YOUR TEAM

Your team at Optimus Prosthetics is here to support you every step of the way from meeting with you in the hospital to delivering your new prosthesis. There’s a reason most patients leave feeling like they are a part of our family. Read more below about the individuals working to ensure your best outcomes.

YOUR CLINICAL TEAM

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    John Brandt

    Owner, CPO, LPO
    John Brandt is an American Board Certified and Ohio Licensed prosthetist/orthotist. In 1990 he received a B.A. degree from Wright State University. He continued his education at Northwestern University and received his post-graduate certificate in Orthotics and Prosthetics. John has provided prosthetic care in the greater Dayton area for over 30 years. As a prosthetist, he enjoys working with his hands and interacting with people to provide them with care that helps them to maximize their potential. John and his wife, Kim, have been married for 34 years, spending the bulk of their married life raising their 10 children. Following the activities of their two teenagers and remaining involved in their local church keeps them busy. They travel the country often to celebrate weddings, college graduations, and births of grandchildren (7 so far). In the little free time that remains, John makes room for yardwork, woodworking, and an annual snowmobiling trip, all of which he finds incredibly relaxing.

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    Sara Goldberg

    Clinical Manager, CP, LP
    Sara Goldberg is an American Board Certified and Ohio Licensed Prosthetist. Sara earned her BS in Exercise Science and Sports Medicine from California Lutheran University and a post-graduate Certificate in Prosthetics from California State University, Dominguez Hills. Sara pursued a career in the field of prosthetics because she felt that it was the perfect combination of art and science while getting to help people. She has moved across the country 6 times as an adult and loves exploring new places. Outside of work, Sara enjoys spending time with her husband and son and their 2 dogs. She likes playing nerdy tabletop games and exploring the outdoors.

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    Mark Murka

    CP, LP
    Mark P. Murka an American Board Certified and Ohio Licensed Prosthetist. A fourth generation prosthetist, Mark laid the foundation for his career by earning his Bachelor of Arts degree at the University of Dayton, where he developed a passion for healthcare and helping others. Mark's journey continued at Northwestern University, where he earned a post-graduate Certificate in Prosthetics. One of Mark's distinctive features is his genuine dedication to working with veterans. Understanding the unique challenges they face, he has become a trusted ally in their journey to regain mobility and enhance their overall well-being. Outside of his professional life, Mark finds joy in spending quality time with his wife, son, and daughter. Mark's love for the outdoors is evident in his hobbies, where he enjoys kayaking, fishing, and golf.

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    Grant Parthasarathy

    CPO, LPO
    Grant is an American Board Certified Prosthetist and Orthotist from Texas. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Texas State University and his Master of Science in Prosthetics and Orthotics from Baylor College of Medicine in Houston. His clinical experience spans various settings, including Department of Defense (DoD) and Veterans Affairs (VA) hospitals, as well as pediatric clinics. Grant’s passion for medicine began early, shadowing in a physical rehabilitation practice and prosthetic clinic in Highschool. Outside of his professional life, he enjoys woodworking, ice hockey, softball, and outdoor activities like hiking and camping with his wife, daughter, and their two dogs.

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    Shannon Thomas

    CPO, LPO
    Shannon Thomas is an American Board Certified and Ohio Licensed Prosthetist and Orthotist with a passion for patient-centered care. She holds a B.A. in Psychology and Biology from Augustana College and earned her M.S. in Prosthetics and Orthotics from the University of Pittsburgh. She completed her residency and worked for several years in the Chicagoland area before moving to Dayton. Shannon is especially drawn to the problem-solving nature of the job, where every patient presents a unique challenge and opportunity. She is committed to making care approachable and empowering individuals to achieve their personal goals through customized support and innovative solutions. Outside of the clinic, Shannon enjoys spending time with her family, training her dog in a variety of dog sports, cooking, and going to live music concerts.

