Education in Motion

Faith Brown - Sunrise Medical UK & Éire

OT, MSc Health Research - Clinical & Education Lead

Faith Brown is an HCPC-registered occupational therapist with over 20 years of international experience in the field of seating and mobility including the British National Health Service, as well as the private and NGO sectors. She has worked with all ages and levels of complexity, including leading an NHS special seating division.

She is a research champion for the Royal College of Occupational Therapists and has a history of lifelong professional development. Her post-qualification education includes a postgraduate certificate in Postural Management for People with Complex Disabilities from Oxford Brookes University, an MSc in Health Research Methods from the University of Birmingham (UK) and completion of an engineering module in wheelchair design at the University of San Francisco.

She enjoys integrating field experience and evidence-based information along with concepts from facilitation and design.

Amy Bjornson - Sunrise Medical Australia

BS, MPT, ATP, SMS - Clinical Education Manager - Asia Pacific

Based in Sydney, Australia, Amy currently develops and implements national and international training programs on using Assistive Technology to enhance inclusion, health, and well-being in those with physical disabilities. She also serves a product improvement and development role for Sunrise Medical Australia.

Amy focuses on providing sound solutions that create positive results, even in challenging environments. She consistently implements innovative ideas focused on improving the lives of people with disabilities. She assisted with foundation of Australia's chapter of GoBabyGo, a charitable organization dedicated to early mobility for very young children.

Amy is a dynamic speaker who has lectured extensively on seating and mobility, wound management, and the physical therapy treatment of spinal cord injured clients. She has also traveled to several developing countries, learning and sharing information with their medical communities.

Amy received her ATP certification in 1995, SMS certification in 2015, and Australian Physiotherapy certification in 2018. She is a friend of NRRTS and a member of RESNA. She is an active member of Wheelchairs for Humanity, Health Volunteers Overseas, and offers technology support to Hidden Treasures Home, Fuzhou China.

Amy is an avid cyclist and appreciates the beautiful coastline of Sydney, but still misses the mountains and snow of Colorado.

Jessica Presperin Pedersen - Sunrise Medical USA

OTD, MBA, OTR/L, ATP/SMS - Director of Clinical Education - North America

With over 40 years of clinical practice as an OT, Jessica Presperin Pedersen has worked in all sectors of the wheelchair and seating industry as a master clinician, supplier, manufacturing consultant, design representative, and educator. Jessica started the first seating clinic in Chicago in the 1980s and continues to be involved in research, focusing on postural supports and power wheelchairs.

She is a RESNA and AOTA Fellow, serves on the Clinician Task Force, the seating and Wheeled Mobility Committee for AOTA, and has shared her experiences internationally through publications and presentations. Jessica loves to take advantage of what Chicago has to offer in food, sites, and entertainment, but also enjoys hikes through the local forest preserves and along the lake.

Federico Rizza - Sunrise Medical Italy

Clinical & Product Specialist - Occupational Therapist (OT)

Based in Italy, Federico graduated with a bachelor of Health Sciences (Occupational Therapy) degree from University of Pavia in 2017. He is the youngest Occupational Therapist that joins this Sunrise Medical Clinical Team, he is a talented and brilliant clinician despite his young age. He gained experience with a lot of internships in different facilities, being able to see different clinical realities, from spinal units to neurological rehab, working with blind or visually impaired patients always targeting independence in ADLs.

Federico is now one of the Product Specialists for Sunrise Medical Italy, his focus is manual wheelchairs, pediatric, and seating & posture. With his creativeness he supplies relative lack of experience, and thanks to his determination he keeps growing knowledge day by day, and is now ready to share his ideas with others to keep the learning process going.

Federico has lots of interests in his spare time, passing from skiing through steep mountains to surfing rolling waves under a sunset sky.

Leonie Vinchhi - Sunrise Medical Germany

OT - Clinical Advisor

After finishing her Bachelor's of Occupational Therapy, Leonie has gained four years of experience within neurology and geriatric specializations. She has a further three years of experience in spinal cord injury early rehabilitation, supporting people in their first progression from bedridden to mobilizing independently, including advising on wheelchair choice and adjustments at home.

At Sunrise Medical, Leonie works with health insurers to understand how to justify their clients' wheelchair needs. She is also involved in building the clinical education portfolio for the German market.

Leonie lives in the Heidelberg area with her daughter and enjoys her passion for cooking and plants.

