Practitioners

No challenge is too great for the skilled specialists who work as a team at Westcoast Brace & Limb (WCB&L). In fact, you could say we specialize in the most challenging cases, using our imagination and technology to benefit patients who may otherwise resume less function. We believe our team approach, sincere caring and persistence make all the difference in the world for our patients. From what we hear, our patients think so too.

We're proud to say, that the specialists at WCB&L are some of the best in the world. Staff members are carefully chosen for their education, experience, proven skills and compassion. Many are multi-cultural and bilingual, and they all share our commitment to meeting each patient's goal for comfortable fit, lightness of weight, function and appearance. And, since our orthotic and prosthetic devices are designed and produced within our facility, we have total control over quality, no matter if it's a standard arch support or a custom-made, high-tech myoelectric arm.

Meet Some Of The Practitioners

Greg Bauer, C.P.O., L.P.O. Greg Bauer is a certified and licensed prosthetist/othotist and president of Westcoast Brace & Limb. He received his Bachelor of Science degree in Entrepreneurial Studies from Babson College in 1995. He studied both Orthotics and Prosthetics at California State University where he received degrees in both disciplines. He has received certificates for CLeg Systems, Utah Arm, Myobock Upper Extremity, Advanced training in Silicone Restoration, Advanced training in Carbon Fabrication, Oregon Orthotic Systems, and for various designs of scoliosis bracing. He specializes in Upper Extremity prosthetics, specifically with myoelectrics and silicone restoration. He is currently starting a research project that evaluates the effects of bracing pectus carinatum with a brace Westcoast Brace and Limb designed. He currently is on the St. Petersburg Orthotic and Prosthetic Advisory Board to the college as well as a Board Member and Treasurer of Self Reliance. He is also a speaker for a variety of CEU approved courses for Physical/Occupational therapists as well as Case Managers If you are interested in credits or have any other questions, please contact him at gbauer@wcbl.com.
Les Bauer, C.O., L.O. Les Bauer is a certified and licensed orthotist and director of Westcoast Brace & Limb. He received his Bachelor of Science degree in 1966 from Curry College and a Medical Technology degree from Princeton Hospital in 1967. He studied orthotics at New York University. He became certified in orthotics through the American Board of Certification in 1975. Les worked with his father, Jules Bauer who also was an orthotist, until 1981 at which time he founded Westcoast Brace & Limb. Les has published numerous articles some of which include: "The Responsibility of Health Care," "Spinal Orthotics," "Exercise Regimen for Scoliosis" and "Pediatric Orthotics." Les developed the Inflatable LumboSacral Orthosis (ILSO), which is distributed nationwide by the PMT Corporation and the Kaliper Orthosis, which is used for tennis elbow. Les specializes in spinal, lower extremity and pediatric orthotics. You can reach Les Bauer at les@wcbl.com.
Mike Bertalan, C.O., L.O. Mike Bertalan is a certified and licensed orthotist and board eligible prosthetist. Mike worked as an orthotic technician as an undergrad at the University of Florida. He received is Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Florida in 2001. He completed the Northwestern University orthotic certificate program in 2002 and the prosthetic certificate program in 2004. He completed his orthotic and prosthetic residencies at Westcoast Brace & Limb.
Ellie Dias, C.P.O., L.P.O. Ellie Dias is a certified and licensed orthotist/prosthetist. She began working at Westcoast Brace & Limb in May 2001. Dias is originally from Brazil and she speaks both Portuguese and English. She graduated from University of Washington (UW) in 1996 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Orthotics and Prosthetics from UW. In 1994, as an undergraduate student, Dias worked at NovaCare Orthotics and Prosthetics in Denver, CO, as a technician assistant in prosthetic fabrication. After graduating in 1996, she made her first move to Florida to complete her Orthotic residency at Shands Hospital at the University of Florida in Gainesville. In 1997, she moved to Texas where she completed her prosthetic residency and worked as a Certified Prosthetist/Orthotist (CPO) at Rehab Designs of America. She is very experienced in working with all age groups and a variety of pathologies. Ellie specializes in pediatric orthotics, specifically the orthotic management of scoliosis and cranial remolding orthosis.
