Congratulations for 42 Years! Joseph DeLorenzo!

Dankmeyer started a tradition several years ago that we dubbed First Friday. On that first Friday, we recognize those with birthdays and work anniversaries that month. We mark their accomplishments, we celebrate their friendship and we respect their focus and dedication to our patients and clinical partners. We also have cupcakes, or cookies or something for fun!

Joseph DeLorenzo’s work anniversary with Dankmeyer is in January and 2022 is a very special milestone. As the longest serving employee at Dankmeyer, Joe has been with Dankmeyer for 42 years. Yes, you read that correctly. Originally from Long Island, New York, he came to Baltimore as a young man and recalls working many summers at Dankmeyer scrubbing and sweeping floors - doing what many young adults who are part of an O&P family do - cleaning! He liked working with his hands, and became a technician, eventually deciding to become a prosthetist. As the Production Manager for a number of years, he oversaw all aspects of device fabrication, eventually giving that position up to assume joint ownership of the company with Mark Hopkins in 2012.

Joe has seen the company grow to multiple offices and the staff to support that work, and supervised many changes in technology and fabrication of prostheses and orthoses. He splits his time between running the company, checking in on some long time patients, and working in the lab - both hands on and training others. O&P combines his love of teaching, carpentry and hand skills, and helping people overcome their physical challenges. We are glad he is here and congratulate him on his remarkable journey at both Dankmeyer and in O&P.

Joe participated in our #DiscoverDankmeyer video challenge. We thought you might enjoy seeing that here.

Jeremy Halteman, CPO Dankmeyer High Tech Specialist

Jeremy Halteman, CPO, joined Dankmeyer in 2019 as a high tech clinical specialist. Since his start two years ago, he has been instrumental in integrating and expanding Dankmeyer’s use of 3D scanning technologies. You may have seen him (as well as other clinicians) with his iPad and attached scanner scanning residual limbs in order to facilitate digital modifications. Software can then be used to create the ultimate in custom prosthetic test sockets in house, or to make test fittings for prosthetic arms, as well as other parts used in house.

Jeremy was one of the winners of our in house Dankmeyer video challenge #DiscoverDankmeyer. Along with Dankmeyer Prosthetic and Orthotic Resident Danny Weiser, Jeremy’s video displays the use of another high tech casting technique, HiFi. Take a look at that Dankmeyer award winning video here. If you want to know more about this casting process, click here.

Jeremy attended St. Petersburg College of Orthotics and Prosthetics in Florida, later moving to Baltimore to complete his residency and become a CPO, and has been in Maryland ever since. He enjoys problem solving unique and challenging cases as well as exploring emerging socket technologies. He has extensive experience fitting subischial sockets of various designs, as well as vacuum suspension and custom liners. He continues to work with our research and development team to put new and groundbreaking concepts into practice. He gets really excited about new O&P technology and the future of the industry!

Maryland State Senator Pays a Visit!

Wednesday morning, November 17, 2021, the Dankmeyer team welcomed Charles Dankmeyer, CPO (retired) who brought along some friends for this particular visit. Charles, while retired from practice, continues to be very active in advocacy efforts - for both patients and professionals in orthotics and prosthetics (O&P). His mission on this day was to introduce Maryland State Senator Ed Reilly and members of his staff to our very busy example of an O&P practice! Senator Reilly was joined by educators from Anne Arundel Community College for the tour of the Baltimore Washington office. The Baltimore Washington office is Dankmeyer’s main location, and features a state-of-the-art fabrication department where our skilled technicians hand craft the majority of the devices we deliver. We also provide the final touches to devices that are manufactured outside of Dankmeyer.

The office-wide tour included a close look at the equipment used in fabrication, as well as fabrication demonstrations of several devices. Jeremy Halteman, CPO, who specializes in digital fabrication, demonstrated 3D scanning followed by the process of 3D printing using scanning software files. Members of Dankmeyer’s Fabrication Department were also happy to show other fabrication techniques including a drape and blister molding model, and the process of laminating a prosthesis.

Other Dankmeyer team members were available to answer questions about all the things that happen as part of the process of providing prostheses and orthoses to patients. Fabrication is one part of a series of steps that result in that delivery and the path to well being and mobility for the patient. While the focus on this day was fabrication methods and skills, everyone was engaged in the discussions about all the information being gathered.

Education and advocacy are a part of Dankmeyer’s mission. We love the opportunity to teach others about what we do, and all the resources required in O&P to make those services available to patients in an effective and efficient manner. We thank Senator Reilly and the staff from Anne Arundel Community College for the opportunity to do that.

Farewell, Michelle Forbus!

Today Dankmeyer said goodbye to Michelle Forbus, CPO. Michelle joined us a few years ago after completing her residency to run our Eastern Shore office. Michelle has loved her time there, but decided to move out of state to be closer to family. She will be associated with a children’s hospital in her new position.

We will miss Michelle and wish her all health and happiness and safe travels!

Dankmeyer says Goodbye to Dawn Miranda

Our Dawn Miranda, Prosthetist Assistant and Marketing Assistant, is leaving us! Dawn, who joined the Dankmeyer team a little over two years ago, came to us when her family moved here from San Antonio. In San Antonio, she served in a similar position for a prosthetics and orthotics practice there, shortly after becoming an amputee herself.

Dawn wasn’t always in prosthetics and orthotics. Dawn spent a number of years in nursing, working for various facilities in both a nursing and administrative capacity. She spent time in rehabilitation, as well as being the caregiver for her elderly parents for several years. During this time, and while she fought cancer, Dawn put her business administration education on hold to take care of her family and her health.

The COVID-19 virus and public health emergency’s need for qualified clinical providers in nursing and other fields created a pull that Dawn felt to return to her nursing roots. Combined with a desire to finish her education, this calling has led Dawn to decide upon a new course for her life, which means leaving Dankmeyer.

We are very sorry to see her go. Her warmth and joy have been an inspiration to our Dankmeyer staff and all the patients she has touched. We hope that she will be able to continue to blog for us in her Dawn’s Blog. We wish her the best of luck, health and happiness!