Freedom Innovations Makes Staff Moves

Kurt Collier, CP, Named VP of Clinical Services and Business Development

Maynard Carkhuff, president and chief executive officer of Freedom Innovations LLC, Irvine, California, announced the appointment of Kurt Collier, CP, as the company's vice president of clinical services and business development. Collier will direct Freedom Innovations' clinical services initiatives, which include supervision of the company's worldwide educational program as well as new product trials and evaluations. Additionally, Collier will contribute to the clinical development of the sales and customer service teams.

"It has been an honor to work with Kurt over the past 15 years," Carkhuffsaid. "His professionalism and ability to clearly communicate clinical knowledge to others is unmatched. I look forward to the contributions he will make to the industry in this new leadership role."

Collier's tenure in the prosthetics industry includes more than 15 years working with a wide variety of devices and all levels of amputation. Prior to joining Freedom Innovations as the director of clinical services in 2004, he served as the director of prosthetic services for the Orthotic Prosthetic Center (OPC), Arlington, Virginia. At OPC, Collier was involved with designing and fitting devices, as well as lectures and seminars. Before that assignment, Collier was the director of technical services for Ossur/Flex-Foot in Aliso Viejo, California, where he developed product evaluation and release processes.

Collier's past accomplishments include roles as chairman of the Amputee Coalition of America (ACA), a board member of Disabled Sports USA (DS/USA), and founder and director of Professionals Helping Amputees Train. Collier was also awarded bronze medals for the pentathlon and 400m relay in the 1996 Paralympics.

LeRoy Oddie, CP, Named Clinical Prosthetist

Wasting no time getting down to business, Collier announced that LeRoy Oddie, CP, has joined Freedom Innovations as a clinical prosthetist. Oddie will provide clinical and technical product support to customers, and he will focus on the development and presentation of clinical educational programs for the organization.

"LeRoy brings extensive experience in patient care, particularly in athletics and pediatrics," Collier said. "He has a broad knowledge of the industry, with training and technical skills that will help our customers achieve successful clinical outcomes. Further, his undeniable passion for the industry is illustrated in everything he does."

Oddie has worked in the prosthetic profession since 1997, when he attended the Pittsburgh Institute of Technology's practitioner assistant programs. He developed hand skills working as a prosthetic and orthotic technician for four years, after which he began pursuing a career in patient care. In 2004, Oddie completed a post-graduate certificate in prosthetics at California State University, Dominguez Hills. He completed his residency at Abilities Unlimited Inc., and continued practicing with this group through 2007. "Freedom Innovations allows me to apply my abilities in the patient care arena in a cutting-edge environment which is based on collaborative and caring expertise," Oddie said.