By Nate Ware
Communication ’24
Marissa Shaver, after making a difference at Trine University, is now doing the same
in the lives of her patients.
Marissa said she majored in biomedical engineering “because I love learning about
the advancements in medical technology.” After her time at Trine ended in 2021, she
applied and was accepted to the orthotics and prosthetics (O&P) program at Eastern
Michigan University.
While pursuing her undergraduate studies, her appreciation for hands-on work with
patients grew. In spring 2020, Marissa was part of a senior design group that created
prosthetics for young girls. During the design process, COVID-19 brought the country
to a halt, but the group persevered to finish their product.
“That project gave me some perspective to what the field of O&P is and the scope of
practice because we were able to perform the evaluation, formulate a treatment plan,
fabricate the devices, perform a fitting and perform outcome measures, which are all
things I do on a daily basis while working in O&P,” she said.
In addition to the knowledge she attained at Trine, she also gained invaluable exposure
to the importance of the work she does.
She said she learned “to improve people’s quality of life” during her time at Trine
and has carried that saying with her, applying it to her work.
Marissa now works at Prevail Prosthetics and Orthotics in Fort Wayne, Indiana, as
an orthotic resident.
The responsibilities of her role include designing and fabricating orthopedic and
prosthetic devices, interviewing and assessing patients’ specific needs, briefing
on treatment plans, and taking impressions of patients.
Marissa plans to be dual certified in O&P by the summer of 2025. She also would like
to be a residency mentor to aid other residents., all in hopes of continuing on her
path of improving the lives of her patients.