Melissa McEwin, CO Certified by the American Board of Certification in Orthotics and Prosthetics, Melissa is an orthotics practitioner at Strive O&P. A native of Michigan, she received a B.S. in Interdisciplinary Health Services with focus in Occupational Therapy at Western Michigan University. Following the completion of her undergraduate degree, she sought training through the American Red Cross to become a Certified Nursing Assistant, pursuing her passion for striving to improve her patient’s quality of life. As a rehabilitation assistant, Melissa gained experience working with patients who had suffered traumatic brain injuries. While following her path, Melissa had the opportunity to work with several patients utilizing various orthotic and prosthetic devices, sparking her interest in O&P. Perceiving the possibility of making such immediate and dramatic improvements in a patient’s functionality changed the trajectory of her career. Pursuing this new path, Melissa traveled to Chicago to complete the Orthotics Program at Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine where she met her husband, Matt. Following graduation at Northwestern, she traveled to St. Paul, Minnesota to gain experience as a volunteer at Gillette Children’s Specialty Healthcare Hospital. While at Gillette, Melissa discovered her passion and love of working with children and their growing needs. Melissa concluded her residency at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, advancing her knowledge and expertise with a large variety of pediatric presentations as well as working with some of the top pediatric Orthopedic and Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation practitioners in the country. Her experience at CHOP has proven to be invaluable and is a contributing factor to her proficiency as an orthotist. Melissa is an amazing mother and loves to spend time with family, friends and their puppy Chi :)