Bill is a Certified Prosthetist for Long Island O&P and he is their Insurance Appeals specialist. Bill is passionate about fighting for patients’ rights to be fitted with the highest quality prosthesis/orthosis devices.
· received his Prosthetics certificate from Newington in 1997
· completed his prosthetics residency at Alabama P&O in Montgomery, AL, in 1998
· joined Long Island O&P in 2022
· married with three children, who are usually awesome (but sometimes terrible)
· frontman of “Harmonica Bill & Marked Deck” which is basically the best blues band that ever existed
· Bill’s personal philosophy is: “I believe that an amputee’s right to be fitted with a modern, technologically advanced prosthesis is not a privilege; it is a fundamental human right. When you consider that even the best, most advanced prosthesis still doesn’t compare to an intact, healthy human leg, it is appalling that insurers call these modern prostheses “not basic” and put cost-savings ahead of amputee safety.”
· It is the moral responsibility of Orthotists and Prosthetists to champion their patients’ causes and fight for their patients’ ability to be fitted with the devices they require, not some outdated artificial leg that is essentially the same as a prosthesis from 1982.

Christopher (Topher) Everett, MD, is a vascular surgeon at University Vascular, serving patients in Watkinsville, Georgia. He joined University Vascular in 2011 and is board certified in vascular surgery and general surgery by the American Board of Surgery.

Dr. Everett is from Fort Worth, Texas. He received his undergraduate degree from Austin College and then attended medical school at the University of Texas Health Science Center in Houston. He completed general surgical training at the University of Kansas School of Medicine in Wichita, followed by a vascular surgery fellowship at Greenville Health System in South Carolina.

He is a member of the Society for Vascular Surgeons, the Georgia Society of the American College of Surgeons, the Southern Association for Vascular Surgery, and the Georgia Vascular Society.

Dr. Everett’s clinical practice encompasses all aspects of arterial and venous disease, including peripheral arterial disease, abdominal aortic aneurysms, carotid artery stenosis, and varicose veins.

In his spare time, he enjoys playing the guitar, running, and traveling with his wife, Sarah.

Clay Guynn, DO, is a Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation physician who is fellowship-trained in Sports Medicine. Dr. Guynn is an expert in the non-surgical management of various painful syndromes, both new and long-lasting, including musculoskeletal disorders, peripheral nerve disorders, sports injuries and neck/back pain.

Dr. Guynn has trained in musculoskeletal ultrasound diagnosis and ultrasound guided injections of all major joints, tendons and ligaments—including the use of corticosteroids, viscosupplemetation and regenerative medicine techniques, such as Platelet-rich plasma (PRP), stem cell injections, dextrose prolotherapy and amniofix. For lower back pain, he performs epidural steroid injections and facet injections for pain relief, and he also is trained in newer techniques, such as radiofrequency ablation for chronic knee and SI joint pain. For nerve disorders, he performs diagnostic ultrasound and electrodiagnostic studies to determine the exact location of common nerve entrapments. Additionally, he performs osteopathic manipulative therapy (OMT) for relief of acute and chronic pain. Dr. Guynn is committed to provide individually-designed rehab plans to alleviate pain and get patients of all ages returning to the activities that give them joy. He is an avid sports fan and former basketball player. He enjoys spending time with his wife, Stephanie, as well as attending sporting events, traveling, running and spending time with his goldendoodles, Rolo and Reece.

Susanne has over 25 years of experience in the healthcare profession, providing, training, consulting, management, and implementation services, for a wide range of patient care organizations, throughout the United States, Canada, and Australia. She has been with OPIE Software since 2015 and uses her experiences, education, management, and problem-solving skills, to assist every person she works with. Recently, Susanne joined OPIE’s Events and Education team, and enjoys working with and celebrating the successes of our partners in the O&P Profession.

Wayne van Halem founded The van Halem Group in 2006. The Atlanta-based firm merged with VGM Group in 2014 and Wayne currently serves as its President as they assist providers navigate complex regulatory issues including audits, appeals, enrollment issues, and compliance matters. As a CMS contractor for 10 years, he spent a majority of that time as a fraud investigator and national Appeals Director. Wayne is also a published author and well-known lecturer. He is an Accredited Healthcare Fraud Investigator through the National Health Care Anti-fraud Association (NHCAA); a Certified Fraud Examiner through the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE), and an active member of the Health Care Compliance Association (HCCA). He has served on the faculty for each of these national organizations. He also sits on the American Association for Homecare’s Regulatory Council, Medtrade’s Educational Advisory Board, Medicare DME MAC Jurisdiction D Advisory Council, Advisory Board for HME Business Magazine, and Board of Directors for Friends of Disabled Adults and Children (FODAC) and the Georgia Association of Medical Equipment Suppliers (GAMES). He has also served as an expert in various criminal and civil proceedings. Since 2006, his company has saved clients over $130 million in overpayments and denial recoveries.

