OWNER
RUSSELL BOONE, BOCP, LP-AR
Texas native, Russell Boone earned his bachelor's degree in Biology from the University of the Houston in 1994. In 2003, Russell became a certified BOCP Prosthetist and in 2005 became a state licensed Prosthetist. In 2005 Russell began traveling to third world countries treating amputees that have no prosthetic resources. That same year Russell Boone and Robert Draeger decided they wanted to create a unique Orthotic and Prosthetic company. They formed New Life Brace and Limb, LLC and in 18 years they have become an industry leader in Orthotics and Prosthetics and have set a standard of unparalleled quality.
RETIRED
ROBERT DRAEGER, LPO, CPO, CPED
Bob Draeger was a Board-Certified Prosthetist, Orthotist and Pedorthist. He is co-founder of New Life Brace & Limb which originated in the Houston area with four locations throughout the Southeast region, one location in San Antonio, Texas and one clinic in Trinidad and Tobago. After attending Southwest Texas State University, he finished up at the University of Texas San Antonio. Bob completed his residency in San Antonio then moved to the Houston area attending clinics at The University of Texas Medical Branch. He has been in the field of orthotics and prosthetics for over 35 years and was not only licensed to practice in the State of Texas but also and in addition was an American Board Certifications in Orthotics/Prosthetics and Pedorthics.
EXPERTISE AND EXPERIENCE
Our practitioners possess extensive knowledge and training in orthotics and prosthetics, ensuring they use the latest techniques and best practices.
PATIENT-CENTERED CARE
We focus on personalized treatment plans, delivering compassionate and comprehensive care that supports and empowers our patients.
INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS
Committed to medical advancements, our team leverages cutting-edge technology to provide innovative solutions that enhance patients' quality of life.
CFO
CHRIS EHRHARDT
C-PED
Chris Ehrhardt began his career in orthotics and prosthetics in 1996, gaining over two decades of expertise in Durable Medical Equipment, wound care, orthotics, and prosthetics. He has represented leading orthotics manufacturers, including Don Joy, Bledsoe, Breg, and Ossur. Throughout his career, Chris has consistently prioritized patient care above all else. In 2014, he joined New Life Brace and Limb as our Marketing Liaison, where he has been instrumental in serving patients in The Woodlands, Conroe, and surrounding areas. As a trusted resource for physicians across the region, Chris ensures that patients are well-prepared and comfortable with their treatments and care. Chris is Certified through the American Board for Certification as a Pedorthist (Cped) and Orthotic Fitter (CFo). Outside of work, Chris enjoys golfing, fishing, grilling, and spending time with his family and friends.
CLINICAL MANAGER
BRENT WHITE
CPO, LPO
PRACTITONER
RYAN ADAMS
CPO, LPO
3D PRINTING / ORTHOTICS
PRESTON BOONE
C-PED
Preston Boone is a certified pedorthist and the lead designer at New Life Brace and Limb, where he specializes in creating custom foot orthotics using Fit Foot 360 and designing cosmetic covers for prosthetics through advanced 3D printing techniques. With expertise in Fusion 360 and ZBrush, Preston blends technical skill with artistic vision, ensuring each prosthetic cover is both functional and aesthetically pleasing. His dedication to enhancing mobility and comfort is reflected in the personalized care he provides to every patient, making him a key contributor to the innovation and success of New Life Brace and Limb.
PRACTITONER
BUD BRONKHORST
CO, LO
Arie "Bud" Bronkhorst, CO, LO. Mr Bronkhorst became a certified orthotist after completing the Orthotics and Prosthetics Program at Northwestern University. He subsequently helped establish the first Orthotics residency program in the Midwest associated with Northwestern. Mr Bronkhorst also attended Muskegon (Mich.) Community College. For 10 Years he served as staff orthotist at Hackley Hospital. He is a past director of orthotics at the Mary Freebed Hospital and Rehabilitation Center in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Mr Bronkhorst is a two-term past president of the Texas Association of Orthotics and Prosthetics, and the Certified Orthotic and Prosthetic Advocates, Inc. He is the author of a number of articles and publishes a quarterly newsletter, Orthotics Today. Mr Bronkhorst owns a patent for an orhtosis that inhibits tone in Cerebral Palsy children and close head injury patients. When not serving the amputee community, Bud likes to spend time with his wife Barbara and there three children and grandchild.
