Meet Our Faculty And Staff
Arlene Gillis
Founder
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The Institute is the brainchild of our founder, Arlene Gillis, CP, LPO, M.Ed. Ms. Gillis is a noteworthy O&P professional with over 27 years of experience, including 10 years as a practitioner, followed by 17 years as an educator and O&P Program Director at St. Petersburg College, Florida State University and Florida International University. Ms. Gillis has served on numerous Orthotic and Prosthetic boards and committees, as well as National Commission for Orthotics and Prosthetic of Education as Chair. Collectively, these experiences led Ms. Gillis to identify two significant voids in the O&P education profession, and more particularly, in the treatment of members of the armed services who have lost limbs. Specifically, Ms. Gillis observed that O&P veterans benefit significantly from a holistic approach to the treatment of their injuries, but noted that the availability of such holistic care is limited; and Ms. Gillis recognized that a collaborative approach between researchers, educators and practitioners is necessary for the advancement of the treatment of O&P patients, the training and the education of O&P practitioners, and research and development in the O&P profession. Mrs. Gillis first became interested in the field of rehabilitation when she was just 12 years old after her mother was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis and subsequently passed away. Determined to help other families who are challenged with any kind of physical impairment, Ms. Gillis eventually pursued a career in Rehabilitation and Physical Therapy. It was during this time that she discovered the field of Orthotics and Prosthetics, and it has remained her life-long passion to help educate others about the profession and develop competent O&P practitioners. Gillis leads an innovative team of O&P educators. They hope to have impact on patients, the profession and our students lives.
Kali Bradley
Administrative Assistant
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Kali graduated from Florida State University in 2021 receiving her bachelor’s degree in business- Marketing. She loves meeting and talking to new people in the IIOP community. Outside of work, Kali enjoys working out, spending time with friends and family, and playing pickleball.
Victoria Martinez
Marketing, Research, and Development
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Victoria has a Bachelor's degree in Health and Society from the University of Texas at Austin and a Master's degree in Public Health - Epidemiology and grant development from Florida International University. IIOP allows her to utilize both her passion for helping others and her solid educational background in research in this profession. She thrives on working in a fast-growing field and is motivated to fulfill the needs to make IIOP continue to succeed through grant writing and marketing research. Outside of work, Victoria enjoys working out, watching sports, and spending time with her family.
Olivia Martinez
Director of Admissions
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Olivia received her Bachelor’s Degree in Communications and Spanish as well as her Master’s Degree in General and Special Education from Fordham University. Since graduating, Olivia has spent the last 6 years working in education as a special education teacher at the middle and high school levels. She looks forward to putting her knowledge towards higher education and helping IIOP grow and succeed. In her free time, Olivia enjoys traveling the world, boating and spending time with her family.
Deborah Faust
Financial Aid Coordinator
Angela Courtade - MS, LPO, CPO
Program Director
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Angela Courtade, MS, CPO, LPO, has 30 years of professional experience in the Orthotics & Prosthetics industry and over 50 years of personal experience wearing a prosthesis. She has witnessed many advancements in the field and was fortunate to be one of the initial users of a microprocessor knee in the United States over 24 years ago. She began exploring the O&P field as a technician at her prosthetist’s office while enrolled in the pre-allied health curriculum at the University of Northern Iowa. Drawing from these experiences, she later attended The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas, Texas, where she earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Prosthetics and Orthotics. She then went on to complete her Orthotics residency at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center in Oklahoma City within the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Rehabilitation. The following year, she was accepted into Southern Illinois University School of Medicine’s Prosthetic Residency program in Springfield, Illinois. During her two residencies, she gained experience in multidisciplinary care settings within both Orthopedics departments, which allowed patients needing orthotic and prosthetic care to thrive and pursue activities that helped them reach their fullest potential. Angela continued her career working for a small private company, Dale Clark Prosthetics in Waterloo, Iowa, as well as larger O&P organizations. She later transitioned to academia as an adjunct instructor and then lead instructor at St. Petersburg College of Orthotics and Prosthetics. During her time teaching, she also helped develop their Orthotics and Prosthetics Master’s standards curriculum. She later earned a Master of Science degree from Saint Leo University in Florida. Most recently, Angela held a position with the Veterans Health Administration as the Southeast Regional Clinical Director, once again working in an interdisciplinary setting. She led efforts to expand amputation specialty care in the Southeastern region. She also provided O&P education to residents, physicians, nurses, therapists, and other healthcare providers to enhance understanding and collaboration for veteran patients. Along with patient care, both in person and virtually, she led an Amputation Support Group, offering educational topics to patients along with other healthcare providers. During her time with the VA, Angela also served as an NCOPE Residency Co-Director and an Approved Clinical Mentor. Additionally, she contributed to several national councils and committees, including the Amputation System of Care Best Practices Committees, Orthotic, Prosthetic, Pedorthic Education Committee, VA Prosthetic-Orthotics Residency Leadership Committee, O&P Research Council, Market Analysis and Research Council, O&P Cerner/Oracle EHR Council, and O&P Job Series Qualification Committee. Angela enjoys spending time with her family and friends, including her husband, who is also a prosthetist/orthotist, her three sons, and two dogs. Along with educating students and healthcare providers she is also a passionate advocate for patients and is dedicated to giving back to the profession that has given her the ability to walk and is grateful for every step along the way.
