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Get to Know our Staff: Steve Ronde, Orthotics and Prosthetics

Get to Know our Staff: Steve Ronde, Orthotics and Prosthetics

by | May 23, 2023 | Spotlight

What is your job title/your role at Scottish Rite for Children?
My role is to provide the best orthotic and prosthetic care to children and adolescents.

What do you do on a daily basis or what sort of duties do you have at work?
I see patients from different prosthetic and orthotic clinics and make decisions, along with the physicians and other auxiliary staff members, regarding the patient’s prosthetic and orthotic care. I help choose what componentry and designs are necessary for the patient, and then I will cast and measure them for their special device, which is custom-made for them. I also interact with my prosthetic and orthotic colleagues and consult with them to create a prosthesis or orthosis that will best benefit the patient.

What was your first job? What path did you take to get here or what led you to Scottish Rite? How long have you worked here?
I worked on my dad’s farm in North Dakota, so I spent many days out in the fields on a tractor and doing different farm chores for raising crops and livestock. I really miss the outdoor part of farm life. After graduating from high school, I enlisted in the U.S. Air Force and received training in the Air Force in orthotics. After the Air Force, I moved to Lubbock, Texas, and went to Texas Tech University and graduated with a degree in zoology. I then decided to continue my schooling in orthotics in Los Angeles and later went to school in Chicago for prosthetics. When I graduated from Northwestern University’s prosthetic program, I saw an ad for a position in orthotics at Scottish Rite for Children posted at the school in Chicago. I checked into the position, and at the time, there were not any openings at Scottish Rite. They told me they would keep in touch when something did become available. I worked in a prosthetic/orthotic facility in Fargo, ND, for one year before Scottish Rite contacted me about an open position in orthotics, and I accepted that position. I have now been at Scottish Rite for 37 years and presently focus on prosthetics.

What do you enjoy most about Scottish Rite?
Getting to work with patients who need prostheses from a very young age and being able to provide their continuity of care until they become adults. I also enjoy the positive feedback from both the patients and their families, and I love watching them grow up, mature and become successful in their lives as an adult. This would be the primary reason why I enjoy my work at Scottish Rite!

Tell us something about your job that others might not already know?
Many patients throughout my time at Scottish Rite have made a huge impact on my life. They go on to do amazing things, and I have appreciated being a part of their successes by helping them with their mobility.

Where is the most interesting place you’ve been?
The most interesting place I have been to is Peru, and how I went there is an interesting story! I had been providing prosthetic care to a patient named Alberto who came from Peru to be treated at Scottish Rite for Children. During his multiple appointments at Scottish Rite, I got to know his family very well and they invited me to visit them in Peru. Because I was single at the time, I accepted their invitation to visit them. It was there that I met Alberto’s Aunt Rocio and developed a friendship with her, and she eventually became my wife. On my first trip to Peru, I was able to visit Machu Picchu and also travel down the Amazon River. We went fishing on the Amazon and caught piranhas and had fried fish and piranha soup. What is so amazing about Peru are all the historical sites and culture that the country provides.

What is your favorite game or sport to watch and play?
My favorite sport to watch and play is football. Patrick Mahomes is my favorite player, and the Kansas City Chiefs is my favorite team. In high school, I played the position of middle linebacker  on defense and offensive tackle on offense.

If you could go back in time, what year would you travel to?
Anytime from 1865 to 1895 (prime years for the Wild West period.) I always wanted to be a cowboy!

What’s one fun fact about yourself?
I enjoy scuba diving and have been on a dive boat for a whole week in Belize. I also have been on dive trips to the Dominican Republic and experienced freshwater cave diving. I plan to have my daughter take scuba diving lessons so I will have a dive partner being that my wife is afraid of the water.

Get to Know our Staff: Lori Wendt, Center for Dyslexia

Get to Know our Staff: Lori Wendt, Center for Dyslexia

by | May 15, 2023 | Spotlight

What is your job title/your role at Scottish Rite for Children?
Dyslexia marketing and outreach associate

What do you do on a daily basis or what sort of duties do you have at work?
I have the privilege of representing Scottish Rite by marketing our new curricula. I do this by organizing exhibit space and presenting at conferences. I also assist with training for our curricula,Build and Bridges.

What was your first job? What path did you take to get here or what led you to Scottish Rite? How long have you worked here? 
My first job was at a store that sold different flavors of popcorn. I taught first grade and then worked for HIT Entertainment where I was responsible for the educational content and outreach for Barney & Friends,Thomas the Tank Engine, Angelina Ballerina and Bob the Builder on PBS. I returned to teaching and then started here at Scottish Rite one year ago!

