Experienced, Attentive Orthotic and Prosthetic Staff
Next Step's experienced and attentive Orthotic and Prosthetic
practitioners are certified by the American Board for Certification
in Orthotics and Prosthetics (ABC), a national organization
that sets the standards for excellence in the field. Only
ABC-certified practitioners are authorized to use the credentials
CO (certified orthotist); CP, (certified prosthetist); and
CPO (Certified prosthetist/orthotist). Next Step is a member
of the American Academy of Orthotists and Prosthetists (AAOP).
Matthew J. Albuquerque, CPO
Next Step President
Matt Albuquerque is an ABC certified practitioner in orthotics and prosthetics with more than 14 years experience. Matt received his Bachelor of Science degree in biology from Stonehill College, North Easton, Massachuesetts. He received his orthotic training at Rancho Las Amigos Medical Center through the University of California and his prosthetic training at Northwestern University.
Matt chose this business because of his desire to have an occupation that involved working with and helping people. "The favorite part of my work involves working with children who are in need of our services."
Matt explains that there was a little boy who came from Brazil to receive prosthetic care. "At Next Step, we were able to use our technology and skills to give him a high-performance prosthesis. Today, he plays soccer with all the other boys."
Matt's areas of special interest include pediatric orthotics and prosthetics, with a concentration in lower extremity prosthetics. Matt lives in Bedford, NH with his wife, Kathleen, and their sons, Kyle and Dylan.
Peter
Couture, CP
Next Step Vice-President
Peter is an ABC certified prosthetist with over 30 years
of experience exclusively in prosthetics. Peter received
the Paractitioner of the Year award in 1997 for clinical
excellence. His reputation is due to his ability to successfully
fit very ative, "educated" consumers whose lifestyles and
expectations demand successful outcomes. Well-known for
his success in fitting challenging cases from all over the
United States and Europe, Peter has developed various socket
designs and fitting protocols and is currently involved
in several research projects.
Peter is a graduate of the University of New Hampshire,
as well as New York University's post-graduate medical extension
for Prosthetics. He is also ABC and VA certified and continues
to exceed the yearly continuing education requirements to
maintain his certification. Peter has recently been involved
with successfully fitting soldiers in rehab at Walter Reed
Army Hospital in Washington, DC.
His professional memberships include the American Academy
of Orthotists and Prosthetists, the American Board for Certification,
the Amputee Coalition of America, the National Amputee Golf
Association, and the New England Handicapped Sportsman's
Association.
Peter lives in Northfield, NH, with his wife, Andrea.
Scott Cummings, PT, CPO, FAAOP
Scott is an ABC-certified practitioner as well as a Licenced Physcial Therapist. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Therapy at Northeastern University prior to completing his graduate work at UCLA. He has spent the subsequent 20 years helping people maximize their functional potential so that they may achieve their goals.
In addition to teaching orthotics and prosthetics at local colleges, Scott currently sits on the Board of Directors for the American Academy of Orthotists and Prosthetists and holds several positions on professional committees associated with advancing the care provided by the orthotic and prosthetic profession.
Scott resides in Bedford, NH with his wife Alison and their children, Amy, Michelle, and David. The Cummings family involve themselves in community activities and they can often be found at the local ball field.
Arthur
D. Graham, CP, CPO(uk)
Arthur Graham is an ABC certified prostheticst and board-eligible
orthotist. A graduate of Stathclyde University, Arthur has
spent the last 11 years working as a prosthetist/orthotist
in and around the Greater Boston area. Prior to this, Arthur
worked at Queen Mary's Hospital, London, and was involved
with the implementation and operation of many overseas O&P
clinics in the former USSR and Saudi Arabia.
Arthus is involved with the Amputee Coalition of America
and served on the program planning commitee for the 2003
conference in Boston. He possesses extensive experience
in upper and lower extremity prosthetics, with a special
interest in above-knee microprocessor controlled prostheses.
