About Our Team
At Bayou Orthotics & Prosthetics, our team is dedicated to providing top-notch care and innovative solutions for all your orthotic and prosthetic needs. With a blend of expertise, compassion, and cutting-edge technology, we strive to improve the lives of our patients every day. Our specialists are not only highly skilled but also deeply committed to ensuring that each patient receives personalized and effective treatment. Join us on a journey to better mobility and enhanced quality of life.
Meet the Staff
Dwayne Mara, CP
Owner, Manager, and Clinician
Dwayne is an ABC certified prosthetist with over twenty-seven years of experience in the field.
Dwayne originally began his career working as a technician but quickly transitioned into direct patient care and found a true passion for it. Although he may be a local, the experience he has gained throughout his career has been anything but that. In addition to working as a clinician in the area for over two decades, he has also had stints at Walter Reed Medical Center working directly with wounded veterans and enlisted military personnel, he has lectured on above-knee socket design in China, and he was part of a group of clinicians who travelled to Haiti following the 2010 earthquake to provide prosthetic care to those in need. He was also featured in an article from Wired about his efforts to provide a horse, Molly, with a prosthetic leg after she was injured during Hurricane Katrina. Thanks to the unique experience gained during his time working at Walter Reed and his passion for it, Dwayne has come to specialize in providing premier above-knee prosthetic care and returning mobility to patients even in the most challenging cases.
Outside of work, Dwayne’s favorite hobbies include duck hunting, fishing, and spending time with his family.
Certifications:
1998—Certified prosthetist, by the American Board for Certification (ABC) in Orthotics, Prosthetics, and Pedorthics.
Kenneth Bordelon, CPO
Senior Clinician
Kenny is an ABC certified prosthetist and orthotist with over forty years of experience in the field.
Kenny is one of the original founding members of Bayou and has had an expansive and respected career starting at LSU in the early 1980s with the development of the reciprocating gait orthosis (RGO), holding leadership positions for O&P, advocating for improvements in O&P care at the state and national levels, and providing lectures for over thirty years to both medical and physical therapy students as part of their education. In addition to these actions to advance care and education, he has worked as a clinician with an emphasis on managing complicated prosthetic cases and working with pediatric prosthetics.
Outside of the office, you can find Kenny at his camp or spending time with his family.
Certifications:
1997—Certified prosthetist, by the American Board for Certification (ABC) in Orthotics, Prosthetics, and Pedorthics.
1989—Certified orthotist, by the American Board for Certification (ABC) in Orthotics, Prosthetics, and Pedorthics.
Education:
1993—Long Term Certificate Program Prosthetics, Northwestern University Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago
1986—Long Term Certificate Program in Orthotics, Shelby State
1984—Bachelor of Science, Southeastern Louisiana University
Sam Whittington, CPO, MPO
Clinician
Sam is an ABC certified prosthetist and orthotist with over twelve years of experience in the field.
Sam’s experience in the field started in late 2010 when he began volunteering at a local O&P clinic on the Northshore. He immediately developed a strong interest in patient care along with the hands-on technical aspect of creating finished products for patients. He worked as there as a technician and assistant for several years before going to O&P school in Chicago. Through great mentorship and experiences, he was able to gain a wealth of knowledge working with a wide variety of patients and conditions and spent substantial time working with pediatrics as well. He applies that knowledge today and enjoys working with pediatrics and helping individuals of all walks of life regain their mobility and independence.
Outside of work, Sam’s favorite activities are spending time with his son and anything outdoor related.
Certifications:
2019—Certified Prosthetist, by the American Board for Certification (ABC) in Orthotics, Prosthetics, and Pedorthics.
2018—Certified Orthotist, by the American Board for Certification (ABC) in Orthotics, Prosthetics, and Pedorthics.
Education:
2016—Master of Prosthetics and Orthotics, Northwestern University
2013—Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology, Southeastern Louisiana University
Stacie Dufrene
Office Manager
Stacie has worked as a patient care coordinator and administrator at Bayou for over fifteen years. Today, Stacie works as our main office manager where she draws on her years of experience to oversee all administrative aspects of our offices and helps to ensure a smooth work flow and that patient’s receive their products in a timely manner.
Stacie’s favorite hobbies outside of work include spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren, and going to Tennessee.
Malorie Wagner, CFO, COA
Clinician and Technician
Malorie is an ABC certified orthotic fitter and assistant with ten years of experience in the field.
Malorie’s entrance into the field began in 2014 with her undergraduate internship at Bayou. After first gaining interest from a family member who was a long-time Bayou patient and prosthetic user, she quickly gravitated toward orthotics and was able to learn from several respected pediatric orthotic specialists. This gave her the opportunity to learn invaluable hands-on skills and carry on their knowledge and skill set for providing top-notch care to our pediatric patients. Today, her time is primarily focused on running our in-house fabrication of prosthetic and orthotic devices along with seeing pediatric patients.
Outside of work (and sometimes at), Malorie enjoys spending time with her four children, husband, and camping.
Certifications:
2016—Certified orthotic fitter, by the American Board for Certification (ABC) in Orthotics, Prosthetics, and Pedorthics.
2016—Certified orthotic assistant, by the American Board for Certification (ABC) in Orthotics, Prosthetics, and Pedorthics.
Education:
2014—Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology, Southeastern Louisiana University