Alexandre Marechal - Sunrise Medical France

OT - Key Account Manager

As an occupational therapist specializing in the treatment of spinal cord injuries, Alexandre joined the Sunrise Medical France team as a product specialist before taking up his current position as Key Account Manager. His aim is to use the experience he has gained in his various roles and his vision as a therapist to offer quality advice and support to distributors, prescribers, and clients.

Yuting Cheng - Sunrise Medical China

MS, PT, ATP - Clinical Education Manager

Yuting joined Sunrise Medical in 2020. She is the primary contact of the clinical education training program for China. She was trained as a Physical Therapist in Taiwan in 2006 and received her master degree of Rehabilitation Science and Technology at University of Pittsburgh in 2014.

Currently based in Shanghai, Yuting has over 13 years of experience to serve people with disabilities, including complex rehab evaluation, implementation, equipment fitting, and outcome measurement in the United States, Taiwan, and China. She was also a trained equipment technician for a special education school for fitting, maintenance, and equipment repair.

Yuting is a huge believer that assistive technology can improve people's lives and is a hands-on person willing to learn new things.

She enjoys playing badminton and hiking with friends in her spare time.

Yvonne Ammerant - Sunrise Medical Netherlands

Human Kinetic Engineer & Product Manager

Since completing her degree in Human Kinetic Engineering in 2005, Yvonne has been working in the wheelchair industry and has been with Sunrise Medical since 2011. Over the years, she has gained a lot of practical experience and further expanded her knowledge by attending seating symposia such as ESS and ISS.

She is currently working as a product manager and has gained a lot of product knowledge in that position. By combining her extensive product knowledge with physiological and practical knowledge, she is well placed to provide clear explanations for practical problems during training. The training sessions Yvonne gives are very clear, lively, and practice-oriented.

Arnaud Hundepool - Sunrise Medical Netherlands

Human Kinetic Engineer & Product Manager

Arnaud has been working at Sunrise Medical since 2008. After years of working as a product specialist, he now applies this acquired knowledge and experience in his role of product manager. From a young age, Arnaud has had a passion for everything technical. His background as a human kinetic engineer enables him to combine physiological knowledge with his technical insight.

Arnaud's trainings are characterized by a high degree of practical examples, bringing the subject matter to life in an enthusiastic way.

In his spare time, Arnaud likes to spend time with his family. The barbeque is often lit even in winter and he can regularly be found on the golf course.

Hiroto Hayashi - Sunrise Medical Japan

BS, BEC, RPT, MPH - Clinical Educator

Hiroto is based in Japan, where he earned his bachelor's degree of Science in physical therapy. He has over 13 years of clinical experience working with neuromuscular disease and paediatric populations. He focused especially on utilising assistive devices and modalities to improve mobility and function for his patients.

He has a passionate drive to better people's lives and is currently running around Japan, training clinicians and dealers on seating intervention. Hiroto loves interacting and cooperating with dealers, clients, clinicians, and anyone related to seating and assistive technology to provide solutions to physical challenges.

He has a balanced track record of integrating research and evidence to clinical practice and is both a research committee member within the International Organisation of Physiotherapists in Paediatrics, the Japan Society of Physical Therapy for Pediatrics, and is also a Japanese Duchenne muscular dystrophy physical therapy guideline member.

Previously being appointed to the medical team for the national and junior Paralympic Cerebral Palsy football team, he enjoys holding out and participating in enlightenment activities for adaptive sports and activities such as CP soccer and Frame football (for people who use walkers/crutches) outside of working hours.

Laura Finney - Leckey

PhD, MSc, BEng, ClinSci - Clinical & Marketing Director

Laura has more than 20 years of experience in pediatric disability. After gaining a Master's and PhD in Clinical Engineering from Strathclyde University, she pursued a clinical career in the NHS as a Clinical Scientist specializing in adaptive equipment provision for children. Laura now enjoys the dual world of product development and pediatric therapy.

Laura's passion is in applying a biomechanical approach to the problem-solving of human-product interfaces with the ultimate goal of encouraging movement and restoring natural function.

Rebekah Moynihan - Leckey

Physiotherapist

Rebekah graduated from the University of Nottingham in 2012 with a degree in Physiotherapy. She completed her junior rotations in both adult and children's physiotherapy in Nottinghamshire County before specializing as a Pediatric Physiotherapist in 2014.

Rebekah has a special interest in neuromuscular conditions and also the management of hip displacement in children with Cerebral Palsy.

James Gilmour - Leckey

Occupational Therapist

James graduated from the University of Ulster in 2016 with a BSc in Occupational Therapy. Before joining Leckey in 2017, James worked in the NHS Pediatrics covering schools, the community, and clinics.

