RIC Prosthetic Clinical Staff

Our prosthetics clinical staff is dedicated to working with you, your physician, and your therapist to design, fabricate and fit a custom prosthesis or orthosis that works best for you. The unique environment of the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago (RIC) allows direct interaction between all members of the rehabilitation team.  The input of staff physiatrists (doctors who specialize in physical medicine and rehabilitation) as well as occupational and physical therapists is invaluable in successful orthotic and prosthetic outcomes. The varied backgrounds and experience of the clinical staff ensure that the most diverse of patient needs can be met. 

Learn more about each member of our prosthetics clinical staff:

Walter Afable, CP

Walter is an ABC Certified and Illinois Licensed Prosthetist and is a staff prosthetist at the RIC Prosthetics and Orthotics Clinical Center.  

Walter received his Bachelor of Science in biomedical engineering from Marquette University, Milwaukee, WI. He received Prosthetic Technician and Prosthetic Practitioner certificates from Century College, White Bear Lake, MN and completed his prosthetic residency with MD Labs in Chicago. Most recently he worked at Dankmeyer, Inc. in Baltimore, MD. Currently he is participating in the blended learning certificate program in orthotics through the Northwestern University Prosthetics-Orthotics Center.

Walter has received training and certification to fit the Harmony vacuum assisted socket system, Otto Bock myoelectric systems and C-leg, Rheo and Agility microprocessor knees. He also serves as an independent course consultant for Freedom Innovations, Irvine, CA and is a member of the American Academy of Orthotists and Prosthetists.

Martin Buckner, CPO

Martin is an ABC Certified and Illinois Licensed Prosthetist/Orthotist, bringing over 10 years experience in the field to RIC's flagship hospital. His formal training has included Northwestern University Prosthetics-Orthotics Center certificate program and residency training at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation.

With knowledge and experience in pediatric orthotic/prosthetic care, acute early management of amputations and pediatric spine management, Martin is a great addition to the RIC family. He also contributes back to the community and the field of O&P as an adjunct faculty member in the OPT (Orthotic Prosthetic Technician) program at JJC (Joliet Junior College) and as a member of the American Academy of Orthotics Prosthetics Fabrication Sciences Society.

George Du, CP

George is an ABC Certified and Illinois Licensed Prosthetist and is a staff prosthetist at the RIC Prosthetics and Orthotics Clinical Center. 

George has been in the orthotics and prosthetics field for 16 years—two as a technician and 14 as a clinician. George received his Bachelor of Science Degree in Electrical Engineering from Tsinghuan University and had worked for the Chinese government in the area of myoelectric research for ten years. He was also involved with developing the relationship between China and the United States in the prosthetics and orthotics field. He attended the Century College prosthetic practitioner program and technician program, earning his certificate in prosthetics in 1991. He then completed his prosthetics training in Chicago and Michigan. George furthered his education by receiving his Masters of Science in Allied Health (with a concentration in prosthetics) from the University of Connecticut.

George has received training and certification to fit the C-Leg, Harmony System, Otto Bock Myoelectric Systems and MAS Transfemoral Design. George specializes in transfemoral fittings and is a member of the American Academy of Orthotists and Prosthetists.

Kelly M. Lee, CP

Kelly is an ABC Certified and Illinois Licensed Prosthetist and is a staff prosthetist at the RIC Prosthetics and Orthotics Clinical Center.  

Kelly received her Bachelor of Science degree from Clemson University, then received her Prosthetic Certificate from Rutger’s University. She completed her prosthetic residency with Allied Orthopedic in Brooklyn, NY.

Kelly has received training and certification to fit the Harmony system, the C-leg, the Boston Digital Arm and Otto Bock myoelectric systems. Her clinical interests include utilizing modern materials to improve socket comfort. Kelly authored an article that was published in Advance for Directors in Rehabilitation and is a member of the American Academy of Orthotists and Prosthetists.

Robert D. Lipschutz, CP

Robert is an ABC Certified and Illinois Licensed Prosthetist and is a co-director of the RIC Prosthetics and Orthotics Clinical Center, is involved in research with the Neural Engineering Center for Artificial Limbs at RIC and is a clinical instructor with the Northwestern University Prosthetic-Orthotic Center. 

Robert has been in the orthotics and prosthetics field for 18 years. He received his Bachelor of Science Degree in Mechanical Engineering from the Drexel University and received his certificate in prosthetics and orthotics from New York University’s Post Graduate Medical School in 1990. He then completed his prosthetics training at the Shriner’s Hospital for Crippled Children in Springfield Massachusetts. Robert continued his clinical endeavors at Newington Children’s Hospital in Newington, Connecticut.

Robert has received training and certification to fit the C-Leg, Otto Bock Myoelectric Systems, Boston Digital Arm, Utah Arm and MAS Transfemoral Design and specializes in upper limb and pediatric prosthetic fittings. He is a member of the American Academy of Orthotists and Prosthetists and the Association of Children’s Prosthetic-Orthotic Clinics.