Kyle Stepp (he/him) is an internationally ranked para-triathlete and adaptive athlete with a passion beyond the triathlon race course and the outdoors. As one of the only openly gay para-athletes, Kyle proudly wears multiple hats: that of a fierce competitor, a dedicated advocate for LGBTQ+ and disability rights, and a legislative advocacy champion for equitable healthcare.

Kyle is an independent consultant with a practice focusing on strategic partnerships, corporate social responsibility, inclusive marketing, and political advocacy for disability rights, LGBTQ+ rights, outdoor inclusion, and healthcare.

As a nonprofit leader & community activist, Kyle has led strategic partnerships & consulted/advised national & international nonprofit organizations such as Children's Miracle Network Hospitals, The Range of Motion Project, Outdoor F.U.T.U.R.E., So Every BODY Can Move, American Orthotic and Prosthetic Association, Amputee Coalition, Camp Enchantment, & many others.

As an elite para-triathlete, Kyle has become a notable emerging athlete after his debut on the international circuit. As a Top 15 internationally ranked para triathlete in the PTS2 men's division, Kyle represents the U.S.A. on the international World Triathlon para circuit. In 2023 Kyle became the U.S.A. National Champion in the PTS2 men's division & secured the bronze medal at the 2023 World Triathlon Para Cup in Long Beach, CA.

Kyle has worked closely as an advisor, consultant, speaker, and ambassador for brands like Cotopaxi, lululemon, Ski T.A.O.S., On, W.N.D.R. Alpine, & The North Face to advocate for disability representation and LGBTQ+ inclusion throughout their business and community ventures.

Kyle most recently led one of the nation's most comprehensive legislative reforms for the disability community through N.M. House Bill 131, which prohibited insurance companies from discriminating based on disability and created equitable and life-changing access to orthotic and prosthetic care necessary for physical activity for individuals with limb loss and limb difference.

After the legislative victory in New Mexico, Kyle has helped consult the national So Every BODY Can Move initiative to disrupt healthcare inequity for the limb loss & limb difference community by empowering state-by-state legislative action and expanding access to medically necessary care for physical activity.

In Kyle's free time, you will find him cooking for his friends, running with his local track club, cycling his favorite roads in N.M., rock climbing new routes, or shredding the slopes in the Rockies!

Bryan is a certified and licensed orthotist. I am Director, Department of Orthotics/Prosthetics at the Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago (formerly Children’s Memorial Hospital); and Associate Professor, Feinberg School of Medicine, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. In addition to clinical work, he supervises and trains clinical residents; and instruct graduate students in the Master’s of Prosthetics and Orthotics degree program at the Northwestern University Prosthetics-Orthotics Center (NUPOC). Other activities include program accreditation and global policy initiatives.

Dr. Vova joined the staff at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta in 2008, and currently serves as the Division Chief of Physiatry. He is board certified in pediatrics, physical medicine and rehabilitation, pediatric rehabilitation medicine and brain injury medicine. Dr. Vova’s main clinical focus is caring for children with disabling conditions and striving to improve their function and quality of life. He is actively involved in the cerebral palsy, spasticity, brain tumor and spina bifida multidisciplinary clinics.

Dr. Vova serves on multiple clinical and administrative committees at Children’s. He has also served as the residency director for the Emory Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Residency and the fellowship director for the Pediatric Rehabilitation Medicine Fellowship. He continues to work with Emory University and Morehouse School of Medicine where he still assists as an adjunct professor. Dr. Vova’s research interests include spasticity management, anti-NMDA antibody receptor encephalitis and technology and robotics in rehabilitation. He has also presented at numerous conferences and has published textbook chapters on caring for children with special needs.