What do you enjoy most about Scottish Rite? 
The positive energy and sense of hope are what I enjoy most about Scottish Rite.

Tell us something about your job that others might not already know? 
This job has brought my life full circle. My children were both diagnosed here with dyslexia. Now that they are 19 and 22, I see every day what a difference intervention makes. It makes me so proud to be part of the Center for Dyslexia!

Where is the most interesting place you’ve been? 
My husband and I took our four kids to Austria. We went to the most amazing, unique restaurant! You had to walk up a mountain to get there and then you rode a sled down after dinner. It was an amazing experience!

What is your favorite game or sport to watch and play? 
I love to watch football! My football-loving dad had three daughters, so we all grew up watching football with him!

If you could only eat one meal for the rest of your life, what would it be? 
Queso!

What’s one fun fact about yourself?
I am married to the voice of Barney the Dinosaur! I loved working with Barney so much that I married him!

Bike Safety Awareness

Bike Safety Awareness

by | May 5, 2023 | Spotlight

No matter where you live, biking is a great way to get outdoors and be active. Whether it’s for pleasure, to exercise or for commuting purposes, biking has numerous physical and mental benefits — the key is to do it safely.

“Biking is a low-impact resistance exercise that is great for building muscles, improving coordination and increasing mobility, but just like any physical activity, biking comes with risks. Bruises and minor cuts are usually the leading types of injuries involving bicycles, followed by fractures, concussions, muscle strains and sprains. You can significantly lower that risk by taking safety precautions and following the rules of the road,” said Amy L. McIntosh, M.D., FAAOS, orthopedic surgeon, and spokesperson for the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS).

May is National Bicycle Safety Awareness Month, which serves as a reminder of the importance of bicycle safety all year long. The AAOS shares the following information about bicycle injury prevention and strategies for how you and your family can stay safe.

Common bicycle injuries
There were more than 325,000 preventable bike-related injuries in the U.S. in 2020, according to the National Safety Council (NSC). Bruises and minor cuts are usually the leading types of injuries involving bicycles, followed by fractures, muscle strains and sprains. However, serious injuries, including death, do occur. According to the NSC, there were nearly 1,260 preventable bicycle-related deaths in 2020.

Helmet safety
No matter what your age or level of experience, you should wear a helmet every time you bike. Cuts, bruises and even broken bones will heal, but damage to your brain can be permanent. Even a low-speed fall can result in serious head injury.

When choosing a helmet, make sure it is:

  • Snug — It should not slide from side-to-side or front-to-back.
  • Level — It should be square on top of your head, covering the top of the forehead. It should not tilt in any direction.
  • Stable — The chin strap keeps the helmet from rocking in any direction. Chin straps should be replaced if any part of the buckle breaks. Otherwise, a helmet may fly off in an accident.

Road safety rules
When biking, it’s important to be aware of your surroundings and follow the rules of the road. Start by familiarizing yourself with the bicycle rules of the road in your city or state, and do not ride if you are looking at your phone or mobile device. Pull over to the side to change your music, check your map or answer a call. Ride in the direction of traffic and always follow traffic signs and lights. Signal your turns or your intentions so that drivers can anticipate your actions, and if you are riding with others, ride in single file.

“Staying alert and aware of your surroundings — even when traffic appears light — can help bicyclists to prevent musculoskeletal injuries,” added Dr. McIntosh.


Choose bike routes wisely
Avoid riding on high-traffic roads and instead select streets with fewer and slower cars. Whenever possible, choose streets with designated bicycle lanes. If there is not a bicycle lane, ride on the right shoulder of the road. When a street lane is too narrow for a vehicle and bicycle to safely ride side by side, or if there are several parked cars on the street, you will need to join traffic and ride toward the center of the road.

Pace yourself and prevent injuries
Cycling can be vigorous exercise, so make sure you are fit enough to participate before you start pedaling. Make sure you understand how to use the gears on your bike to help control your physical exertion level. Additionally, change riding positions periodically to reduce stress on pressure points and avoid overstressing muscles. Finally, stay hydrated by bringing water, especially on longer rides.

Supervise young riders
Whether it’s their first ride or they’ve been cycling for a few years, younger riders benefit from someone watching and advising them. Younger children or people just learning to ride should only do so away from moving vehicles and traffic. New riders may need reminders to avoid distracted cycling.

Visit the AAOS Newsroom to learn more about bike safety, injury prevention and find musculoskeletal facts and figures.

