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June 2006 • Vol. 2, No. 2
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Advancing Orthotic and Prosthetic
Care Through Knowledge
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Foy, pictured with daughter Dana, is proud to share the O&P profession with her.
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Steven Foy, CPO, of Northern Orthopedics in Anchorage, Alaska, has been involved with the orthotics and prosthetics profession for more than three decades. After serving in the Vietnam War and volunteering to aid the injured military personnel in transit hospitals, Foy returned to the states wanting to continue to help those disabled by war or other circumstances.
“I used the GI bill to go back to school to pursue my interest in medicine,” explains Foy. When preparing to transfer from community college to the University of Washington, a series of vocational tests pointed him toward physical therapy (PT). “When I met with the dean of the PT school, we started talking a bit more about my background and interests. I had always been very handy and enjoyed auto mechanics and tinkering with machinery.” Foy continues, “He told me about a new program in orthotics and prosthetics that was just starting at the University of Washington, so I went to meet with that dean, Barney Simon, and the rest is history!” Foy returned to school for a year to meet the prerequisites, but from then on, there was no turning back.
When asked why he so generously supports the Academy’s efforts to advance the O&P profession, he says, “When the mission of Project Quantum Leap and all of the grant initiatives
really started to take shape, it was apparent how important this work was to the future of the O&P profession.” Foy also feels that the various Academy initiatives will help clearly define the value of the work of an orthotist or prosthetist as the profession continues to advance.
Foy truly enjoys helping people and sharing the O&P profession with others. “It’s so great that we, as orthotists and prosthetists, can bring our patients to another level of comfort and function,” says Foy.
Like Father, Like Daughter
He regularly conducts outreach programs in and around Anchorage. He even sparked interest in his daughter, Dana Foy-Klaameyer. She worked as a technician for her father, but expressed interest in becoming a practitioner. Married with two children, she juggled school day and night just to meet the prerequisites for O&P school. She applied to the University of Washington and was accepted, so her family relocated to Seattle while she completed school.
Foy-Klaameyer is now back in Alaska with Foy, working side-by-side with her father during her orthotics residency. Foy is thrilled to have her back and have her part of the profession that is his passion. “You’re in the ‘helping mode’ within this profession, and as long as you stay focused, you won’t go wrong. Even after 30 years, it’s still a great field to be in!”
The Academy is pleased to accept donations year-round to help support its research and education initiatives. Contributions may be made payable to the Academy, 526 King Street, Suite 201, Alexandria, VA 22314.
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