Meet Our Practitioners

Our practitioners are certified or board eligible for certification by the American Board for Certification in Orthotics and Prosthetics, Inc. or by the Board of Orthotist Certification. Our practitioners provide training experiences for area college students who are preparing for careers in professions which involve prosthetic and orthotic recipients. Our Rock Island facility is also home of the Quad City Prosthetic Orthotic Institute, an accredited orthotics and prosthetics residency program.

Practitioner Bios:

Tara Ferencik CPO, LPO, President

Tara is a Certified Prosthetist and Orthotist. She has been with Quad City Prosthetics and Orthotics since 1995. She earned her undergraduate degree at Loyola University in Chicago and completed her education in Prosthetics and Orthotics at Northwestern University. Tara is licensed in both Prosthetics and Orthotics, is Rheo Knee and Proprio Foot certified, and Bioness certified. Tara works with both children and adults and specializes in transtibial prosthetics. She enjoys helping people get back to their typical activities.

Tara enjoys traveling, competing in triathlons, and anything sports and outdoor related. Her best pal is her chocolate Lab, Sandy.

Linda Hansen CO, LO, CFM

 Linda Hansen is an ABC Certified Orthotist and Certified Mastectomy Fitter at Quad City Prosthetics and Orthotics with over 35 years of experience. Linda received her training at Century College at White Bear Lake in Minnesota. She enjoys the wide variety of jobs and people she meets at her job and that each day is different.

Linda has a married daughter and 3 grandchildren. She enjoys gardening, reading, and antiques.

John Guest CP, LP

 John received both his undergraduate degree and Prosthetics Certification from Northwestern University in Chicago. As a Certified Prosthetist, John is certified in the Harmony System, the Rheo Knee, and the Proprio Foot. John loves working with a variety of people he meets through his job.

John and his wife have 3 children. He and his wife enjoy gardening and being involved in activities at their church.

Steve Merriman CP, LP

 Steve is certified in Prosthetics from Loyola College and specializes in prosthetics for both upper and lower extremities. Steve has over 25 years prosthetic experience. The thing Steve enjoys most about his job in O&P is helping people lead typcal lives again.

Steve has been married for over 40 years and has 4 grown children, 3 dogs, and 1 cat. His hobbies include restoring old cars and collecting old carved canes and knives.

Nick Crum CO, BEP, LO

 Nick holds a B.A. in Biology from Drake University. He studied Prosthetics and Orthotics at Northwestern University Prosthetic Center and has been working in the field since 1998. Nick is proficient in all aspects of orthotics, but his passion is Pediatric Orthotics. Nick is ABC Certified, and certified in the Charleston Bending Brace. Nick says that assisting individuals, in overcoming a deficit has immeasurable rewards, both personally and professionally.

Nick enjoys biking and photography and spending time with his daughter, Hanna, and his many pets.

Erik Malone COA, CTO

 rik Malone has worked in the O&P field since 1998 and has been with Quad City Prosthetics and Orthotics since 1999. Erik earned his ABC Orthotic Technition Certification at Century College in 2002 and received his ABC Orthotic Assistant Certification in 2005. What Erik likes most about working in O&P is every patient has a specific need and he and his team don't just create the same thing every day. Every circumstance is individual and special.

Erik married his wife, Kelly, in 1994. They have 2 children, Abby and Noah. Erik enjoys spending time with his family, doing projects in his garage, volunteering at a local homeless shelter, teaching Sunday school, and working with youth at his church.

Mark Raymond CP, LP

 Mark Raymond enjoys working with his patients to set, establish, and obtain their physical and personal goals. Mark joined Quad City Prosthetics and Orthotics in 2004. Mark attended Hawkeye Community College and Clarke College and studied O&P at Northeast Community College in White Bear, Minnesota. Mark is ABC Certified and certified in Sabolich above the knee socket design and the Otto Bock C-Leg.

Mark is married with 2 children and enjoys water sports, gardening, and hiking.

Matthew Cain

 Matthew Cain is ABC Certified in Orthotics and has over 15 years experience in the field. In his years of practice, Matthew has worked with people of all ages and needs as in-patients, out-patients, and those living in extended care facilities. Matthew is a 1992 graduate of Cook County Hospital School of Orthopedic Technology. Mathew has gained experience at some of the best O&P facilities in Wisconsin, Illinois, and Michigan before starting at Quad City Prosthetics and Orthotics in 2011. Matthew is proficient in Microsoft products and OPIE.

Matthew enjoys spending time with his wife, Susan, and daughter, Lily. Mathew is a big racing fan.