Sarah’s Journey: A Career in Orthotics and Prosthetics
As we continue to celebrate Prosthetics Orthotics Pedorthics (POP) Month, we explore the journey of clinic manager Sarah Thomas, CPO. Inspired by her foster brother’s prosthetic journey, she decided to dedicate herself to the field, becoming a skilled orthotist/prosthetist who now has more than 25 years of experience. Her passion and innovation have led her to make significant strides at clinic locations in both Vermont and the U.S. Virgin Islands, enhancing the quality of life for a diverse group of patients.
Childhood Inspiration
Sarah grew up with her family in Connecticut, often traveling and vacationing in the Caribbean. As a child, she took an interest in the field of orthotics and prosthetics (O&P) when her family fostered a young child born with a congenital disability necessitating amputation. Sarah and her foster brother grew up as active children six months apart.
His prosthetic care and ability as a child with limb loss influenced her in such a way that becoming a prosthetist was a goal she set for herself in high school. Sarah shared, “Growing up just six months apart in age, I experienced first-hand the difference that a prosthetist and prosthetic technology made in my brother’s life. I was determined to help other amputees live their best life, just as my brother’s prosthetist did for him.”
Attending School for O&P
After high school, Sarah decided to pursue her dream of becoming a prosthetist. She started by receiving her Bachelor of Comprehensive Science from Villanova University in Pennsylvania and then went on to receive her postgraduate degree in Orthotics and Prosthetics from the The Newington Certificate Program at the University of Connecticut. Initially, Sarah decided she would just focus on a degree in prosthetic training. However, during her prosthetic residency, Sarah discovered the profound value of orthotics.
“I realized that practicing in the orthotic field along with the prosthetic field made me a more complete clinician, enhancing my abilities as a prosthetist and vice versa,” said Sarah. It was then she decided to become certified in orthotics and prosthetics.
A Career in O&P
After completing her schooling and training, Sarah began practicing at a Hanger Clinic location near Salem, Massachusetts. In 2010, Sarah moved to Vermont, where she joined a private O&P practice and became a joint owner by 2013. She grew her practice to service the entire state of Vermont and beyond. In early 2024, Sarah and her business partner sold their private practice to Hanger Clinic, and she once again joined the Hanger Clinic family.
Innovating and Advancing Care in St. Croix
In 2021, Hanger Clinic established an office in St. Croix in the U.S. Virgin Islands with the assistance of Hanger Clinic clinician Peter King, CO. Sarah heard about the new location when she bumped into a colleague at an educational conference in Boston, and from that moment on, she set out on a new path for her future. After the sale of her business, Sarah’s goal of working and applying her skills at Hanger Clinic in St. Croix was realized in the summer of 2024. With over 25 years of prosthetic experience, Sarah started working in the St. Croix office to help improve local prosthetic care.
“Day one working on the island, I mentally inventoried the clinic’s equipment. I saw opportunities to bring over some technologies the island had not seen before, even if it all had to fit into our tiny space.
These technologies were needed to offer more timely services, better technology, and to meet the cosmetic and functional needs of the islanders,” said Sarah.
Inspired by the “Live Local” slogan from her other home in Vermont, Sarah was determined to reduce dependence on stateside fabrication. This innovative mindset has already brought significant advancements to St. Croix in 2025.
“We added a 3D printer for check sockets and cosmetic covers, a new scanner with computer-aided design technologies, and a small specialty oven for fabricating below-knee prostheses in a day. And not to forget our roots, I even have a small ‘plaster lab’ where I can fill prosthetic molds and use my hand skills to modify plaster models. Our setup is humble, but we have made remarkable strides,” said Sarah.
While Sarah has achieved her Big Hairy Audacious Goal (B-HAG), as she likes to call it, her new goal is to elevate the services on St. Croix by integrating more advanced technologies and improving efficiency. She aims to provide top-notch quality care, matching or exceeding the timelines of stateside counterparts.
Reflecting on Progress and Future Goals
Reflecting on her journey, Sarah is proud of the progress made in the St. Croix office. They are now extending their services to other islands, such as St. Thomas and the BVI. She never imagined she would be living her dream amidst ocean waves and cane toads.
When asked for words of advice, Sarah shared, “For me, a career in O&P is working in a field that I love, so it doesn’t really feel like work. Follow your dreams, believe in yourself, be your own best advocate, work hard, and serve your patient’s needs. By elevating your patient care, you will find yourself living your own dream.”
What is POP Month?
POP Month highlights professional opportunities in the orthotics, prosthetics, and pedorthics fields. POP professionals have a profound impact on people’s lives, from helping children and veterans walk to high-intensity athletes succeed, improving people’s mobility and quality of life.
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