Ryan Chase - MS Eng, LPO, CPO
Adjunct Faculty
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Ryan Chase is ABC-certified and licensed by the state of Florida in Prosthetics and Orthotics. His experience includes over 10 years in patient care and 6 years in management. Ryan earned his bachelor's degree in Orthotics and Prosthetics from St. Petersburg College and has completed his master’s degree in Assistive Technology Engineering at California State University Northridge. In previous roles, Ryan worked with students overseeing clinical rotations and observation hours. He also served as a continuing education instructor providing O&P courses to allied health and nursing professionals. These past experiences, and a personal affection for learning encouraged Ryan to become a full-time educator. Away from work, Ryan and his wife enjoy cooking, traveling with their pup, and going to Buccaneers games.
Heather Coffey - MSOP, CPO, LPO
Faculty
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Heather Coffey studied Athletic Training/Sports Medicine at Florida State University. After working in rehab and sports in Tampa, Heather completed her Masters of Science in Prosthetics and Orthotics at Georgia Institute of Technology. She then returned to the Tampa Bay area to complete her O&P residencies and continue working as a Certified Prosthetist Orthotist. Outside of work Heather enjoys paddle boarding, hiking and spending time with her dog, Bodhi.
Joy Iurato - MSEM, CPO
Faculty
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Joy holds a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the University of South Florida and a second Bachelor’s in Orthotics and Prosthetics (O&P) from St. Petersburg College. She also earned a Master’s in Engineering Management with a focus on O&P from Florida International University. Joy is an ABC-certified orthotist and prosthetist and is licensed in several states. With 30+ years in engineering, Joy's primary role has been in leading large R&D projects, managing Commercial and Industrial Construction. Responsibilities included Project Management and Design. Her O&P career experience spans several large private practices, the Orlando VA Medical Center, clinical and engineering team roles at a neurorobotics manufacturer, and Shriner’s Children’s Clinic (POPS) where her primary role is prosthetics. Hobbies include hiking, outdoors, and cycling. Joy’s academic interests include wellness, AI, and 3D design and printing.
Jennifer Richards - MA, CPO
Adjunct Faculty
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Jennifer Richards, MA, CPO, is a certified prosthetist orthotist with a master’s degree in education. She’s been in the field of O&P for over 20 years. She’s practiced in both private practices and at large institutions in five different states. She’s taught Orthotics students at Northwestern University and DPT students at the University of Maryland and the University of Wisconsin and she currently teaches a Clinical Gait Analysis course in the Kinesiology Department at the University of Michigan. She’s been doing clinical outcomes research for five years and has published her work in both the Journal of Prosthetics and Orthotics and in Prosthetics Orthotics International. She was awarded the Howard R. Thranhardt Lecture Award in March of 2024 for her clinical outcomes research on cranial remolded orthosis treatment.
Dr. Miguel Gomez
Adjunct Faculty
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José Miguel Gómez, Profesor, MD, LO. Received his degree as Medical Surgeon at Pontificia Universidad Javeriana in Bogotá, Colombia. He attended Northeast Metro Technical Institute in White Bear Lake, Minnesota for Orthotic program, and completed his orthotic residency at Gillette Children’s Hospital in Saint Paul, Minnesota. Licensed in Orthotics He has lectured in the United States, Central America, and South America and published several professional articles on the orthotic treatment of spine deformities. He is currently the Scientific Director of Laboratorio Gilete in Bogotá, Colombia and the President of Gomez Orthotic Systems, LLC Saint Petersburg FL, Assistant Professor, teaching the spinal course at Saint Petersburg College of Florida. As well he teach the Gomez Orthotic Spine Systems in North Western University ,South Western University, Pittsburg University. Dr. Gómez is the developer of the GOMEZ ORTHOTIC SPINE SYSTEM, a new advancement in the evaluation and design of orthosis for spine deformities. Received from AAOP the Clinical Creativity Award 2012, in Atlanta.
