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).
• Peter
Couture, CP, President/Clinical Director
• Matthew
J. Albuquerque, CPO, Vice President
• Arthur
D. Graham, CP, CPO (UK)
• Scott
Cummings, PT, CPO,FAAOP
• Gerald
Scandiffio, CP
• David
Beauchemin, ROA
• David
Dage, RT-P
• Jason
Lalla, Certified Prosthetist
• Rusty
Brightman, Practitioner Assistant
 Peter
Couture, CP
Next Step President/Clinical Director
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.
 Matthew
J. Albuquerque, CPO
Next Step Vice 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.
 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.
 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.
 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, ROA
Registered 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.
 David
Dage, RT-P
Practitioner Assistant
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."
 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.
 Rusty
Brightman, 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."
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