Setting Goals and Building Tools for Communication in Pediatric Orthotics & Prosthetics

Anne W Paré, Certified Orthotist is currently employed by Surestep, an international manufacturer of orthotic devices as a Clinical Researcher & Educator. She was the founder of Hope Orthotics, a pediatric orthotic clinical practice in the Houston area which later became Transcend O&P and is now a part of Hanger Clinics. Anne graduated from University of Texas Southwestern Allied Health Sciences School in 1993; she completed a pediatric internship at Texas Scottish Rite Hospital in Dallas in 1994. She worked as a staff orthotist at The Institute for Rehabilitation and Research (TIRR) in Houston, Texas before opening Hope Orthotics. For over 30 years, Anne has specialized in pediatrics, spinal cord, and brain injury, working closely with many therapists and healthcare professionals to provide superior service and quality care to the Greater Houston area. Anne has been active in Texas, National and International Conferences in Orthotics and Prosthetics and Pediatric Rehabilitation and has spoken about the orthotic management of the pediatric patient on many occasions. Anne’s current clinical focus is tracking outcomes in children using Surestep products, the development of new products and creating and presenting educational courses for physical and occupational therapists and orthotists for Surestep.

Brigid Driscoll, PT, DPT, CO/L is a Clinical Coordinator and Orthotist/Physical Therapist II at Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago. She has 30 years of clinical experience, primarily in pediatrics. Brigid is the coordinator of the Lurie Division of Rehabilitation’s multi-disciplinary serial casting program. She coordinates education training for staff and residents, as well as guest lecturing at Northwestern University, and speaking at medical conferences on a variety of pediatric topics. Brigid is involved in IRB approved research focused on serial casting. Her clinical concentrations include serial casting, cerebral palsy, spina bifida, neuromuscular diagnoses, clubfoot, idiopathic toe walking, and caring for infants/children with developmental delays. Brigid is a 1995 graduate of Marquette University's physical therapy program, a 2001 graduate of the Northwestern University Prosthetic-Orthotics Center, and in 2021 received her Doctor of Physical Therapy from The College of St. Scholastica.

Rob has over two decades of experience in pediatric orthotics, clinical education, and strategic healthcare management. Before completing his orthotics certification and residency at Northwestern University and Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago, Rob began his career in biomechanics and gait analysis. Over the years, he has held progressive roles from clinical orthotist to practice manager and area clinic manager, consistently driving innovation in patient care and team development. Currently, Rob is the Director of Sales at Surestep. Rob is certified by the ABC and licensed in Illinois, Iowa and Texas. Rob has taught extensively on gait analysis, orthotic decision-making, and cranial remolding across national conferences and academic institutions. His scholarly contributions include numerous peer-reviewed publications, book chapters, and scientific presentations focused on pediatric neuromuscular conditions such as cerebral palsy and spina bifida. Rob now concentrates his educational efforts on cranial remolding and pediatric lower extremity orthotic solutions.

Maggie received her Bachelor of Applied Science in Prosthetics and Orthotics from St. Petersburg College in 2012, and completed a residency with Atlanta Prosthetics and Orthotics, focused in spinal and pediatrics. She returned to Florida in 2015, and continued the focus on pediatrics and community education. While she works with orthotics of all levels, she is passionate about and has presented professionally on cranial remolding, pediatric toe walking, and tuning AFO design.