Andrew Whittle

What do you like most about being a clinician? I like the fact that I can see lots of people in the morning, hearing their stories and finding out their needs and goals, and then I can spend the whole afternoon out the back using my hands to make something completely unique and custom to suit.

What did you do before becoming a clinician? Worked at McDonalds!

What’s your specialty? I don’t really consider that I have a speciality, I have been fortunate enough to do a bit of everything. I have worked a lot with micro-processor knees and I am passionate about improving the socket fit by learning and teaching new techniques.

What do you do when not at work? Spend time with my family, preferably doing something outdoors. I love my vegie garden and that’s where you will find me early in the morning.

Mark George

What do you like most about being a clinician? I like that we get to help people every single day. Seeing someone walk for the first time after amputation or seeing someone gain independence and mobility from a orthotic device that we have supplied or have custom made is very rewarding.

What did you do before becoming a clinician? I completed a Bachelor of Applied Science – Human Movement degree after finishing high school, but never found the right career fit. I travelled, lived overseas and worked a variety of different jobs before going back to university at the age of 30 to study the Masters in Prosthetic and Orthotics.

What’s your specialty? I have found in my time as a Prosthetist/Orthotist that I have a leaning towards prosthetics. I enjoy the challenge and find it very rewarding coming up with solutions to often very difficult cases.

What do you do when not at work? I enjoy getting outside in nature, and although I don’t do it nearly enough I really enjoy going on hikes in out of the way places with no one else around.

Jude Doherty

What do you like most about being a clinician? It is an extremely rewarding role. I enjoy sharing in my patient’s journeys, helping improve mobility and ultimately their changing lives for the better. It can be very humbling to realise that my help has been a crucial part of their journey.

What did you do before becoming a clinician? I have always had an avid interest in human anatomy, physiology and movement. I completed a Bachelor of Science in Anatomy and Structural biology and later studied Osteopathy. My studies inspired me to come to Australia to complete my Masters in Clinical Prosthetics and Orthotics at La Trobe University. My arduous journey of education was intertwined with hard labour and hospitality roles to fund a multitude of intrepid journeys around surfing and snowboarding.

What’s your specialty? After my graduation as a clinician, I was employed in New Zealand where I was fortunate to have access to a technologically advanced computer suite and a wealth of traditional knowledge in the form of my colleagues. I immersed myself in digital 3D capture and computer aided design of prosthetics and orthotics. I believe one of my specialties is bridging the industries traditional and future techniques.

What do you do when not at work? I am kept busy as a proud father of three. I thoroughly enjoy the beauty of the Illawarra region and how spoilt it is for beaches. 

Lewis Toffolo


What do you like most about being a clinician? The hands on aspect of being around a workshop and using my hands, whilst also being able to interact with our clients and see out assistive product help them lead a better life.

What did you do before becoming a clinician? Worked as poker machine technician for a local RSL.

What’s your specialty? I find myself enjoying prosthetics more however have become more exposed to orthotics recently which is winning me over.

What do you do when not at work? I enjoy collecting vinyls and recreational DJing. 

Maggie Elliott

What do you like most about being a clinician? I love being able to work with people. P&O to me is a combination of arts, anatomy, biomechanics, healthcare, technology, research and problem solving. I get to use all these interest to provide a service in custom made devices and care to improve quality of life. I am fortunate to be able to work in not only a progressive industry but also a very progressive company, always at the forefront of technological advancements and ongoing professional development. I love that every client I see is different, with each case teaching me something new.

What did you do before becoming a clinician? I studied at university for 5 years and travelled before I started my role. I have spent a lot of that time moving across Australia and studying at various Universities to find my career, I started off in exercise science/nutrition which influenced my interest in biomechanics then into P&O.

What’s your specialty? I am still finding my speciality! I have found myself falling into more prosthetics due to seeing more of this cliental since starting my P&O career, but I also have a keen interest in filling service gaps and developing a more holistic focused health care service within the industry for amputees. 

What do you do when not at work? Outside of work I am flying between outdoor ventures, art, live music, my vegetable patch, cycling, travel and pot luck gatherings. I volunteer with a local social enterprise called Hidden Harvest that works towards educating people on minimising their food waste through workshops, events and “pay-as-you-feel” community dinners that we run fortnightly with the surplus of fruit/vegetables donated from local producers. 

Katie Lim

What do you like most about being a clinician? The thing I enjoy most about being a clinician is the opportunity to make a difference in someone’s life; being able to help and support my clients in effective and meaningful ways.

What did you do before becoming a clinician? Prior to becoming a clinician here in Southern Prosthetics and Orthotics I worked as a clinician in England. Prior to that I was a student, studying in Sydney for my primary and secondary education and in Melbourne for my tertiary. 

What’s your specialty? I enjoy both prosthetics and orthotics and still finding out which areas I want to specifically specialise in. In previous clinics I have worked in lower limb orthotics, especially clients who have had a stroke or have cerebral palsy or multiple sclerosis. 

What do you do when not at work? Outside of work I enjoy sewing and crocheting, as well as playing video and tabletop games. 

Harry Symons

What do you like most about being a clinician? My favourite part about being a clinician is being a able to change people’s lives for the better through our prosthetic and orthotic solutions. Seeing the smile on a patient’s face as they take their first few steps and realise that they are on the path to becoming more independent and mobile in their day-to-day life, reminds me of why I chose this profession.

What did you do before becoming a clinician? Mostly studying to get my degree that will allow me to be a clinician. I also worked various part time jobs (e.g. McDonald’s) that I’m very grateful to have been able to leave behind!

What’s your specialty? At this early point in my career, I would say my specialty is moulding and finishing lower limb sockets and AFO’s. In my first year of employment I am doing mostly technician work and, while it has taken a lot of work, I feel like practicing these skills everyday has helped me to be able to make a pretty nice looking/functional device!

What do you do when not at work? When I’m not at work, I like to go to the gym or go for a run, play basketball, cook a nice meal or watch YouTube/Netflix. I also DJ and play drums, two things that I am passionate about and am lucky enough to be able to perform most weekends. Since I am originally from Melbourne, I also love having the opportunity to go home and visit all of my friends and family there whenever I can.