He also teaches orthotics and prosthetics part-time to undergraduate
students in the physical therapy program at Northeastern
University, Sprinfield College and Simmons College.
Arthur resides in Framingham, MA, with his wife Jan and
their daughter, Grace Jane. The Grahams are avid skiers
and can be found on the slopes at Wildcat Mountain most
weekends in the winter.
Jason Lalla, Certified Prosthetist
Jason Lalla is an ABC certified prosthetist and an above knee amputee. Jason lost his leg in a motorcycle accident nearly 20 years ago.
Jason attended California State University at Dominquez Hills where he recieved his bachelors degree in health science with an emphasis in prosthetics. Also an athlete, Jason is known for his speed and agility in skiing and downhill mountain biking. He was a gold medal recipient at the 1998 Paralympics in Nagano, Japan for giant slalom.
Lalla was also recently named one of New Hampshire's "40 Under Forty", an honors program that recognizes the state's emerging leaders.
Jason resides in Dunbarton, NH with his wife, Heather, son, Jackson, and daughter, Piper.
Gerald
Scandiffio, CP
Jerry Scandiffio is an ABC-Certified Prosthetist and has
been a below-knee amputee for the past 16 years. Jerry chose
the field of prosthetics because as an amputee himself,
he felt he could understand what amputees are going through
and, therefore, be even more effective in helping them get
back to their desired lifestyles.
"I see being an amputee as challenging but we all know
life is full of challenges. If I can be a positive influence
on another amputee and help to change their life, then I
have done my job."
Jerry continues to attend educational seminars to maintain
his certification, has played on the National Amputee Hockey
Team and participates in 5k runs for charity. He can be
found most frequently riding his Harley Davidson throughout
New England.
David Beauchemin, CPOA
Certified Prosthetic Orthotic Assistant
David specializes in pediatric orthotics and is based in the Manchester, NH facility. Dave has 16 years of experience as an orthotic/prosthetic technician along with his skills as an assistant. He also serves Next Step as the company's Safety Program Coordinator.
David continues to improve his knowledge by attending educational seminars and is pursuing his ABC certification towards becoming a Certified Practitioner Assistant.
Rusty Brightman, CPA
Certified Practitioner Assistant
Rusty has worked in our Warwick, RI facility as a technician and practitioner assistant for over 5 years.
"My mother is an amputee and after seeing what was involved, I decided this is the career I wanted. Not only did it feel good to help my mother, but it felt good to help others as well."
David Dage, CPA, CTP
Certified Practitioner Assistant, Certified Prosthetic Technician
David Dage is an ABC-certified prosthetic technician as well as a practitioner assistant. David has been involved in the field of O&P since October of 1979.
"Celebrating 25 years in the profession, the hands-on involvement in all aspects of fabrication and ever evolving technologies has given me an extremely rewarding and interesting lifelong career. It makes me feel good to be able to touch so many lives through the services I provide."
ian Gray , CPA, CTP
Certified Practitioner Assistant, Certified Prosthetic Technician
Luis Vivas, CPA, CFo
Certified Practitioner Assistant. Certified Orthotic Fitter
Luis is a certified practitioner assistant and orthotic fitter in our Warwick, RI facility with 18 years of experience in the field. Since losing his leg below the knee in a motorcycle accident in 1974, Luis spends his time mentoring other amputees as they experience the same challenges he did.
He is known for his love of biking and running. He won a gold medal at the U.S. National Amputee Games in Ohio in 1990 and was later invited to participate in the 1992 Paralympic Games in Barcelona, Spain.
Luis resides in Lincoln, RI with his wife, Valerie.
Technicians
 
Dave Newman Adan D'Leon
Production Supervisor Technician
Manchester, NH Manchester, NH
Joe Maher
Technician
Warwick, RI
Business Manager
Andrea Deshaies-Couture
Business Manager/
Administrative Supervisor
Manchester, NH
Administrators
 
Jeanne DiOrio Tesni Freed
Administrator Administrative Assistant
Warwick, RI Manchester, NH
 
Susan Karagozian Lindsay Nogash
Administrator Administrator
Warwick, RI Newton, MA
 
Penny Plichta Katie Ralls
Client Care Coordinator Executive Assistant
Manchester, NH Manchester, NH
Pam Ruth
Administrator
Manchester, NH
Purchasing
Tom Bourassa
Materials Coordinator
Manchester, NH |
Active Step