As part of the Leckey Clinical Team, James works closely with the designers to create clinically innovative products.

James's passion lies with specialized seating and upper limb therapies for children with Cerebral Palsy.

 

Sarah Leonard - Sunrise Medical USA

PT, DPT, ATP - Clinical Education Manager

Sarah Leonard PT, DPT, ATP joins the Sunrise Medical Education Team as a physical therapist specializing in neuro rehab with experience in spinal cord injury and brain injury rehabilitation.

As a PT, Sarah has trained under industry-leading professionals who fostered her love for complex rehabilitation technology.

As an ATP, Sarah has experience working for a national complex rehabilitation technology supplier.

Additionally, Sarah presently serves as the assistant coach for the United States Wheelchair Rugby Association Low Point Team and has been an active participant in adaptive sports and recreation throughout her career.

Sarah brings her clinical experience, knowledge of wheelchairs and seating, and passion for education to our Education Team.

Karla Sonderland - Sunrise Medical USA

MS, OTR/L - Clinical Education Manager - US Midwest

Karla Sonderland graduated with a master's degree in Occupational Therapy from the University of Mary in North Dakota. She has 20 years of experience with a focus on individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

She brings to the team her knowledge and understanding of providing 24-hour care to individuals with multiple caregivers as well as helping individuals transition to alternate living arrangements with optimal assistive technology to ensure their safety and participation.

Karla lives with her husband and three children in Iowa and manages the Midwest Clinical Education program.

Toni Taylor - Sunrise Medical Canada

Clinical Education Manager - Canada

Toni Taylor as been practicing as an occupational therapist for 29 years, and has worked in both Canada and the United States. She is currently the Clinical Education Manager for Canada.

Toni has extensive experience with neuro rehabilitation and is passionate about finding the most appropriate mobility device for each individual so that they can maximize their level of independence.

Toni is also certified in driver rehabilitation and has a special interest in user safety with power mobility operation, transit safety, as well as community, home, and vehicle access.

Mayari Solórzano-Chavez - Sunrise Medical Latin America

BA, BHScOT, MHM, OT Reg. (Ont.) - Clinical Educator

Maya has been with Sunrise Medical since May of 2014. She is the primary contact and Clinical Educator for Latin America. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Therapy in 2006 from the University of Costa Rica. She worked five years for one of the biggest distributors of medical equipment Costa Rica ordering and delivering complex rehab products. This gave her the opportunity to position people of all ages, diagnose, and respond to their postural needs.

In 2011, Maya moved to the United States and obtained her ATP certification from RESNA and worked as an ATP before joining the team at Sunrise Medical. During her career with Sunrise, she has had the opportunity to deliver clinical sessions to physicians, PTs, and OTs in Brazil, Argentina, Costa Rica, Colombia, Uruguay, and other countries in the region in their own language. She also trains dealers on Sunrise Medical products and systems as well as informs them when new products are launched.

When not busy improving people's lives with complex rehab technology, she is a mother of two adorable children. She likes to exercise and go for fun adventures with her husband and kids to the beautiful mountains of the Central Valley in California.

Dan Critchfield - Sunrise Medical USA

ATP - Technical Education Director

Dan Critchfield has worked in the complex rehab industry for over 30 years. His education includes Electronics and Business Development. Over the past 30 years, Dan has worked as a field and bench tech repairing electronics.

He spent several years as a test engineer conducting ANSI/RESNA and ISO standardized testing. Dan also led Sunrise Medical as a Power Product Manager and is currently a technical educator. Dan works out of the Fresno, CA manufacturing location where QUICKIE power wheelchairs are built.

Dan enjoys working with his hands and building and restoring anything with a motor or engine.

Kelly Honeycutt - Sunrise Medical USA

Technical Trainer

Kelly Honeycutt has worked in the Durable Medical Equipment and Complex Rehab Technology industries for 12 years. His background includes experience as a Senior DME Technician for multiple vendors in the greater Phoenix area, a Logistics Lead Technician for the largest hospital system in Arizona, and a Senior Field Technician for a national rehab technology vendor.

Kelly's career has spanned a multitude of different DME/CRT products and manufacturers, and places a strong emphasis on customer service and quality of knowledge in the field technician space.

Kelly brings years of real world field repair and service experience to Sunrise Medical to help develop the best, most durable equipment available on the market.

He is an avid outdoorsman and enjoys exploring remote locations with his dog, as well as having fun with anything with a motor that goes fast.