Walter Afable, CP Walter is an ABC-Certified and Illinois Licensed Prosthetist and serves as the Clinical Operations Manager of the Prosthetics & Orthotics Clinical Center, Wheelchair & Seating Center, and Rehabilitation Engineering. Walter’s clinical interests include lower limb adult special-use prostheses such as running legs, microprocessor-controlled knees, and powered foot and ankle systems.
Walter received his Bachelor of Science in biomedical engineering from Marquette University in Milwaukee, WI. He received Prosthetic Technician and Prosthetic Practitioner certificates from Century College in White Bear Lake, MN and completed his prosthetic residency with MD Labs in Chicago. Before coming to RIC, he worked at Dankmeyer, Inc. in Baltimore, MD. Walter has served as an independent course consultant for Freedom Innovations. He currently serves on an Online Training for Residency Directors committee through the National Commission for Orthotic and Prosthetic Education (NCOPE) and is a member of the American Academy of Orthotists and Prosthetists (AAOP) and serves on the board for its Midwest Chapter (MWCAAOP).
Nicole T. Soltys, CP Nicole is an ABC-Certified and Illinois Licensed Prosthetist and serves as the Clinical Coordinator for Prosthetics and Orthotics. Her clinical interests include pediatric prosthetic management, upper-limb prosthetic fittings including Targeted Muscle Reinnervation (TMR), and management of complex prosthetics patients such as those with quadrimembral limb loss. She has co-authored a series of patient education booklets about below-knee, above-knee and upper-limb amputation. 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 is a member of the Association of Children’s Prosthetic-Orthotic Clinics. Nicole has spoken at a national level at several conferences, including the American Orthotic and Prosthetic Association (AOPA), Association of Children’s Prosthetic-Orthotic Clinics (ACPOC), American Burn Association (ABA), and the Targeted Muscle Reinnervation (TMR) conference.
Kelly M. Lee, CP Kelly is an ABC-Certified and Illinois Licensed Prosthetist. Kelly’s clinical interests include pediatric and upper extremity prosthetics, particularly fitting prostheses following Targeted Muscle Reinnervation (TMR) surgery, and management of complex prosthetic patients such as those with quadrimembral limb loss. Kelly also participates in research with RIC’s Center for Bionic Medicine (CBM). Kelly received her Bachelor of Science degree from Clemson University in Clemson, SC. She then received her Prosthetic Certificate from Rutger’s University in 2001. She completed her prosthetic residency with Allied Orthopedic in Brooklyn, NY. Kelly authored an article that was published in Advance for Directors in Rehabilitation, and has spoken on a national level at the Targeted Muscle Reinnervation (TMR) and Skills for Life III conferences. Kelly is a member of the American Academy of Orthotists and Prosthetists (AAOP). George Du, CP George is an ABC-Certified and Illinois Licensed Prosthetist. George’s clinical interests include transfemoral fittings, including hydraulic and microprocessor knee systems. George provides prosthetic care at RIC’s Flagship Hospital and at the RIC Homewood Outpatient Center. 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 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 been involved with developing the relationship between China and the United States in the prosthetics and orthotics field, and has traveled to China to speak about his work in prosthetics. George is a member of the American Academy of Orthotists and Prosthetists (AAOP).