Trine alumna enjoys making a difference

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.