Specialists in Pediatric Orthotics & Prosthetics

Leadership

Bryan Malas, MHPE, CO

Bryan is the current director of the Department of Orthotics/Prosthetics Department and Moira Tobin Wickes Orthotics Program at Lurie Children's and Associate Professor at Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine. He received his orthotics training at Northwestern University and his Master’s in Health Profession Education from the University of Illinois Chicago. Prior to his current position, he was Director of Orthotic Education at Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine. While serving in that capacity, he practiced clinically at Ballert Orthopedic and later at the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago (now Shirley Ryan AbilityLab). Bryan is past president of the American Academy of Orthotists and Prosthetists (AAOP) Midwest Chapter, former chair of the National Commission on Orthotic and Prosthetic Education (NCOPE) as well as former chair of the ISPO Education Committee. He previously served on the Executive Board of ISPO and is the current Task Officer for ISPO. His clinical focus includes spinal, lower limb, brachial plexus and the effects of orthotic management on patient cognition.

 

Andy Bohner, BOCO, LO

Andy is the current manager of the Department of Orthotics/Prosthetics Department and Moira Tobin Wickes Orthotics Program at Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago. He has 40 years of experience in the field, beginning as a technician prior to receiving his certification as a clinician. As the manager, he enjoys the ability to not only fabricate devices but to also see patients and assist in coordinating their care. He also oversees fabrication and coordination of orthotic and prosthetic devices to satellite locations and is an intermediate between the technical side of orthotics and prosthetics and clinical care. He has special interests in attending conferences for continuing education.

Staff

Breanna Baltrusch, CPO, LPO

Breanna is a board-certified prosthetist-orthotist. She holds and an undergraduate degree in Kinesiology from the University of Illinois at Chicago and is a graduate of Northwestern University's Prosthetic-Orthotic program. She completed her orthotic residency at Connecticut Children's Medical Center in Hartford, Connecticut and went on to complete her Prosthetic residency at Hanger Clinic in New York City. She has worked throughout the country with exposure to a wide array of diagnoses and patient demographics. She holds a strong passion for pediatric prosthetics and is motivated by the ability to improve a patient’s independence and quality of life.

Sara Beyler, CO, LO

Sara has been treating patients at Lurie Children's since 2009. She spends much of her clinical time in the outpatient setting, contributing to several clinic environments focused on multidisciplinary care. Her clinical focuses are treating patients with myelomeningocele and various forms of muscular dystrophy from infancy into young adulthood.  Sara evaluates for total body orthotic needs including cranial remolding orthoses, spinal orthoses, upper extremity functional splinting, and lower extremity orthoses and emphasizes the importance of continuous care as their needs may change.  She is passionate about connecting her patients with sports and recreational programming outside of the clinical setting and providing them with a supportive, holistic treatment plan. 

Martin W. Buckner, CPO, LPO

Martin joins the Lurie Children's team with over twenty years’ experience in prosthetics and orthotics and currently splits his day between clinical practice and lecturing at Northwestern University’s Prosthetic & Orthotic Clinical Center. His emphasis is service to patients, families and future clinicians. Martin works to create powerful solutions to unique and complicated situations that help patients and families manage and overcome their challenges. Working within the Lurie Children's team approach as an advocate and serving the patient and family is a focus of Martin's clinical practice.

Erin Claussen, CO, LO

Erin is a graduate from Luther College with a bachelor’s degree in biology. She worked at a medical software company for six years before earning her master’s in prosthetics and orthotics from the University of Washington. Erin completed her orthotics residency at Lurie Children’s in 2017, where she continues to practice as a licensed and certified orthotist. Her special interests include surgical and non-surgical head shape management, pectus carinatum, clubfoot, and idiopathic toe walking.