Bobby Roe, CP
Lab Manager
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Bobby Roe is ABC certified and licensed by the state of Florida in Prosthetics and Pedorthics. He has 25 years of experience in the O&P profession working as a clinician in a corporate and private clinical setting as well as an instructor for the O&P Technology AS Program at St. Petersburg College. Bobby earned his AS degree in Prosthetics in 1993 from Shelby State Community College in Memphis, TN and his BA from the University of Memphis in Foreign Language in 1995. After graduation, Bobby moved to Clearwater, FL and completed his prosthetic residency from NovaCare Sabolich in Tampa, FL in 1997. He completed the Pedorthic program offered by Oklahoma State University in Tampa, FL in 2004. Bobby enjoys traveling and working on home improvement projects with his wife, Ami.
Madelyn Walsh, MSBE-OP, CPO
Adjunct Faculty
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Madelyn is a Certified/Licensed Orthotist and Board Eligible Prosthetist with a Bachelor’s degree in Health Science from the University of Florida. After completing her undergraduate studies, she went on to receive her Master’s degree in Biomedical Engineering specializing in Orthotics and Prosthetics from Florida International University. In her free time, Madelyn enjoys a good margarita, exercising, good food, boating and fishing, or relaxing at the beach with her friends and family.
Paula Gomez, LCPO
Adjunct Faculty
Dale Petersen
Past Lab Manager
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Born in Dunedin, Florida in 1940, Dale grew up in St. Petersburg, Florida, where his father owned a business, The Harper Balanced Shoe Company, that made and fitted custom shoes, arch supports, and molded leather lower limb orthotic devices and partial foot prostheses. When he was 11 years old, he began working with his father in his shop. By the time he graduated high school, Dale had gained the skills of fabricating custom shoes and arch supports and making molded leather devices custom to cast. Dale entered the U.S. Army in 1959. Following his release from active duty in 1962, Dale used his VA educational benefits to enter an apprenticeship in Orthotics and Prosthetics. Building on the skills gained at a young age, he completed 6 years of O&P training and subsequently worked at O&P facilities in Florida, Washington and Oregon. In 1979 Petersen joined Michael Danforth in Orlando, Florida and partnered with him in establishing DOBI Symplex, Inc., an orthotic and prosthetic central fabrication business. As managing partner, Petersen, together with Mike Danforth, quickly developed the company into an industry leading orthotic and prosthetic custom fabrication business. In 1988, after having sold his interest in DOBI Symplex, Dale purchased several orthotic and prosthetic clinical facilities in Florida, and established OrthoKraft Laboratories, Inc. to provide fabrication services to these facilities. He operated these businesses until retirement in 2008. After his retirement, Arlene Gillis encouraged Petersen to join St. Petersburg College’s new Orthotics & Prosthetics bachelor’s degree program as Laboratory Manager. Dale joined Arlene at SPC in 2008 and remained there until the program closed in 2017. After his second retirement, Dale joined Arlene as she founded the International Institute of Orthotics and Prosthetics, and remains on staff as Lab Manager.
Tom Chmielewski
Lab Specialist
Monica Joshi, PT
Adjunct Faculty
Patrick A. Tino, DPT
Faculty
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Pat Tino is a physical therapist who has been in practice since 1993. His education includes earning Associates’ in Arts and Applied Science with concentration in Liberal Arts and Physical Therapist Assistant, respectively, in his hometown of Binghamton, New York. He then earned a Bachelor of Biological Science in 1995 from Barry University in Miami, Florida and Master of Physical Therapy in 1998, and Doctorate of Physical Therapy in 2010 from Nova Southeastern University in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. Pat has worked in multiple settings such as hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, outpatient centers, and home health throughout his career. He currently works in the acute care department at the Level 1 Trauma Center Tampa General Hospital (TGH) where he sees patients with a variety of complex and routine clinical diagnoses. He works closely with physicians and surgeons in subspecialty areas of general orthopedics, fractures, and joint reconstruction as well as polytrauma and vestibular/ dizziness. He is a faculty mentor for the Orthopedic rotation in TGH’s Acute Care Residency Program. He also serves as a clinical instructor to several physical therapy students each year. On average, he continues to see 10 ‘Home Health’ patients each week in the privacy of their own home. Pat maintains “to practice in a patient’s home is a privilege” and is the best setting for those clinicians who are social by nature and who possess an ability to critically think and problem solve on their own, under pressure, without input from other members of the multi-disciplinary team. Pat was closely involved in formal teaching in academia 2010-2016 as an Assistant Professor at South University Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) Program where he was the lead instructor in the following three (3) courses: Pathophysiology, Therapeutic Exercises and Application, and Rehabilitation Techniques. Additionally, Pat taught 2day weekend seminars from 2012-2020 across the nation on Total Joint Replacement, Fracture Repair & Rehab, Dizziness, Vestibular Rehabilitation, and Differential Diagnosis & Medical Screening. Currently, Pat serves as an Adjunct Professor at Nova Southeastern University Entry-Level Hybrid Doctorate of Physical Therapy Program. Outside of the classroom and clinic, Pat continues to provide continuing education via 2-hour Webinars on a variety of physical therapy topics for two national education companies. Additionally, Pat was selected to be an On-site Program Reviewer for the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA’s) accrediting body; Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE). Pat’s hobbies include weight-lifting, Muay Thai, golfing, and reading. He is married with 3 children, including 2 grandchildren, and lives with his wife Diane and their Dachshund “Franky” in Spring Hill, Florida.