Allison Seim (“SIMM”) is a graduate of the University of Cincinnati with a Bachelor's of Science in Biomedical Engineering as well as a graduate from Northwestern University Orthotics-Prosthetics Center with my Master’s of Science in Prosthetics and Orthotics. She is an ABC-Board Certified Prosthetist-Orthotist as well as a Fellow of the American Academy of Orthotics and Prosthetics. Her degrees have allowed her to incorporate both an engineering background and outgoing personality to focus on helping people every day. Allison has a passion for discussing topics that allow clinicians to have a better holistic experience within their environment.

Kevin Symms CO, BOCPO, LPO graduated 1997 from the University of Salford (UK) with an honors degree in prosthetics and orthotics. Practicing initially in the UK Symms became a national specialist in the orthotic treatment of neuropathic feet. In 2003 emigrated to the US joining Hanger prosthetics and orthotics as a clinician in the twin cities of Minneapolis & St. Paul Minnesota. 2006 Symms was promoted to Director of Clinical Operations for Hanger and ultimately Director of Clinical and Scientific Affairs, responsibilities included running national programs including microprocessor-controlled knees & feet, training, education, compliance, preauthorization, and appeals. Specialty expertise includes clinical documentation, technical/clinical support, medical necessity, education, product development and technical support. 1999 Symms established OandPServe Consulting and works with providers across the US assisting clinicians and providers with ‘Denial Avoidance’, best practice, documentation, and appeals. Symms also works with overseas manufacturers seeking US market access. An accomplished educator and presenter Symms provides one on one clinician support to orthotists and prosthetists in the field

Dr. Geil has a BS in Mechanical Engineering from North Carolina State University and a PhD in Biomedical Engineering from the Ohio State University. He is currently Professor of Biomechanics and Associate Dean for Research in the Wellstar College of Health and Human Services at Kennesaw State University near Atlanta, Georgia. He also holds adjunct faculty appointments at Georgia State University and Georgia Tech. Dr. Geil conducts research in pediatric biomechanics, studying ways to improve mobility in children with amputations and neurological movement disorders.

Joshua Utay is an orthotist-prosthetist who started his career by attending UT Southwestern's P&O Program in Dallas in the late 1990's. His early clinical career consisted of pediatric and adult O&P practice with experience in both institutional and private settings. He credits professional mentorship and familial support for his appreciation of the educational processes and the enormous potential education can unlock. Armed with a master's degree in education, he became a full time O&P educator in 2012 as a founding faculty member of the O&P Program at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston. Over the next decade, Josh was inspired by the transformation repeatedly witnessed as students became graduates, graduates became certified, and young professionals became motivational leaders in their own right. Further exploration of the learning process led to completion of a doctorate of education in 2022 with special emphasis on training clinicians and health science experts to become effective educators, too. Josh has a specific interest in exploring and preserving all aspects of the history and culture of our field, as well as stories of the extraordinary people who dedicate their energies to defining it today.

As ABC’s Outreach Development Manager, Jim devotes his time to helping business owners navigate the accreditation process and improve their businesses. Jim is a big part of ABC’s successful podcast and webinar series providing additional best business practices and industry trends for the profession. With over 21 years’ experience in partnership building, public outreach and business development, Jim brings a unique perspective to O&P business owners.

Ron Wilkinson is an Orthotic Clinical Specialist with Ottobock Healthcare. He joined Ottobock in January of 2019. Prior to Ottobock, he served as a staff CPO at the Atlanta VA for two years. Before his time at the VA he was with Hanger Clinic for 22 years. He received both his Bachelor’s and Master's degrees from Auburn University and he attended Northwestern University for his education in Orthotics and Prosthetics. Ron is ABC certified in Orthotics and Prosthetics.

Jim McElhiney is a CPO based out of Tennessee and has been in practice for 60 years. When Jim was younger he was injured in a ship board accident while serving and this resulted in him becoming a BK amputee. His first leg was made by the late Ed Dillard and during that process Ed gave Jim the opportunity to work under him via the OJT program through the VA. Jim became a certified prosthetist in 1969 and a certified orthotist in 1972. Jim went on to represent the United States in the Paralympic Games three times and medaled each time. Even while Jim was competing he provided prosthetic work for 16 different Paralympic athletes.

Kinsey Herrin is an ABC Certified Prosthetist/Orthotist and a Senior Clinical Research Scientist in the George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering at the Georgia Institute of Technology. Her research at Tech focuses on the advancement of technology to improve mobility and independence for individuals with mobility challenges.