Sarra McClintock, CP

Sarra is a Certified Prosthetist by the American Board for Certification.  She is also licensed in the state of Illinois and is working at the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago Prosthetics and Orthotics Clinical Center.

Sarra completed her prosthetics certificate at Northwestern University Prosthetics-Orthotics Center in 2006 followed by a National Commission Orthotics and Prosthetics Residency at RIC.  She also has a degree in Digital Design/Media from Brooks Institute.  Prior to entering Northwestern, Sarra gained her technical experience in Fairfax, VA while working in the private sector.

Sarra received training and certification on the Otto Bock C-Leg and Otto Bock myoelectric systems including the dynamic arm and Helix hip joint.  Sarra also is trained in fitting of the Utah 3 myoelectric elbow.  Sarra's clinical interests include high level lower limb prosthetics and hip disarticulation prosthetic gait and fittings.  Sarra is also active in the volunteer community with prosthetic sustainability projects.

She is a member of the American Academy of Orthotists and Prosthetists and is in good standing.

Donald McGovern, BS, OT, CPO, LPed, FAAOP

Don McGovern is an ABC Certified and Illinois Licensed Prothetist and Orthotist and is a staff orthotist and prosthetist at the RIC Prosthetics and Orthotics Clinical Center. He also serves patients at the RIC Outpatient Center in Homewood, the RIC DayRehabCenter – Willowbrook and the RIC Outpatient Center at Willowbrook.

Don has been in the orthotics and prosthetics field since 1979. He graduated from the University of Illinois Occupational Therapy School with Honors in 1979.  He completed the Northwestern University Prosthetics-Orthotics Center certificate program in prosthetics in 1980 and in orthotics in 1982.  Don had his own orthotic and prosthetic practice for 18 years which focused on the pediatric population.

He is also a Fellow of the American Academy of Orthotists and Prosthetists.

Vari McPherson, CPO, CP

Vari is an ABC Certified and Illinois Licensed Orthotist and Prosthetist and is a staff Orthotist at the RIC Prosthetics and Orthotics Clinical.

Vari completed her Bachelor of Science degree in Biomechanics and Human Kinetics at the University of Guelph, Guelph, Canada in 1997 and continued her education at the University of Washington, Seattle, WA in 2001 with a Bachelor of Science in Prosthetics and Orthotics. She then completed her orthotic residency at Hanger Prosthetics and Orthotics at the Connecticut Children’s Medical Center, Hartford,CT in 2002 and completed her prosthetic residency at Hanger Prosthetics and Orthotics in Chicago, IL. 

Vari has received training and certification to fit the Walk-Aid, multiple Stance Control Knee systems, Boston Scoliosis Brace, the C-leg and various dynamic prosthetic feet. She is also a member of the American Academy of Orthotists and Prosthetists and American Orthotics and Prosthetics Association.

Laura A. Miller, PhD, CP

Laura Miller is an ABC Certified and Illinois Licensed Prosthetist and is a part-time staff prosthetist for the RIC Prosthetics and Orthotics Clinical Center and an Assistant Professor in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at Northwestern University, participating in prosthetics research through the Neural Engineering Center for Artificial Limbs (NECAL).

Laura graduated summa cum laude from Tulane University in New Orleans with a Bachelor of Science degree.  She moved to Chicago for her Masters degree in biomedical engineering, completing research on the Reflex VSP shock absorbing foot.  After completing her Masters degree, she completed the Northwestern University Prosthetics-Orthotics Center certificate program in prosthetics and began working at RIC. She completed her PhD in Biomedical Engineering at Northwestern University in 2003. The title of her thesis is “Theories of Human Ambulation with Application to Swing-through Crutch Gait.” 

Laura has received training and certification to fit the Harmony system, the C-leg, the Boston Digital Arm, the Utah Arm and Otto Bock myoelectric systems. She has multiple publications in the area of normal gait and lower limb prosthetics and also has an interest in and has been an author in publications in the area of high-level upper limb prosthetic fittings. Laura is a member of the American Academy of Orthotists and Prosthetists and its Midwest Chapter.

Nicole T. Soltys, CP

Nicole is an ABC Certified and Illinois Licensed Prosthetist and is a staff prosthetist at the RIC Prosthetics and Orthotics Clinical Center.

Nicole received her Bachelor of Science degree in Biomedical Engineering from Marquette University in Milwaukee, WI.  She then completed the Northwestern University Prosthetics-Orthotics Center certificate program in prosthetics in 2003 and completed her prosthetic residency at the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago.

Nicole has received training and certification to fit the Harmony system, the Boston Digital Arm and Otto Bock myoelectric systems. Her clinical interests include pediatric prosthetic management, upper-limb prosthetic fitting and patient education.  She has co-authored a series of patient education booklets about below-knee, above-knee and upper-limb amputation and is a member of the American Academy of Orthotists and Prosthetists.