Rodney Beaverson
Lab Specialist
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Rodney has been in the O&P industry since 1991, starting his career in York, PA. before moving to Florida in 2018 to work with Shriners POPS fabrication facility here in Tampa. Teaching the technical side of O&P has always been a passion of mine and IIOP has allowed me to fulfill a dream.
Dr. Jonathan D. Day - PhD, CPO
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Jonathan has 30-years of prosthetic and orthotic patient care experience. He completed academic residencies in orthotics and prosthetics at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center and Southern Illinois School of Medicine from July 1996 - June 1998. He started patient care in private practice in the Dallas market and spent the last 25 years in academic medicine at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center providing orthotic and prosthetics patient care at a level 1 trauma center. In 2015, he completed his Master’s in Health and Human Services Administration and he recently completed his doctorate in Rehabilitation Science while treating patients throughout the process.
Jonathan has served the profession on the ABC tech exam committee and as an ABC examiner. He is a past chair of NCOPE, has been an NCOPE resident mentor since 2004 and served as a residency director for over 20 years.
He is well published completing book chapters and peer reviewed journal articles. He has led and collaborated on multiple grant funded research projects throughout his career. His dissertation and current research plan focus on post-amputation healing and prosthetic readiness.
Jonathan and Melissa are the proud parents of two daughters, both have graduated from college and are leading productive lives. He and his wife enjoy travelling and plan to spend time seeing the world. He enjoys hunting, fishing and spending quality time with family, at the beach or in a new city yet to be explored.
Pete Quintanilla
Director of Government Relations
Megan Willingham
Office Manager
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Megan holds a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Exercise Physiology from Florida State University and a Master of Business Administration (MBA) with a concentration in Healthcare Administration from Coastal Carolina University. She has 5 years of experience as an administrator in both K-12 schools and higher education admissions. With her educational background and experience in administrative management, Megan is eager to contribute to the continued success of the IIOP. Outside of work, she enjoys exploring new places, staying active, reading, and spending quality time with family and friends.
Liz Hillen - M.Ed., CPO, LPO
Clinical Director/Faculty
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Liz Hillen is an American Board Certified and Licensed Prosthetist Orthotist, and brings over 28 years of Prosthetic and Orthotic clinical, and physical rehabilitation medicine experience to IIOP. She graduated from Saint Petersburg College with a B.A.S. Degree in Orthotics and Prosthetics in 2008, Auburn University with a M.Ed. Degree in Exercise Physiology in 1996, and Huntingdon College with a B.A. Degree in Human Performance and Kinesiology in 1994. Liz is known for her charismatic, yet intuitive clinical approach, and has extensive experience in advanced orthotic and prosthetic technologies and protocols. She is committed to providing compassionate, patient- and family-centered care, with an emphasis on utilizing innovative technologies and evidence-based clinical approach.
Brittany Jones
Clinical/Residency Coordinator
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Brittany Jones is an American Board Certified Prosthetist and Orthotist with 12 years of specialized experience in pediatric O&P care. Her deep connection to the field stems from personal experiences as an orthotic and prosthetic wearer for over 30 years, fueling her dedication to improving the lives of young patients.
She holds a Bachelor of Science from Virginia Tech and a Bachelor of Applied Science in Orthotics and Prosthetics from St. Petersburg College, which she earned in 2013. Brittany excels in treating complex pediatric cases, including orthoses for neuromuscular pathologies, scoliosis and cranial remolding orthoses.
Beyond clinical work, she has experience supporting and educating her peers, students, and residents on a national level, and has been a national educator in clinical best practices and other pediatric specialty topics. Brittany also has a background in Physical Therapy and Sports Medicine, which she applies to improving outcomes of her patients.