Jim Feulner, C.O., L.O. Jim Feulner is a certified and licensed orthotist. He graduated in 1994 from West Virginia University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Education and Athletic Training. He received his ATC certification. In 1996 he graduated from the Rancho Los Amigos Medical Center’s Orthotics program. He became a certified pedorthist in 1996 and in 1998 he became a certified orthotist by the American Board for Certification (ABC) in Orthotics and Prosthetics. Jim came to Westcoast Brace & Limb in 2005
Jason T. Kahle, C.P.O., L.P.O. Jason T. Kahle is a certified and licensed prosthetist/orthotist. He received his Bachelor of Science degree in Business in 1991 from Baldwin Wallace College in Berea, OH. He studied both prosthetics and orthotics at Northwestern University, and became certified in orthotics in 1993 and prosthetics in 1995. He came to Westcoast Brace & Limb in November 2000 from Hanger Prosthetics & Orthotics in San Diego, CA, where he worked for six years. As a CPO, Kahle has focused on research studies, writing articles and lecturing. In 1998 he received the Thranhardt Lecture Series award from the American Academy of Orthotists & Prosthetists (AAOP). This prestigious award is given out by the Academy to the best lecturer of the year. Kahle also has done extensive research on transtibial techniques, and most recently, he had an article about incorporating hydrostatic principal with interface design published in the Journal of Prosthetics and Orthotics (JPO). He is currently working on another research study, and he is always looking for physicians to work with on other prosthetic research publications. Jason specializes in lower extremity prosthetics.
Thomas (T.J) L. Johnson, B.O.C.O., L.O. T.J. is a licensed orthotist and has a Board of Certification in Orthotics. He attended both St. Petersburg Junior College and the University of Florida. T.J. began his career in orthotics in 1972 at Clearwater Limb and Brace. He remained at Clearwater Limb and Brace until 1998, which is when he decided to take a position at Westcoast Brace & Limb. T.J has attended a variety of specialized courses for LSOs, RGOs, Charleston Bending Brace and many more throughout his career. He also had the opportunity of working with Ralph Hooper, who developed the Charleston Bending Brace. With more than 25 years in the orthotics field, T.J has been able to train and manage a number of practitioners in fabrication, patient management and patient evaluation.
Walt Raynor, C.O., L.O. Walt Raynor is a certified and licensed orthotist. Walt received a Bachelor of Science in Orthotics and Prosthetics from Florida International University in 1995. He came to Westcoast Brace & Limb in 1995. Walt is certified by the American Board for Certification in Orthotics and Prosthetics and is licensed by the state of Florida. He is a member of the Florida Association of Orthotists and Prosthetists (FAOP).
Tom Sallen, C.O., L.O. Tom Sallen is a certified and licensed orthotist. Sallen received his Orthotist Certificate from New York University in 1974. He came to Westcoast Brace & Limb in April 2000 from McCluney's Orthopedic & Prosthetics Services in Gainesville, FL. Sallen is a member of the American Board for Certification in Orthotics and Prosthetics and the Florida Association of Orthotists and Prosthetists.

Lee Greenberg, C.P.O., L.P.O.                                                  

Lee Greenberg is a certified and licensed prosthetist/orthotist.  He received his Bachelor of Science   degree in 1991 from Ohio University.  He studied both orthotics and prosthetics at Cal State             Dominguez Hills, where he received his Post-Graduate Degree in 1997, he then completed his          residency program with Hanger in Orlando, Florida.  He became certified in orthotics and prosthetics in 1999 and has worked the last 8 years for an Orthotic and Prosthetic Company in Orlando. 

Joel Wilch,C.P.O., L.P.O.

Joel Wilch is a certified and licensed prosthetist/orthotist.  He received his Bachelor of Science in Physical Education from Capital University, Ohio, in 1986, he then received his Post-Graduate Degree in Orthotics from Shelby State Community College, in 1988.  In 1997 he then went onto Cal State, Dominguez Hills, where he received his Post-Graduate Degree in Prosthetics.  He completed his residency program at the University of North Carolina at Memorial Hospital.  He became certified in Orthotics in 1990 and in Prosthetics in 1999 from the American Board of Certification.