PRACTITONER
JAKE DOUGHERTY
CPO, LPO
Jake grew up in the Northwest, where he developed a passion for endurance sports like triathlons. During one race, he became deeply inspired by Para athletes when a double below-knee amputee beat his marathon time, sparking his interest in the field. He enrolled at Spokane Community College to pursue a Prosthetic/Orthotic Technician degree but quickly discovered his true passion was in patient care. Jake began working as an ABC Orthotic Fitter, serving local hospitals and an orthopedic clinic. While working full-time, Jake pursued a Management degree at Whitworth University, attending night classes. In 2016, he was accepted into Baylor College of Medicine, where he earned a Master's in Orthotics and Prosthetics. By 2018, he joined New Life Brace and Limb full-time. In his free time, Jake enjoys spending time with his family, road biking, weightlifting, and taking trips.
PRACTITONER
KEVIN GAINER
C-PED
Kevin Gainer C.PED, is a native Houstonian with a passion for others to physically be able to live their best life. Kevin Specializes in lower extremities specific to the foot and ankle. Kevin enjoys the practitioner side of the industry as well as hands on custom design. Kevin’s education background includes the University of Minnesota, University of Wisconsin and the Medical College of Pittsburg. Kevin has 30 + years experience in the field of foot orthotics, with knowledge in the area of 3D and CAD design. Kevin’s background history started in a shoe repair shop which expanded to custom boot making. Over the years, Kevin quickly realized the great need to help so many people do something that many of us take for granted, which is walking “pain free”. Kevin owned and operated his own business in order to meet the needs the needs of so many. He believes every foot is unique and deserves to be treated as such. Kevin enjoys spending time with his family, leading the groups at Church and mentoring young men.
PRACTITONER
MARK KIRCHNER
CPO, LPO
Mark Kircher is an ABC Board Certified Prosthetist/Orthotist, licensed in the state of Texas, has served on several professional committees, a previous business owner, having practiced for over 30 years. He specializes in prosthetic socket technology, scoliosis, and pediatric care.
PRACTITONER
WADAD LAHOUD
CPO, LPO
Wadad has a Bachelor's in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Houston and a Master's in Biomedical Engineering with a specialty in Orthotics and Prosthetics from Florida International University and the International Institute of O&P. Wadad (pronounced wa-dad), a Houston native, has a name that originates from Lebanon, where her parents were born and raised. Named after her grandmother, who founded and led the first and only blind and deaf school in Lebanon, Wadad draws inspiration from her grandmother's compassion and leadership. Her love for problem-solving and hands-on work led her to mechanical engineering, but she sought a more direct impact on people's lives, which she found in the Orthotics and Prosthetics field. During her undergraduate studies, she worked with a campus nonprofit that 3D-printed upper extremity prosthetics. In 2017, she began volunteering at Camp No Limits, which she considers the most amazing camp in the world. After completing her master's, Wadad underwent 24 months of clinical residency, gaining extensive experience in pediatric and adult orthotics, transfemoral socket design, and upper extremity prosthetics. She is driven by a passion for continual learning and a dedication to improving patient care.
PRACTITONER
TREVOR LEMASTER
CPO, LPO
Trevor is originally from Virginia and holds a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering from Virginia Tech and a Master of Science in Orthotics and Prosthetics from Baylor College of Medicine. He completed a rigorous 18-month residency program where he engaged in a wide array of patient encounters, including pediatric orthotics, veterans, and activity-specific prosthetics. Trevor was born with a limb difference that resulted in his right leg being significantly shorter than his left. Growing up, he wore a leg brace but decided to have his leg amputated when he was 12. He says that while this was a difficult decision, he knew it would better his life in the long run by allowing him to wear prosthetics. Trevor is a very active amputee. He has played lacrosse, wrestled, and completed a half marathon. He has also been involved in many adaptive sports programs, amputee support groups, and youth camps, as well as low-cost prosthetics. He is passionate about providing accessible and quality prosthetic and orthotic care to his patients. His motivation comes from his personal experience as an amputee and prosthetic user, and his desire to help others reach their ability and mobility goals.
PRACTITONER
MARIO MARINEZ
C-PED
Mario has been practicing Pedorthics since 1998 and joined our Conroe office in 2015. Since then, he has used his training and skills in orthopedics, podiatry, and wound care clinics helping thousands of patients over the years. Outside of the clinics, Mario is an avid outdoorsman who loves spending time with his three children.v
PRACTITONER
JESSE RETTELE
CPO, LPO
Jesse's journey began when he was 17 years old as a technician learning how to fabricate orthotic and prosthetic devices. Two years later he was asked to accompany a clinician to the patient room and assist in a prosthetic fitting. The client was a congenital (born without lower limbs) young boy suffering from limb loss that had never walked before. He had the opportunity of helping to fit the prostheses and the young boy stood for the first time, started walking, and then started running, and his whole family shed tears of joy while his heart swelled with satisfaction of helping change this young boy’s life in a way that he had not appreciated until having the experience of patient care. It was in that moment that he decided orthotics and prosthetics was the career for him and soon after attended Northwestern University in Chicago completing his certificate course work in orthotics and prosthetics. He completed a 2-year residency and has been practicing independent care since 2008. He continues his passion for providing orthotic and prosthetic care enabling those with physical limitations to accomplish their goals and maintain independent mobility.
