What happens when clinical expertise meets lived experience? Let's figure it out.

It's a simple phrase, but it reflects the creativity, collaboration and persistence required to help patients reach their fullest potential.
In the latest episode of The Summary, we explore the Mary Free Bed Center for Limb Differences, a program that has been helping children with limb differences since 1946.

The Center for Limb Differences was the nation's first pediatric amputee clinic and among the first programs in the world dedicated exclusively to caring for children with limb differences. For nearly 80 years, it’s helped shape the way pediatric limb difference care is delivered today.

Founded by pioneering physicians Dr. Charles Frantz and Dr. George Aiken, the program introduced a multidisciplinary model that brought orthopedic care, prosthetics, therapy and psychosocial support together around a single goal: helping children live full, independent lives.

Today, that same philosophy continues through a team that includes pediatric orthopedic surgeons, prosthetists, orthotists, physical and occupational therapists, social workers, psychologists, recreational therapists, physiatrists and, most importantly, families.

The CLD cares for children from birth through age 18 with congenital and acquired limb differences affecting the arms, hands, legs and feet. The team also provides prenatal consultations, prosthetic management, surgical planning, limb lengthening, limb salvage care and support as children transition into adulthood.

In this episode, hosts Dr. Yunna Sinskey and Dr. Doug Henry welcome pediatric orthopedic surgeon Dr. Michael Forness and certified prosthetist/orthotist Katy Thorpe to discuss how personalized care helps children build mobility, confidence and independence.

The conversation goes beyond surgery and prosthetic technology. It also explores the emotional journey families experience, the importance of peer support and the power of helping children see themselves as more than a diagnosis.

Katy brings a particularly powerful perspective. Born with a limb difference and a prosthesis user for more than 40 years, she now helps children and families navigate many of the same questions her own family once faced.

Listen, watch and learn about:

• Treatment options for congenital limb differences, including reconstruction, limb lengthening and amputation
• How prosthetic care evolves as children grow
• Why multidisciplinary care leads to better outcomes

The importance of community, peer support and family connections

For eight decades, the Center for Limb Difference has helped children build confidence, mobility and independence. As technology advances and access expands, the future of limb difference care is becoming more personalized, more innovative and more empowering than ever before.

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About The SumMARY
Welcome to The SumMARY Podcast, where we explore the complexities of physical medicine and rehabilitation, one topic at a time. Hosted by Dr. Yunna Sinskey and Dr. Doug Henry, we “sum up” the latest insights, innovations, and practices in PM&R, featuring conversations with leading physicians and healthcare innovators.

Dr. Sinskey earned her medical degree from the Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth. She completed her residency in physical medicine and rehabilitation at Mary Free Bed and further specialized with an amputee fellowship at the University of Washington in Seattle.

Dr. Henry is triple board-certified in physical medicine and rehabilitation, pediatrics, and pediatric rehabilitation medicine. He joined Mary Free Bed in 2019 after serving at Cleveland Clinic, where he became an expert in managing pediatric chronic pain conditions.

The SumMARY is brought to you by Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation, the nation’s largest non-profit rehabilitation system.

Official website: https://www.maryfreebed.com/the-summary-podcast/

Kidney disease is often called a “silent illness,” but its impact on daily life is anything but quiet.

In this episode of The SumMARY, we sit down with nephrologist Dr. Dan Meyer and occupational therapy assistant Natalie Frias to explore kidney disease through both a clinical and lived-experience lens. Together, they unpack what it means to live with chronic kidney disease, navigate dialysis and move forward after transplant.

This episode covers:

· How kidney disease develops and why symptoms often go unnoticed

· The physical and mental impact of dialysis, including fatigue and cognitive changes

· The role of rehabilitation in helping patients adapt, conserve energy and maintain independence

· The emotional weight of chronic illness for patients and caregivers

· Why early detection and prevention are critical

From Patient to Clinician at Mary Free Bed: A Note From Natalie Frias, COTA

“For me, kidney disease isn’t just a diagnosis. It’s the chapter that reshaped my future, strengthened my resilience and ultimately led me to my role as a certified occupational therapy assistant at Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital. Chronic illness doesn’t only affect organ systems. It reshapes identity, independence and the ability to plan for the future.”

Read Natalie’s full op-ed here: https://www.maryfreebed.com/kidney-disease-recovery-transplant/.

Join the Conversation

Join the conversation with fellow physiatrists and health care professionals as we explore ideas and share solutions to improve patient care. Connect with us on social media today!
Instagram
Subscribe on LinkedIn

About The SumMARY
Welcome to The SumMARY Podcast, where we explore the complexities of physical medicine and rehabilitation, one topic at a time. Hosted by Dr. Yunna Sinskey and Dr. Doug Henry, we “sum up” the latest insights, innovations, and practices in PM&R, featuring conversations with leading physicians and healthcare innovators.

Dr. Sinskey earned her medical degree from the Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth. She completed her residency in physical medicine and rehabilitation at Mary Free Bed and further specialized with an amputee fellowship at the University of Washington in Seattle.

Dr. Henry is triple board-certified in physical medicine and rehabilitation, pediatrics, and pediatric rehabilitation medicine. He joined Mary Free Bed in 2019 after serving at Cleveland Clinic, where he became an expert in managing pediatric chronic pain conditions.

The SumMARY is brought to you by Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation, the nation’s largest non-profit rehabilitation system.

In this episode of The Summary, we welcome Dr. Casey Madura, section chief of pediatric neurosurgery at Corewell Health Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital. Dr. Madura shares his expertise about neurosurgical treatments for spasticity in children and adults. He focuses on selective dorsal rhizotomy (SDR) and other emerging surgical options.

Together, they break down why and when spasticity is treated. They also discuss how SDR works, and why early intervention—combined with intensive rehabilitation—can reduce pain, improve mobility and limit future orthopedic surgeries. Dr. Madura explains patient selection and ideal timing. He also emphasizes the crucial role family commitment plays in long-term outcomes.

The conversation explores alternatives like baclofen pumps, palliative dorsal and ventral rhizotomies and peripheral neurotomies—highlighting the benefits, limitations and decisions behind each approach.

Guest

Casey Madura, M.D. Pediatric Neurosurgeon, Corewell Health

Dr. Casey Madura is a pediatric neurosurgeon and section chief at Corewell Health Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital. He earned his master’s degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Medicine and Public Health and his medical degree from the University of Michigan. He completed his neurosurgery residency at the University of Wisconsin Hospital and his pediatric neurosurgery fellowship at Children’s Hospital of Alabama.

His work centers on developing a comprehensive surgical epilepsy program and expanding advanced surgical options for children with severe spasticity.

About The SumMARY

The SumMARY Podcast, where we explore the complexities of physical medicine and rehabilitation, one topic at a time. Hosted by Dr. Yunna Sinskey and Dr. Doug Henry, we “sum up” the latest insights, innovations, and practices in PM&R, featuring conversations with leading physicians and health care innovators.

Connect with us on The SumMARY Podcast social media channels or visit our web page.