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    Jerry Wilch

    CPO/LPO
    Jerry is an American Board Certified and Ohio Licensed Prosthetist and Orthotist. He received his Bachelor of Science degree at Wilmington College in Ohio. He continued with his Orthotics and Prosthetics Certificate at Shelby State in Memphis, TN. Having been in the Prosthetic and Orthotic industry for more than 34 years, he has worked in various parts of the United States. He returned to the Cincinnati area from Houston, TX, where he was working at the VA Medical Center for over 10 years. He has a passion for helping people achieve their goals after they first receive a prosthesis. He also enjoys working with new technology as the industry has evolved over the past decades. Outside of work, he enjoys spending time with his wife, playing with his dog, tennis, mountain biking, and gym workouts.

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    Jeff Hoppe

    Clinical Assistant, PTA
    After spending several years as a Licensed Massage Therapist, Jeff decided to venture deeper into the world of healthcare. His background in manual therapy naturally led him to the Physical Therapy Program at Sinclair Community College, where he learned a little about prosthetics. After graduation, he spent 6 years working the In-Patient setting. He had the opportunity to work with many amputees learning how to live with their new devices, and Jeff found the prosthetics he worked with fascinating. This fascination eventually led him to Optimus. Outside of work, he enjoys spending time with his wife, reading, writing and playing games.

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    Jessi Cain

    Clinical Assistant, PTA
    Jessi Cain studied at Ohio University and received her bachelor's degree in Exercise Physiology. She continued her education at Washington State Community College receiving her PTA degree.  For the past 12 years, she has primarily worked in skilled nursing facilities, treating patients with a diversity of diagnoses including patients with amputations, which is where Jessi’s interest began in prosthetic preparation and application.  In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her husband and daughter, reading, watching football (Go Pack) and playing in a billiards league. 

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    Andrea Kinsinger

    PT
    Andrea Kinsinger is a licensed Physical Therapist. She received her BS in Physical Therapy in 1986 from Bowling Green State University and the Medical College of Ohio. Andrea has worked with lower extremity amputee patients throughout her career and loves coaching amputees through the process to return to an independent and active life. She also works with area therapists offering expertise and education in gait biomechanics and rehabilitation to facilitate an optimal outcome for our patients at Optimus. Outside of work, Andrea enjoys life with her husband, adult children and grandchildren bicycle touring, wilderness canoeing, cooking, gardening and mentoring high school girls.

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    Amy Yates

    LPO, CPO, and Patient Advocate
    Amy Yates is an American Board Certified and Ohio Licensed Prosthetist. She earned her BE in Exercise Science from the University of Toledo in 1990 and a post-graduate Certificate in Prosthetics in 1990 and Orthotics in 1993 from Northwestern University. Amy serves as a Practitioner Patient Advocate for the Dayton office. She is able to answer questions for our patients and their families not only from a clinical perspective but also from personal experience.

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    Becca Kuhlman

    Clinical Assistant

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    Rannel McDonald

    Clinical Assistant, PTA
    Rannel has been a PTA for 25 years working in skilled nursing and group homes for adults with developmental and physical challenges where I worked with many different diagnoses.  She thoroughly enjoys building patient relationships and helping people improve their quality of life.  When she is not working, she enjoys spending time with family, friends, the outdoors and traveling.  

YOUR EXECUTIVE AND ADMINISTRATIVE TEAM

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    Douglas Oaks

    COO

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    Beth Ney

    Director of Business Administration

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    Amanda Doolin

    Shared Services and Compliance Manager

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    Ashley Maeso

    Market Developer

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    Meka Edwards

    Authorization Specialist

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    Maribeth McClure

    Compliance Specialist

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    Casi McMahan

    Purchasing Specialist

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    Brooke McCormick

    Accounting Clerk

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    Tara Salamone

    Revenue Cycle Team Lead

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    Zach Test

    Billing Specialist

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    Lisa Poe

    Office Administrator

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    Bethany Smith

    Front Office Specialist - Dayton

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    Demetria Turner

    Front Office Specialist - Cincinnati

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    Erin Scott

    Front Office Specialist - Columbus

YOUR FABRICATION TEAM

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    Russell Hawkes

    Lab Technician

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    Nick Collinsworth

    Lab Technician

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    Jamie Stidham

    Lab Technician

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    Jon Wright

    Lab Technician