Get to Know our Staff: Sarah Dronzek, Registered Nurse

Get to Know our Staff: Sarah Dronzek, Registered Nurse

by | May 2, 2023 | Spotlight

Scottish Rite for Children attended the 2023 D Magazine Excellence in Nursing Awards, where Scottish Rite registered nurse Sarah Dronzek received an award in the Direct Care category. She and so many other nurses help make Scottish Rite a wonderful place to be for our patients and families. Learn more about Sarah:

How long have you worked at Scottish Rite? How long have you been a nurse?
I was a nurse extern here at Scottish Rite in the summer of 2014. I worked at Children’s Medical Center once I graduated from nursing school, but I came back to Scottish Rite as quickly as I could in September of 2016. I have been a nurse for eight years now.

What area do you work in?
I recently transferred from the inpatient unit to the surgery department. I now work in the Post-Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU).

What do some of your daily tasks look like?
As a PACU nurse, I take care of patients immediately post surgery. I closely monitor their vital signs, levels of consciousness, surgical sites and surgical lines and drains. I help treat pain and manage any adverse effects my patients might develop from surgery and/or anesthesia

What is your favorite thing about being a nurse at Scottish Rite?
I love our patient population and the ability to witness the amazing work our talented physicians perform to help give our kids back their childhood. Scottish Rite is such a wonderful organization, and it feels more like a second family than a workplace.

How does it feel to be recognized for the care you provide?
Words will never be able to describe how deeply honored I am to have received this award. It truly means the world to me, and it validates the dedication and hard work that I’ve put into my career as a nurse. I am astounded by the amount of support that I have received throughout the process of receiving this award, and I cannot thank my nominator enough for nominating me!

Get to Know our Staff: Marilyn Ambrose, Human Resources

Get to Know our Staff: Marilyn Ambrose, Human Resources

by | Apr 26, 2023 | Spotlight

What is your job title/your role at Scottish Rite for Children? 
I am the Talent Acquisitions Partner, and my role is to recruit the best talent possible for Scottish Rite for Children.
 
What do you do on a daily basis or what sort of duties do you have at work?
Interviewing candidates, talking to managers about their open positions, scheduling interviews, making offers and reviewing candidates in our system.
 
What was your first job?
My first job was at a dental office while in college.
 
What do you enjoy most about Scottish Rite?
I enjoy the staff and potential candidates, the families and the culture of the organization and mission.
 
Tell us something about your job that others might not already know?
You have to source candidates on the internet through LinkedIn and other avenues to find the best candidate.
 
Where is the most interesting place you’ve been?
Maui, Hawaii. I love the ocean and the people and the culture of Hawaii. The sea turtles and dolphins are amazing.
 
What is your favorite game or sport to watch and play?
I love to watch the Dallas Cowboys.
 
If you could go back in time, what year would you travel to?
1995 – the year my daughter was born.
 
What’s one fun fact about yourself?
I enjoy being at the beach, and I love to travel.
Get to Know our Staff: Teresa Brimer, Inpatient Nursing Unit

Get to Know our Staff: Teresa Brimer, Inpatient Nursing Unit

by | Apr 20, 2023 | Spotlight

How long have you worked at Scottish Rite for Children? How long have you been a nurse?
I have worked at Scottish Rite for 18 ½ years and have been a nurse for almost 23 years.

What area do you work in?
I have spent my entire career at Scottish Rite serving the Inpatient Nursing unit.

What do some of your daily tasks look like?
After spending 13 years as a clinical nurse manager serving the Inpatient unit, I recently transitioned to the Inpatient care coordinator position. I’m still learning my new role and am excited about the opportunity. I am responsible for coordinating and planning the inpatient stays of our long-term patients. I also meet with families on the unit at admission, discuss the plan of care and ensure their discharge needs are met before they go home. I collaborate with our phenomenal interdisciplinary team throughout each day.

What is your favorite thing about being a nurse at Scottish Rite?
The people are my favorite! I truly enjoy the people I work with daily. They feel like a part of my family. Likewise, the patients and families we care for on the Inpatient Unit also feel like family. It’s so fulfilling to be a small part in the incredible things we do to improve the lives of our pediatric patients. I’ve seen so many amazing patient transformations during my time at Scottish Rite. 

How does it feel to be recognized for the care you provide?
I am honored and humbled to be recognized as one of the Dallas-Fort Worth Great 100 Nurses for 2023. This award recognizes nurses for being role models, leaders, community servants, compassionate caregivers and significant contributors to the nursing profession. It is truly meaningful to be nominated by a highly respected peer, and I’m so grateful to work with the extraordinary team at Scottish Rite for Children.