthetist and physical therapist. She attended the University of Miami where she received her master’s degree in PT. Following a few years of clinical practice, she returned to school at Northwestern University where she completed her certificate in prosthetics. Chris is an ABC certified prosthetist and licensed in the state of Florida. Her areas of interest include biomechanics, gait training, and CAD CAM technology. In addition to her duties at Ottobock, she teaches in the physical therapy program at the University of Central Florida, serves as a track and field classifier for U.S. Paralympics, and volunteers with the ABC Prosthetics Exam Committee.

Dr. Richard is a pediatric psychologist who has provided psychological consultation and care to children for almost 20 years. She completed her internship at the North Texas VA Medical Center and her fellowship at Scottish Rite Hospital for Children in Dallas, TX. She received her Masters and PsyD in Clinical Psychology at Nova Southeastern University. Dr. Richard served as Director of Psychology in Dallas, TX prior to joining NCH Behavioral Health team, specializing in Pediatric Orthopedics, in 2021.

A subject matter expert on durable medical equipment prosthetics, orthotics, and supplies assisting internal and external customers with complex inquiries.

Elisa Collingridge received her Bachelor of Science in Neuroscience from the University of Michigan. After working as an Orthotic and Prosthetic Assistant, she went on to receive her master’s degree in Prosthetics and Orthotics from Northwestern University in 2017. Elisa has always had a passion for contributing to O&P education and has given guest lectures for renowned hospital systems. With over five years of clinical practice, she now joins College Park Industries as a Clinical Education Specialist.

Katie Johnson is a licensed certified prosthetist/orthotist who covers all aspects of care for both upper and lower extremity patients at RJ Rosenberg Orthopedic Lab in Cincinnati OH. Katie earned her certificates in orthotics and prosthetics from Northwestern University; a Master of Science degree in biomedical engineering from the University of California-Davis; and a Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical and biomedical engineering from Tufts University. She is a member of the American Academy of Orthotists & Prosthetists (AAOP), the AAOP clinical content committee, the Collaborative on Inclusive Action and Engagement, and the AAOP Publications Committee Literature Update Working Group.

Mark Clary is a certified Prosthetist and Orthotist with twenty-seven years of clinical and technical experience in the profession. After working as a technician for two years, he completed his clinical training at Northwestern and Eastern Michigan University. He has provided patient care in a variety of settings, including the University of Michigan O&P Center, as well as private practices in Utah, California and Cleveland, OH. Throughout his patient care career, he served as a Mentor and Residency Director. Mark is a Past President of the Ohio Chapter of the Academy and currently serves as the Chair of the National Commission on O&P Education. He more recently moved into a role as a clinical educator and currently works for WillowWood as a Regional Educational Prosthetist.

Allison Seim (“SIMM”) is a graduate of the University of Cincinnati with a Bachelor's of Science in Biomedical Engineering as well as a graduate from Northwestern University Orthotics-Prosthetics Center with my Master’s of Science in Prosthetics and Orthotics. She is an ABC-Board Certified Prosthetist-Orthotist as well as a Fellow of the American Academy of Orthotics and Prosthetics. Her degrees have allowed her to incorporate both an engineering background and outgoing personality to focus on helping people every day. Allison has a passion for discussing topics that allow clinicians to have a better holistic experience within their environment.

CIO at Aleph Innovations/Mechanical Engineering Student at The Ohio State University/United Nations Millennium Fellowship Class of 2023/United Nations Millenium Fellowship Emerging Technologist

Director of Applied and Theoretical Computer Science at Aleph Innovations, Computer Science Engineering at the Ohio State University

Christopher Hoyt, CP, based in Denver, CO, US, is currently an Osseointegration Certified (press and screw fit) specialist at BioDesign Osseointegration bringing experience from previous roles at BioDesign, Inc., Christopher Hoyt Prosthetics and UCLA Prosthetic Education Program. Christopher Hoyt holds a 1982 - 1983 Post Graduate Certification in Prosthetics and Orthotics @ UCLA School of Medicine.