Brigid Driscoll, CO, LO, PT, DPT

Brigid is a Clinical Coordinator/Orthotist II and physical therapist at Lurie Children's. Brigid is a 1995 graduate of Marquette University's physical therapy program, and a 2001 graduate of the Northwestern University Prosthetic-Orthotics Center. She has been a member of the Lurie Children's (formerly Children’s Memorial Hospital) Division of Rehabilitation since 1997. Brigid is the coordinator of the Division of Rehabilitation’s multi-disciplinary serial casting program and a member of the Rehab Education Council. She enjoys participating in education training for staff and residents, as well as guest lecturing at Northwestern University. Brigid is active in coordinating transitional care from pediatric to adult care. Her clinical focuses include serial casting, cerebral palsy, spina bifida, neuromuscular diagnoses, clubfoot, idiopathic toe walking, and caring for infants/children with developmental delays.

Matt Goddard, CO, LO, MHRM

Matt is a graduate of the Northwestern University Prosthetics-Orthotics Center. He completed his orthotics residency at Lurie Children's (formerly Children’s Memorial Hospital) and has been an orthotist at Lurie Children’s for over 17 years. He also holds a master’s degree in human resource management. Matt has special interests in orthotic management of spinal deformities, sports medicine, and general orthopedic conditions. His clinical focuses include scoliosis, spinal injuries, fracture management, and abnormalities in the foot, leg, or gait.

Sara Jerousek, CO, LO

Sara grew up in the greater Chicago region and worked in healthcare research for many years before finding the profession of orthotics and prosthetics. She quickly transitioned to clinical care when she received her master’s degree in prosthetics and orthotics from Northwestern University Prostehtics-Orthotics Center and joined the team at Lurie Children's in 2017. Her clinical interests include surgical and non-surgical head shape management, neuromuscular conditions, and scoliosis treatment.  Outside of work, she enjoys bike riding, umpiring field hockey, working with stained glass, listening to and playing music, and spending time with her family.

Sourabh Nagale, CPO, LPO

Sourabh holds a bachelor’s degree in biology and received his post-graduate training in orthotics and prosthetics from Northwestern University. He practiced prosthetics and orthotics in the private sector for a number of years before joining the team at Lurie Children's. His clinical interests include prosthetics, scoliosis, and cranial remolding orthoses. He has served on numerous boards in the prosthetic orthotic community including OPAF and ISOP. Outside of work, he enjoys bike riding, traveling, and spending time with family.

Sarah Sawers, CO, LO, MSPO

Sarah joined the orthotics team at Lurie Children's in 2015. Over the years, she has practiced in various clinical settings and locations across the United States, uncovering her niche in pediatric care. Her current areas of interest include scoliosis treatment and education, surgical head shape orthotic management, and inpatient care. Sarah is actively involved in the examination and certification of new members of the orthotics and prosthetics profession. She volunteers as an orthotics examiner as well as the Orthotics Chairperson on the Exam Development Committee for the American Board for Certification in Orthotics, Prosthetics, and Pedorthics.

Adam Zastrow, CPO, LPO

Adam received his prosthetic and orthotic education from the Northwestern University Prosthetics-Orthotics Center in 2012 and 2013. He joined the Lurie Children’s Orthotic/Prosthetic team in 2016. He holds an undergraduate degree in fine art and music. Before becoming a Prosthetist/Orthotist Adam had a long career as a fine furniture maker and designer. As a trained jazz pianist and master woodworker he is skilled with his hands and enjoys using his creative talents to provide creative solutions for unusual and challenging cases. His clinical interests include upper and lower limb prosthetics, spinal bracing for scoliosis management, cerebral palsy, spina bifida and improving the gait of children who have lower limb weakness or abnormality.

Clinical Assistant

Richard Panuncialman

Rich is a native Chicagoan with a passion for good food. He has worked in the field for 15 years and offers a unique skill set suited to bridge the gap between the technical side of orthotics and prosthetics and the clinical side. As the clinical assistant, Rich actively participates in serial casting and post-operative cast removal, the application of patient castings following surgeries, and fabricating total body splints the operating room. He acts as the coordinator of all off-site locations, monitoring levels of supplies and custom ordering for the department. He is also the Acting Safety Lead, fit tester, and point person for everything from setting up castings to keeping the lab organized, fully stocked, and functional.