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• INSPIRING
A Passion to Help People “I enjoy the reward of making patients smile by providing them comfort, and I enjoy that I can be a part of making a difference in a patient’s life,” says Kala Saunders. Saunders is the Home Care Coordinator for Interim Healthcare in Roanoke. Like so many others who’ve chosen healthcare as a profession, Saunders did so because “my passion is helping others and listening to others. I am compassionate and empathetic for what other people’s situations are and what they may be going through. By being in healthcare, I can make a difference by helping someone with a task they may not know how to do or coordinating a need for a patient.” She also takes pleasure in working in the community that Interim Healthcare serves.
Kala Saunders Home Care Coordinator
Interim Healthcare
ROANOKE
“I enjoy and thrive off relationships in the community,” Saunders says. “I enjoy the social interaction with patients and with the individuals I market to. I find it rewarding to see our therapy change the lives of patients by making a positive impact on their overall quality of life. I also find it rewarding to provide pet therapy to patients and staff with our pet therapy dog.” Saunders is honored to be recognized for her efforts in the field of healthcare. “I hope that I make a difference by assisting others with coordinating care for patients and families,” Saunders says. “I speak with families daily on plans for their loved ones and provide community resources and different option plans that would be appropriate. I am most proud of taking the extra time and going the extra mile to see results.”
Here to Help Others As a certified prosthetist/orthotist with Virginia Prosthetics & Orthotics, Inc., “I am responsible for managing the orthotic and prosthetic care of people who need braces and/or artificial limbs,” says Tyler Manee. “These devices include prosthetic legs, arms, hands, fingers, and braces from top to bottom.” Manee says he’s been drawn to healthcare since childhood. “I believe we are here to help each other,” he says. “My family has a number of nurses who have always been an inspiration to me. My parents passed on a strong value of caring for others and remembering that each person I interact with is a person deserving of my time and attention.” Manee is also co-founder of a 3D printing company that helps bring the benefits of 3D printing into the prosthetic and orthotic field.
Tyler Manee
Certified Prosthetist/Orthotist
Virginia Prosthetics & Orthotics
ROANOKE
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“In 2013, Tyler Dunham approached me and asked if I wanted to work with him to find a way to 3D print prosthetic sockets,” Manee says. “We taught ourselves how to 3D model and 3D print, developed a process and a patent for fabricating 3D printed prosthetic sockets, and started Additive Orthotics and Prosthetics. We have been providing 3D modeling and printing services to other prosthetics and orthotics professionals for three years now and are working to advance the quality of care in our field with the many benefits of this technology.” Manee hopes to continue to make a difference in his field of expertise. “Helping people achieve their goals and overcome whatever issue brought them to need a prosthesis or orthosis is endlessly fulfilling,” Manee says.
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