Alyssa has a background in fabrication and art from her time in the Hollywood Effects Industry (one can look her up on IMDB).  After making fake limbs for movies, she decided it may be more fulfilling to make fake limbs for people, so she began her educational journey into Orthotics and Prosthetics.  She researched technical schools, of which there are few, and decided the best and most historied option was in Minnesota.

Alyssa started with the technical education and attained an Associate of Applied Science in Orthotic Technology 2010, and an Associate of Applied Science in Prosthetic technology 2011 from Century College in Whitebear Lake, MN.

During Alyssa’s technical education she discovered an aptitude for learning and liked the challenge that clinical work provides. She decided to pursue a Bachelors of Science in Exercise Science and Kinesiology with a focus in Orthotics and Prosthetics.  She graduated Magna Cum Laude from Concordia University St. Paul, MN 2014. Alyssa returned for a Clinical Assistance program at Century college and received a diploma in 2015.

While Alyssa was in school, she worked for the Orthotic and Prosthetic department as a student worker and then was later hired by the state as a teacher’s assistant for the same department. She was responsible for helping to redesign the current practitioner program at Century College and helped rewrite much of the curriculum.

Alyssa did clinical hours for her OPCA diploma at Winkley Orthotics and Prosthetics. They liked her, her work ethic, hand skills and clinical perception so much they hired her. While at Winkley Alyssa earned her Certified Orthotic Fitter credential, BOC 2015 and her Certified Orthotic Assistant credential, ABC 2016.

Alyssa focused on spine and lower extremity and has treated all ages. She was fortunate to see patients from the initial onset of trauma or pathology, through surgeries and rehabilitation into long term orthotic care. She has always enjoyed working closely with other healthcare professionals on integrated patient care and appreciates a holistic approach.

 “I never pictured myself in the hospital setting and here I was being asked what do I do best with? Blood, puke or poop? Excuse me I said? And thus began my hospital experience! I had the Privilege to work at two trauma level one facilities. Intense but incredible training and experience. Not many get to see patients from the beginning/ genesis to long term care. The whole arch. The good and the bad and so much in between. Each had their own flavor and I have the upmost respect and esteem for both hospitals and especially the neurosurgical and orthopedic teams I had the privilege to work with and learn from. Some of the best of the best of the country.  And kudos to nurses as they are our partners in the trenches as well as the rest of the integrative hospital team. I have incredible respect for my fellow clinicians as we try to work together to manage and facilitate our patients access to normal ADLs and beyond. Life is rough but I like to think we help make it as manageable as possible.”

Quality of patient care, as well as quality of orthotic design and execution of fabrication is essential and central to Alyssa’s work philosophy. She enjoys work as part of a team but loves autonomy.

Outside of work, Alyssa likes animals (especially kitties), plants, humor, art, architecture, culture, music and food. She is a nerd of myriad subjects.