Jeff Sutherland, CO, owner is a native of California. He was born and raised in the Oakland area. He is the president of BlueBird Orthotics & Prosthetics, Inc. Although he mostly works with children he has considerable experience in all types of orthotics, especially
as related to polio, cerebral palsy, scoliosis, brachial plexus injury, spinal cord injury, and stroke. Jeff began his orthotic career in 1980 designing and building various prototype knee orthoses; one for which he was awarded a
U.S. patent. He received a Bachelors degree from San Diego State University in 1985 and completed the long term
orthotic certificate course at
Rancho Los Amigos Medical Center (RLAMC). Jeff remained at RLAMC completing his orthotic internship and then joined the staff as a clinical orthotist for spinal cord injury, pediatrics, post-polio, and brachial plexus cases. He is a certified orthotist
(CO) certified by the American Board for Certification in Orthotics and Prosthetics
(ABC). Jeff took a one year leave of absence from his position at RLAMC in 1989 to
teach a one year orthotic course to the technicians at Sarah Kubistchek Hospital in Brasilia, Brazil where he acquired an enduring taste for feijoada. Jeff returned to RLAMC to work with Dr. Jacqueline Perry providing orthoses for those challenged by post-polio. He also provided orthoses for the RLAMC pediatric clinics under the direction
of Dr. Mark Holler. It was during this time at RLAMC that Jeff wrote the chapter on orthotics for the 2nd edition of Michel Botte and Vernon Nichols'
"Orthopedic Rehabilitation" textbook. Jeff left his position at RLAMC in 1991 to assume the position of Director of Orthotic services at Vogue Prosthetic & Orthotics based in Northridge, CA.
During that time, Jeff was appointed
Chairman of the Gait Society of the American Academy of Orthotists and Prosthetists (AAOP). He also served as a continuing education instructor for AAOP, teaching his fellow professionals on the topic of how children develop their ability to walk from infancy to the mature model of gait.
Jeff was the primary author of a scientific pilot study published in the peer reviewed
Journal of Prosthetics and Orthotics. This particular study compared critical aspects of gait between two different prosthetic knee mechanisms which launched new directions in the design of subsequent and commercially available prosthetic
knee units. During this time, Jeff was also traveling annually to Chennai, India; having co-founded an orthopedic softgoods manufacturing unit and serving as the company's Technical Director. Jeff returned to San Diego, CA in 1999 to serve as Clinical Manager of the Rehab Designs of America (RDA) office at San Diego Childrens Hospital.
RDA was subsequently sold in California at which time Jeff co-founded
BlueBird Orthotics & Prosthetics, Inc. with Joseph T. Guth and Maria Moreno. Jeff is now the sole owner of the business and is currently busy caring for his patients and directing the growth of BlueBird Orthotics & Prosthetics, Inc. Outside of work, Jeff finds time to walk and read daily, hike or bike on the weekends, and loves
to snow ski; whenever he can afford to! His son Nick shares his interests in skiing and biking; the reading and walking, not so much!
Felix Marquez, CP, CFo. He has 32 years of professional and technical experience in the field of prosthetics. He is a certified prosthetiist
(CP) certified by the American Board for Certification in Orthotics and Prosthetics
(ABC). He was first introduced into the field by his uncle who had an office in the San Francisco, CA area in the 1970's. Felix attended the prosthetics program at Cerritos College and the prosthetics program at UCLA. He was head of Research and Development for the Prosthetics program for the
Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) in San Diego, CA from 1983-1986 and again from 1989-1991. Since that time he has worked in private practice. He is
bilingual in Spanish and has many interests in Community Services. He has been a participant in
Limbs for Freedom and fabrication of artificial limbs and braces for the underprivilaged. Felix is also very involved in church activities and has been a part of international missions to both Mexico and China in recent years.
Curtis Silva, C.Ped, CFo is originally from Honolulu, HI. He was first introduced into the field of orthotics and prosthetics in 1999 as a technician for The Shriners Hospital in Honolulu, HI. Since that time he has learned the complete process of custom orthotic and brace fabrication as well as adjusting and refurbishing devices. He became a certified fitter of orthotic appliances
(CFo) in 2000 and most recently became certified as a Pedorthist
(C.Ped) in 2006 after completing the required education at the Oklahoma State University technical program in Okmulgee, OK. Curtis is one of our experts working with patients in the
Diabetic Shoe Program. In his spare time, Curtis enjoys surfing, playing guitar, fishing, biking, and being with family and friends.
Sheila Smith is an Office Administrator. She is originally from Wisconsin, however grew up primarily here in San Diego. She started working for BlueBird Orthotics & Prosthetics in November, 2005. Prior to that she worked for 8 years in the billing office of Childrens Hospital, San Diego. Sheila is very acitive with her church and is currently busy taking courses in pursuit of a teaching degree.
Karen Maya is an Office Administrator. She is a native of California, growing up here locally in San Diego. She is a recent graduate of the certified nursing assistant program of Maric College in San Diego, CA. Through this program, she is certified as a Nursing Assistant, Home Health Aide, Radiology Aide, EKG Aide, and in First Aid.
Ray Ramirez is an Orthotic & Prosthetic Technician. He is a native of California, growing up here locally in San Diego. His many interests include music as he is an accomplished trumpet player and remote control car racing as he competes on both a local and national level.
