Thomas’ passion for the Orthotics and Prosthetics field started at a young age. His younger brother Aaron was diagnosed with a muscular dystrophy disease (charcot-marie-tooth CMT) as a child and required the use of Ankle foot orthotics (AFOs). Thomas would spend a lot of time in Orthotic and Prosthetic facilities and was fascinated by the entire process of making legs and braces. He loved to watch the fabrication process, shadow clinicians, and meet patients. As he watched his little brother progress with each AFO he knew that he could use his creativity and interest in technology to help his brother and the community get the best care possible. O&P was not only something he found interesting, but it was something he wanted to pursue as a career.
Thomas went on to receive his Master’s of Science in Prosthetics and Orthotics (MSPO) from the University of Hartford and then completed his residency in Columbia, South Carolina. After receiving his ABC certification, he worked in Monroe, North Carolina. Through the years he has adopted new technologies and applied them to his brother and all of his patients. Thomas was able to fulfill his childhood dream of giving his brother and patients of all levels the advanced orthotics and prosthetics they deserve. Using his pursuit of knowledge and technology, his brother and his patients are now more functional and have a higher quality of life than ever before. His creativity and problem solving has been the key to his success for even the most complex O&P situations. Having his brother’s connection to O&P has made Thomas care for his patients as if they were family.
For two years Thomas stepped away from the O&P field to pursue his other passion of home renovation and real estate. He was able to use his creativity and skills, but he still had the desire to help the O&P community. He decided to join the Charlotte MCOP team as the clinical manager and Certified Prosthetist/Orthotist (CPO). He returned to the field to work with a company that shares his love for technology and focuses on changing patient’s lives.
Thomas has expertise in inpatient and outpatient prosthetic care and high-level orthotic care. He has experience with advanced microprocessor technologies, Sports and adaptive prostheses, multi-limb amputees, and advanced orthotic devices. Thomas is dedicated to orthotic intervention for Charcot Marie Tooth patients and his goal is to help make MCOP a Charcot Marie Tooth Association center of excellence.
Thomas currently lives in Charlotte, NC and enjoys local breweries, restaurants, woodworking, spending time with his dogs, and having cookouts with friends. He continues to pursue his passions and improve his skills, always looking to be the best at what he loves to do.