PRACTITONER
JEREMY SHERMAN
MS, CPO, LPO
Jeremy was born and raised in Fort Worth, Texas. He graduated from the University of Texas in Austin with a mechanical engineering degree in 2008 and spent the following six years working in the oilfield before discovering the field of Orthotics and Prosthetics. Finding the field ignited a passion within him, allowing him to use his mechanical engineering background to find unique solutions for his patients to help them achieve their goals. Since then he returned to school, graduating with his Masters from Baylor College of Medicine in 2016. He has spent the majority of his time in the field working at Shriners Hospital for Children in Houston until it's move in 2020. Currently, he serves as an Assistant Professor at Baylor College of Medicine where he can pass his enthusiasm for the field on to new students and residents, and is pleased to work at the New Life Brace and Limb Conroe/Woodlands location once a week to continue being of service to patients in any way he can.
PRACTITONER
EMILY TULLY
CPO, LPO
Emily holds a Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Engineering from The University of Akron and a Master of Science in Orthotics and Prosthetics from Baylor College of Medicine. Hailing from Phoenix, Arizona, her passion for O&P was sparked in high school when her cross country coach, an amputee, inspired her to explore the field. This led her to shadow professionals and ultimately pursue a career dedicated to improving the lives of those in need of prosthetics and orthotics. Before transitioning to patient care, Emily gained valuable experience in the medical device industry, focusing on research and development for total knee and hip replacements. Her undergraduate years further fueled her interest in pediatrics after shadowing an orthotist involved in spina bifida clinics. Emily's residency journey was unique, spanning 18 months across five clinics in cities like NYC, Schenectady, Houston, Colorado Springs, and Phoenix. This diverse experience gave her exposure to a wide range of O&P environments, from institutional to clinic-based care. A highlight of her training was working alongside an upper limb specialist in NYC, where she gained hands-on experience in myoelectric design and protocols, enhancing her expertise in this specialized area.
PRACTITONER
MICHELLE YEGLIC
CPO, LPO
Originally from Alaska, Michelle is no stranger to San Antonio as she earned her undergraduate degree in Biomedical Engineering and played soccer at UTSA. During undergrad, Michelle shadowed at a local clinic and knew a career in O&P was the perfect blend of merging her passion for mobility with engineering. She earned her Master of Science in Orthotics and Prosthetics from Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, TX. She is passionate about helping people regain their independence and loves working with adaptive athletes. Michelle completed her Master’s thesis on Upper Limb Prosthetics and is very passionate about upper limb prosthetic care. Outside of work, you’ll catch Michelle competing in Crossfit competitions, hiking, or binge watching the latest Netflix show.
I came in last year. A fairly new amputee. Lost, frustrated in pain. With very bad prostheses that did not fit. Not knowing a single thing to do after leg cut off, staples out and given this thing I could not use. A year and one revision with support team later I am happy. I might not even have much of a limp after too my PT noticed first walk with walker yesterday after. They take care of you. Check on you and do not just build you what you need and tell you to go figure it out on your own. Brent and Derrick are Awesome!!!!
-S. Rawis-DeMaya
I have NEVER been treated with anything but respect and kindness. I have never felt like an imposition just because my appointment ran a little late. New Life treats me as a person and not just another patient. Jesse Rettele is the head Prosthetist and he is always extremely professional and a man with immense integrity.
-T. Hellyar
I Dont usually go out of my way to right reviews on a person. But I believe you have a person working for u that deserves a little extra recognition. His name is Mark Pitambersingh. I was very skeptical about wearing a brace at first. Mark took the time to explain The benefits of wearing my brace. And makes me feel comfortable about wearing it. He also went out of his way to design something I liked looking at... Made sure it was comfortable. And worked for my daily grind. Today him and his staff got me in on short notice and did some adjustments to my brace that helped me tremendously. The staff at this location are always friendly and greet me with a smile. I always feel welcome and comfortable no matter what. Great people. Great service. These ppl are definitely making a difference in the world. Thanks again
- J. Tipton
Love love, love the personal attention that I have received since day one. Big thanks to Mark n Chris!
— D. Copaus Ford
My daughter started her journey with AFOs 12 years ago with Bob. She was 2 and he carefully fitted her little feet perfectly. He has taken good care of her over the years and we are grateful for his expertise and kindness with our girl. Highly recommend them!
- J. Morrow Abram