Kevin Carroll is an accomplished healthcare professional with more than 40 years of experience as a practicing prosthetist, visionary researcher, and skilled educator. As Vice President of Lower Extremity Prosthetics for Hanger Clinic, Kevin travels nationally and internationally presenting scientific symposiums and managing clinics for difficult prosthetic cases, and his commitment to improving prosthetics has placed him at the forefront of numerous prosthetic breakthroughs.

Kevin is an American Board Certified Prosthetist and has been named a Fellow of the American Academy of Orthotics and Prosthetics, one of the highest honors of the profession. He is the co-developer of the patented Hanger ComfortFlex™ Socket System and the first prosthetic tail for Winter – the dolphin featured in the movie, “DolphinTale.”

Kevin’s guiding philosophy is simple: people first. By listening to each person’s thoughts and concerns, and understanding their unique situations, he has found a sure path to assisting people in their rehabilitation. He specializes in the care of older adults and has a degree in gerontology, enhancing his expertise in this area.

He is a member of the International Society for Prosthetics and Orthotics, a professional advisor for the Amputee Coalition, a member of the National Association of Professional Geriatric Care Managers, and a member of the British Association of Prosthetics and Orthotics (BAPO).

Kevin’s practice began in his native country of Ireland in 1978 at the National Medical Rehabilitation Center in Dublin. In 1984, he moved to the United States, and later became Vice President of Prosthetics for Nova Care Sabolich, and then Vice President of Lower Extremity Prosthetics for Hanger Clinic. He has since appeared on many news broadcasts such as Dateline, 20/20, CBS Early Show, NBC Nightly News, ABC’s Good Morning America, and the Discovery Channel.

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I am an engineer interested in human-centered device design and control for dynamic systems that physically interact with their users (e.g., assistive devices or wearable technology). My approach is translationally focused, emphasizing creative and practical solutions to real world problems. My work addresses such problems through both the applied design of assistive devices as well as the development of new tools and approaches that widen the landscape of potential future technologies. My work integrates concepts and techniques from disciplines including machine design, dynamic system modeling, optimization, biomechanics, and control theory to develop technologies that are deployable in the real world.

Although born with a degenerative neuromuscular disorder, Charcot-Marie-Tooth, I'd rarely had an opportunity to engage with disabled peers until nearing the end of high school. It was then that I attended the Governor's Youth Leadership Forum for students with disabilities and met an amazing group of people, my people. I was determined my career path would give back to my community and that I would be a provider who served with empathy and compassion. While completing my bachelor's in engineering I discovered the field of Rehabilitation Engineering which would allow me to mesh my technical skillsets into service for the disability community.

In my 12 years as a Rehab Engineer I had the opportunity to work one on one with people to support their goals through the implementation of assistive technology systems and solutions. I enjoyed working with individuals in their school and work environments to ensure they could utilize their abilities for success. I also found my passion for accessible home design to increase safety, independence, and access for families experiencing access barriers. My experience led me to instruct the design and construction of my own accessible home and I, of course, added accessible gardening to the features!

In the last couple of years I was able to step into roles that have allowed me to stretch and grow professionally. While providing direct services, I took an opportunity to assist Alabama's Assistive Technology Act program with revitalization of services that increase access to and knowledge of assistive technology and soon had the opportunity to accept the role as director of the program. Development of our program, named Accessing Potential Through Assistive Technology, has been the passion project of my career. It has been a great honor to collaborate with some of the best AT professionals in Alabama to expand the capacity of our state to provide assistive technology services.

Wayne van Halem founded The van Halem Group in 2006. The Atlanta-based firm merged with VGM Group in 2014 and Wayne currently serves as its President as they assist providers navigate complex regulatory issues including audits, appeals, enrollment issues, and compliance matters. As a CMS contractor for 10 years, he spent a majority of that time as a fraud investigator and national Appeals Director. Wayne is also a published author and well-known lecturer. He is an Accredited Healthcare Fraud Investigator through the National Health Care Anti-fraud Association (NHCAA); a Certified Fraud Examiner through the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE), and an active member of the Health Care Compliance Association (HCCA). He has served on the faculty for each of these national organizations. He also sits on the American Association for Homecare’s Regulatory Council, Medtrade’s Educational Advisory Board, Medicare DME MAC Jurisdiction D Advisory Council, Advisory Board for HME Business Magazine, and Board of Directors for Friends of Disabled Adults and Children (FODAC) and the Georgia Association of Medical Equipment Suppliers (GAMES). He has also served as an expert in various criminal and civil proceedings. Since 2006, his company has saved clients over $130 million in overpayments and denial recoveries.