WillowWood Advisory Council
Kathleen DeLawrence, COO
Ability Prosthetics and Orthotics
After serving on the board of directors for Ability Prosthetics, Kathleen joined the company in 2015 as Chief Operating Officer, bringing more than 20 years of experience from the pharmaceutical industry.
Before joining Ability, Kathleen parlayed her deep operational business and startup acumen into a strategic consulting practice focused on entrepreneurial businesses in the healthcare and life sciences market. She brings her cross-discipline experience to Ability, which includes a wide range of consulting and corporate management assignments.
Kathleen’s career includes positions as Chief Operating Officer for Prism Pharmaceuticals where she was responsible for business operations and the functional areas of manufacturing, supply chain, marketing, and commercial operations, as well as Vice President and General Manager of Dover Communications, a medical education company, where she led business operations, sales delivery, and financial reporting. Kathleen began her pharmaceutical career at AstraMerck following a few years of business strategy consulting with PricewaterhouseCoopers.
Brandon Sampson, CP
When I was a kid, I almost lost my hand in a farming accident, and spent a lot of time with surgeons and therapists as they worked to fix my hand. Two things came out of that experience that changed my life; the beginning of my life as a musician (I played guitar for my rehab), and second, my interest in orthopedic medicine and rehabilitation. Years later at Luther College, I was able to pursue both of my passions, singing in the Nordic Choir, and pursuing a degree in Biology. My advisor introduced me to the world of prosthetics and orthotics, and I immediately knew what I wanted to do with the rest of my life.
I started in the prosthetic business 16 years ago as a technician making limbs, became a board certified practitioner and then a public speaker and educator, and am now living my ultimate dream of owning my own business. I come from a long line of farmers and entrepreneurs, and am so excited to follow in their footsteps to be the master of my own destiny. My hope is that when you come to Limb Lab, you feel important and valuable, that no matter the challenges that you are facing, you feel confident in the practitioner that works with you, and optimistic, and even inspired about your journey. There is nothing I love more than seeing people who I work with turn the tragedy of limb loss into the start of a beautiful life. There is nothing that we can’t accomplish together.
Eric Schatz, BSME, CPO
International Prosthetics and Orthotics
Eric founded International Prosthetics and Orthotics in 1999. He earned his Bachelors of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Buffalo in 1993. Eric immediately entered the Prosthetics and Orthotics field to put his engineering education to good use working as a technician for a local practice. He subsequently enrolled in the Prosthetics and Orthotics program at Northwestern University and achieved his certification through the American Board for Certification (ABC) in 1998.
“The most exciting part of my job is being an integral part of the design process from start to finish. I am very fortunate to have seen so many patients achieve things they never thought possible because of something I designed. The family atmosphere that patients experience when they walk through our door is instrumental to our patient’s success. Many of them have very unique obstacles to overcome and I believe our innovation and collaboration are the only ways to conquer these obstacles.”
Eric continually learns about new technologies so that he can provide these beneficial advancements to his clients.
“If you are not continuously learning, you are not giving your patient’s the best chance to succeed.”
Kurt E. Schlau, CP
As the corporate clinical services director of prosthetics for Wright & Filippis, Kurt is an American board certified and Ohio licensed prosthetist with nearly 30 years of experience in the Prosthetic profession.
Kurt is a member of the American Orthotic and Prosthetic Association, American Academy of Orthotics and Prosthetics, and the Michigan Orthotic and Prosthetic Association. He is also an active participant with the Ossur Advisory Board and Children’s Special Health Care Services Stakeholders Group.
Kurt graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in sports medicine from Central Michigan University and went on to complete the Northwestern University Prosthetic program.
Brittany Stresing, CPO, FAAOP
Brittany Stresing, CPO, FAAOP is the Founder and President of Limbionics with multiple locations throughout North Carolina. Brittany acquired her passion for the profession during her early teenage years as she received orthotic treatment for scoliosis; she had corrective leg length surgery, and Spina Bifida Occulta. She completed her residency at UNC hospital and then became managing practitioner of a private practice prior to starting Limbionics. In 2015 she was awarded Healthcare Hero Rising Star by the Triangle Business Journal and Woman of Achievement by Durham Magazine. She also won the National Stevie award for female entrepreneur of the year award for small business in 2015.
She was Secretary of the North Carolina Orthotic and Prosthetic Trade Association (NCOPTA); she is the Immediate Past President of NC Chapter of Orthotists and Prosthetists, and a board member for the National Association for the Advancement of Orthotists and Prosthetists.
On top of these duties, she volunteers as Medical Staff Prosthetist and Orthotist for the Valor Games Southeast for wounded veterans as well as a recurring Guest Speaker for Duke University’s Doctorate of Physical Therapy Program, Duke University’s Biomedical Engineering Program, and Campbell Universities Doctorate of Physical Therapy program.
Seth Walters, BOCPO
Excel Prosthetics