Meet the Mary Free Bed Prosthetics Treatment Team
Injuries and disease impact people in various ways — physically, socially, psychologically and even spiritually. At Mary Free Bed, our approach is to integrate patient treatment to achieve the most independence possible. Depending on the patient’s specific condition, some or all of the following professionals may be a part of his or her care at Mary Free Bed.
Certified Prosthetist (CP)
Evaluates the patient for the prescribed prosthesis
Designs and fabricates the appropriate prosthesis
Manages patient treatment by fitting and adjusting the prosthesis for comfort
Prosthetics Technician
Fabricates and repairs prosthetic devices to be fit by a certified prosthetist
Physiatrist (pronounced fizz-i-a-trist)
Physician specializing in rehabilitation medicine
Manages the treatment of each patient and coordinates the work of other professionals on the therapy team
Rehabilitation Nurse
Evaluates and monitors each patient
Develops care plans
Focuses on patient’s self care, comfort, and education
Physical Therapist (PT)
Evaluates patient’s balance, mobility, strength, and muscle function
Provides physical training and teaches techniques for everyday functioning
Occupational Therapist (OT)
Teaches techniques and skills for eating and drinking, dressing, toileting, bathing, hygiene, shopping, and laundry
Helps with fitting and customizing special adaptive equipment
Prosthetics Staff
Mark Bennett, CPO
Mark is a prosthetist on the Mary Free Bed Orthotics & Prosthetics team. He came to Mary Free Bed in the mid 1980s and began working for O&P in 1987. Mark's specialties are: ischial containment (AK) trans-femoral; silicone total surface bearing sockets (BK) trans-tibial; and pediatric prosthetics. Mark also is the attending prosthetist for the Center for Limb Differences Pediatric Prosthetics Clinic. He has a degree in orthotics and prosthetics from Florida International University. Mark is certified by the American Board of Certification and is a member of the American Academy of Orthotists and Prosthetists.
David Firlik, CP
As a clinical specialist on the Prosthetics team, David's specialty interests are upper extremity myoelectric fitting; upper extremity conventional body powered fitting; C-Leg (AK) trans-femoral; silicone total surface bearing sockets (BK) trans-tibial; and pediatric prosthetics. David has completed research on upper extremity prosthetics project with Grand Valley State University. He is certified by the American Board of Certification. In addition to his degree from Grand Valley State University, David has a prosthetics certificate from Northwestern University and has completed courses in the Otto Bock C-Leg, the Ohio Willowwood Silicone Liner & CAD-CAM course, and the Otto Bock upper extremity myoelectric course.
He is actively involved with the Michigan Amputee Golf Tournament and the Disabled Ski Program at Cannonsburg Ski Resort.
John King, CP, FAAOP
John King is a clinical specialist with Mary Free Bed Orthotics & Prosthetics and is the attending prosthetist for the Adult Regional Amputee Clinic. John also serves as the quality assurance coordinator for Mary Free Bed Orthotics & Prosthetics. His education includes a bachelor's degree from the University of New Hampshire; a prosthetics certificate from New York University; the Otto Bock C-Leg course; the Ohio Willowwood Silicone Liner & CAD-CAM course; and the Endo-Lite course for high technology prosthetics. John's specialty interests are ischial containment trans-femoral (AK) fitting, the C-Leg, and Omega CAD-CAM Prosthetics. He is certified by the American Board of Certification and is a fellow of the American Academy of Orthotists and Prosthetists.
Bruce Misiewicz, Registered Assistant Prosthetics
As a prosthetics technician and lab coordinator, Bruce's specialties are endoskeletal fabrication techniques; flexible socket fabrication; and C-Leg set-ups. Bruce has completed the Ohio Willowwood Silicone Liner & CAD-CAM course and the Otto Bock endoskeletel fabrication course. He is registered by the American Board of Certification and is a member of the American Academy of Orthotists and Prosthetists.
Patrick Nimphie, CPO, FAAOP
Patrick is the Mary Free Bed Prosthetics clinical manager. He specializes in ischial containment trans-femoral (AK) fitting; C-Leg; MAS socket design; Omega CAD-CAM prosthetics; and MAS socket design. He is the attending prosthetist for the Center for Limb Differences Pediatric Prosthetics Clinic and the attending prosthetist for the Veterans Administration Clinic in Battle Creek. His education includes a degree from Central Michigan University; a prosthetics certificate from Northwestern University; a certificate in orthotics from the US Army Academy of Health Sciences; the Otto Bock C-Leg course; the Ohio Willowwood Silicone Liner & CAD-CAM course; the Endo-Lite course for high-technology prosthetics; and the vacuum-assisted socket course (Harmony System from Otto Bock). Patrick is the residency director for the National Commission on Orthotic and Prosthetic Education (NCOPE); certified by the American Board of Certification; and a fellow of the American Academy of Orthotists and Prosthetists.