Kevin Carroll, CP, FAAOP, vice president of Prosthetics for Hanger Orthopedic Group, Bethesda, Maryland, has been chosen from a select group of international prosthetic experts to help develop a prosthetic tail for Winter, a dolphin who lost her tail fluke following an injury. Carroll's appointment was announced by the Clearwater Marine Aquarium, Clearwater, Florida, at a press conference April 20.
Winter, an 18-month-old Atlantic bottlenose dolphin, was stranded near Cape Canaveral, Florida, in December 2005, after being caught in a crab trap. Her tail fluke eventually came off, as it was severely damaged by the trap's rope entanglement. After being transferred to Clearwater Marine Aquarium, Winter received round-the-clock medical attention in an effort to save her life. She survived and then adapted to a less efficient and potentially damaging side-to-side swimming style, as there was no tail fluke to give her thrust.
Carroll brings to the task nearly 30 years experience as a practicing clinician, researcher, and educator. Carroll is the co-developer of the patented Hanger ComfortFlexTM Socket System and travels daily treating the most difficult amputations nationwide. He has appeared nationally and internationally on news broadcasts such as Dateline, 20/20, and the Discovery Channel.
"I am honored to be selected by the Clearwater Marine Aquarium for this unique patient case," Carroll said. "Winter is an amazing animal with an inspirational story of overcoming adversity. Her story echoes the spirit and endurance of so many of our patients."
The consortium consists of Clearwater Marine Aquarium and Hanger Orthopedic Group Inc., and will be advised by Mike Walsh, DVM, former lead veterinarian at SeaWorld; Steve McColluch, director of Dolphin Research and Conservation at Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution; and Juli D. Goldstein, DVM and marine mammal specialist.
"This is the one of the strongest and most experienced teams I have seen in any industry," said David Yates, CEO of Clearwater Marine Aquarium. "These are the most qualified people in their respective industries. They give us a real chance at success."
Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution is one of the world's leading nonprofit oceanographic research organizations devoted to the study of the earth's oceans, estuaries, and coastal regions.
Clearwater Marine Aquarium is a Florida 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, dedicated to marine animal rescue, rehabilitation and release, and environmental education.
For more information on the Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution, visit www.HBOI.edu
For more information about the Clearwater Marine Aquarium and Winter, visit www.SeeWinter.com
For more information about Hanger Orthopedic Group, visit www.hanger.com
