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Mandy Myers has always kept an eye on the horizon, and by doing so has found her right road, to paraphrase Dag Hammarskjold. Myers' path began in high school, where she was involved with a club that provided her the opportunity to work with physically and mentally challenged students at her school. Inspired by the students' positive attitudes, Myers knew she wanted to pursue a career in which she "could help and serve people." However, it wasn't until she was completing her bachelor of science degree in mechanical engineering at Northern Arizona University (NAU), Flagstaff, that Myers discovered her right road. Myers' faculty advisor gave her an article about the C-Leg®, and she was instantly intrigued.
1. How has your career progressed?
After NAU, I attended a prosthetic certification program in California and completed a one-year residency in Arizona. I have also had the opportunity to work for the "big guys" and then a smaller facility when I moved to Colorado Springs, Colorado, in 2005, after receiving my ABC certification in prosthetics. After moving to Colorado, I attended a training course on the Trulife Radiant Impressions custom breast prosthesis; it was an area in which I had interest but no prior experience. The course was awesome, and I became a CFm. Then, in January 2007, I started Horizon Prosthetics. I was also recently certified by Otto Bock to fit its new Helix® hip joint, making me the first and only Colorado prosthetist able to fit this device.
2. Please describe what your company does.
Horizon Prosthetics specializes in prosthetic services only. Our services include artificial limbs—both upper- and lower-extremity—silicone restorations, compression garments, and a full range of mastectomy products. Horizon employs two full-time certified prosthetists, me and Joel Schulz, CP, who has a great deal of experience with upper-extremity prosthetics. Joel is trained to fit myoelectric prostheses including the Dynamic Arm, and was also one of the first U.S. prosthetists to fit the i-LIMB™ hand.
3. Please describe your approach to patient care.
I believe it is important that our clients understand the entire process of their prosthetic care, from design to insurance. To that extent, I encourage patients to participate in the design of their device and to take ownership of their care. Plain and simple, we treat our clients the way we would want to be treated.
4. What emerging trends or exciting advances do your see for your field?
All the new technology for upper-extremity prosthetics is very exciting. Nanotechnology, new materials, and innovative surgeries like TMR [targeted muscle reinnervation] are advancing prosthetics to a whole new level. Socket designs are also moving further from traditional designs, and prosthetists are thinking more "outside of the box" to accommodate for the new technologies.
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5. How would you advise someone just entering the profession or starting his or her own business?
It is a rewarding but challenging career. One thing is for sure, no two days as an O&P professional will ever be the same. As far as starting your own business, think twice. If your second thought is still yes, read Dave Ramsey's Total Money Makeover, write a good business plan, consider having a business partner, and if you are married, make sure your marriage is strong.
