Executive Committee (EC)

Dave Buchanan is the Group Training, Education and Development Manager for AM-Heathcare.

He graduated from Salford University in 1999 with a first class honours degree and a top student award.

He started his professional life as an Aircraft Engineer with the MOD and RAF. At that time he was a Party Leader in the RAF Mountain Rescue Service but unexpected life changes ended with him attending Salford University in 1995; And what turned out to be the best move of his life!

Since 2014 Dave has been at least partially responsible for some of the orthotic systems our profession uses around the world and has worked, and lived, around the Globe working for the biggest manufacturers and educators in the P and O sphere.

He speaks German, and actually taught his first Knee-Ankle-Foot-Orthosis course in his developing language only 8 months after beginning to learn it, whilst living in Germany. It wasn’t very good.

Dave’s clinically visible roles generally revolve around the support of people hoping to gain specialisation and expertise in Knee-Ankle-Foot Orthoses, Ankle-Foot-Orthoses and joint systems in the treatment of complex caseloads. But he has also presented internationally on the holistic and orthotic treatment of Osteoarthritis in both a clinical and developmental roles and continues to work in the R and D sphere, today, with a focus on composite technologies.

He also has the immense honour of being the first, and to date,  only practising Orthotist in the world to be admitted to the register of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow as a Fellow of the Faculty of Podiatric Medicine. As far as he knows, anyway.

Since 2010, Dave has had an intense and deepening interest in stance control orthoses and, subsequently, in developing the potential for stance stabilised KAFOS. Stance stabilised KAFOs are designed to stimulate neuroplastic development via normalisation of motion after certain types of insult, injury or illness.  This is an emerging practice which requires the support of research to generate evidence for or against such approaches.
Sport has always been extremely important to Dave, and he has managed a few briefly notable achievements in climbing, paragliding and mountain biking until working life stole his focus, completely.

He also has an Olympic Torch from 2012 in his office.

Dave is honoured to be a member of the Executive Committee, the Finance Committee and also Chair of the Education Committee.

Since graduating from the University of Salford with a bachelors in Prosthetics and Orthotics, Sahar has thoroughly enjoyed her work as both a Prosthetist and Orthotist in the Republic of Ireland, UK and USA. She particularly enjoys the challenges and nuances of neurorehabilitation and paediatrics. Since returning to the UK, she has provided ad hoc support to multiple clinics as a Locum Orthotist, as well as widening her clinical scope by taking on the role of a Registration Assessor for the HCPC.

Sophie graduated from Strathclyde in 1993 and with a PhD from Lancaster University in 2012.  After a few years in clinical work, she moved into education, teaching undergraduates on the prosthetics and orthotics degrees at the University of Salford and in Norway at Oslo Metropolitan University.  Sophie currently works at the School of Medicine, Newcastle University, teaching post-graduate health care professionals educational theory.  Her research interests are focused around education, and qualitative research. This is Sophie’s second time on the BAPO Executive Committee, having previously held the roles of Secretary, Vice Chair and Chair of the Association.

Robert graduated in 1985 from Paddington Robert, please confirm if this is Paddington University? and has predominantly worked in orthotics clinics throughout the southeast region of England. He possesses a strong passion for his profession and is committed to advancing the profession of prosthetics and orthotics.
 
As an orthotist, Robert has a specific interest in spinal bracing as well as in treating patients with neurological disorders, diabetes, and other complex medical conditions. In addition to his work in the United Kingdom, Robert provides orthotic services in clinics in Ghana, where he also supplies orthotic medical devices. Furthermore, Robert is the orthotist for the Broxbourne Borough Cerebral Palsy Football Club, contributing his expertise to support athletes.

I graduated from University of Salford in 2006 as a prosthetist/Orthotist.
Following my graduation I worked as an Orthotist in various companies ultimately becoming a clinical services manager in London and South East. In 2016 I started to work as a locum orthotist in London and South East region.

My clinical interests are paediatrics, neurological conditions and spinal corrections but cerebral palsy is especially close to my heart. I like teaching and I am involved in teaching clinical skills to new graduates following their employment post-graduation. I was a guest lecturer at University of Salford on the same subject.

I am a keen hiker and enjoy being with nature whenever I manage to take a break from my busy clinical responsibilities.