Meet the Panel
At FUTURO™ Brand, we design our products to promote a better quality of life for our customers. To ensure that FUTURO brand remains among the most trusted names in braces and supports, all of our products are supported by our expert panel of engineers and medical professionals.
These experts research, develop and test both existing and new products, combining what is seen in practice with the needs of consumers and allowing only the best to make it to your local retailer. This is necessary to ensure that state-of-the-art intelligence, ideas and solutions are featured in our innovative line of products. All with one goal in mind: to help you live life to the fullest.
Ralph Buschbacher, M.D
Musculoskeletal Expert – Head of the FUTRO Expert Panel
Ralph Buschbacher, M.D., provides the FUTURO Expert Panel valuable insights into the specialty of Physical Medicine as well as leading the team.
Dr. Buschbacher’s responsibilities include making sure his team has state-of the-art facilities and resources to research, develop and test new materials, technologies, and products, as well as bring the learnings of all the members together. This allows the FUTURO brand to provide the high-quality products our consumers have come to expect.
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He is an extensively published author and researcher who practices musculoskeletal medicine with an emphasis on occupational medicine. Dr. Buschbacher provides FUTURO the benefit of his learning, including how support products can help alleviate symptoms of conditions caused by muscle weakness and joint disorders.
His proficiencies ensure every FUTURO support product includes cutting edge medical technology.
Dr. Buschbacher began his training at the University of Virginia for both his undergraduate and medical degrees. He was selected as Chief Resident of his residency class at the Medical College of Virginia. He is a prolific writer, having published over 50 manuscripts, 25 book chapters, and 11 books on musculoskeletal medicine. He is currently in the process of preparing 8 books encompassing his specialty. Dr. Buschbacher served six years as the Newsletter Editor of the Association of Academic Physiatrists and serves on the Board of Trustees of the Association of Academic Physiatrists.
Janette Cothrel, OTR
Occupational Therapist
Janette Cothrel, O.T.R., may be the most multi-faceted member of the FUTURO™ Brand Expert Panel. Her varied and valuable combination of skills includes occupational therapy, physical rehabilitation, psychology and product development.
Ms. Cothrel enjoys assisting with the development of products that meet consumer needs through her work on the FUTURO brand Expert Panel.
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She spent several years at Methodist Occupational Health Center in Indianapolis, evaluating and treating upper-extremity injuries and focusing on back-to-work training and work site evaluations. She has most recently worked as a group team member, evaluating and making recommendations for the 0-3 “First Steps” program through Riverview Hospital in Noblesville, IN.
She has worked in Adult Rehabilitation at Our Lady of the Lake Hospital in Baton Rouge, LA, and in the school systems of Lake County, IL, and Lawrence Township, IN.
She holds a U.S. patent for adaptive clothing.
Ms. Cothrel is currently pursuing her master’s degree in Psychology. She received her Bachelor of Science with a concentration in Occupational Therapy from Ohio State University.
Ryan Gaynor, PT, MS, ART
Physical Therapist
Since so many of our products are worn by individuals recovering from injuries, the FUTURO™ Brand is fortunate to have a certified and accomplished Physical Therapist on the FUTURO™ Expert Panel. Ryan Gaynor provides valuable input and insights to make our products more effective and useful.
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Mr. Gaynor is a physical therapist with Freedom Physical Therapy Services, S.C., in Milwaukee working in private practice focusing on orthopedic conditions with an emphasis on manual therapy. Prior to his current position, he spent six years at Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis, working with the nationally recognized surgeons at Methodist Sports Medicine and physiatrists from Indiana University School of Medicine. His focus was treating orthopedic injuries, specifically in the worker’s compensation system.
While in Indianapolis, he became a certified provider of Active Release Techniques™ (ART)*, a soft-tissue injury management system that has gained wide acclaim among athletes. He worked with the Indianapolis Colts professional football team and its surgeon, Dr. Tom Klootwyk, as a soft tissue injury consultant helping to treat difficult cases.
Mr. Gaynor is a member of the American Physical Therapy Association.
He holds a Masters Degree in Physical Therapy from the University of Indianapolis, where he also earned his Bachelor’s degree.
*Active Release Techniques™ is a registered trademark of Active Release Techniques, LLC.
Beth Gramza
Senior Product Development Engineer
Beth Gramza brings a rare combination of two invaluable skill sets to the FUTURO™ Brand Expert Panel: biomedical engineering and healthcare product design.
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Ms. Gramza has worked in the product development department designing supports for over ten years. Her work has been instrumental in designing state-of-the-art products that provide the proper support and comfort for our customers. Most notably, she acted as lead designer on our new FUTURO™ Reversible Splint Wrist Brace and Deluxe Thumb Stabilizer, which features some of the most technologically advance products FUTURO™ has offered to date.
Prior to her employment at FUTURO™ brand, she worked at a biomedical start-up company designing and testing devices to treat congestive heart failure. Before that, she worked developing, designing and testing helmets for use when skiing and snowboarding.
Ms. Gramza earned her degree in Biomedical Engineering from Syracuse University in 1998.
Sherry Hinds
Product Development Engineer
There is no substitute for experience, and Sherry Hinds brings over three decades of FUTURO™ product development expertise to the FUTURO™ Brand Expert Panel.
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As an engineer at FUTURO™ brand, Ms. Hinds has nearly 34 years of experience with FUTURO™ and its products. She has extensive experience in Product Development, including a position as FUTURO’s resident hosiery expert.
Ms. Hinds has also served in FUTURO’s Quality Assurance Department, where she tested and evaluated raw materials and finished products. She also assists product development engineers in creation of prototypes for new products.
Jeff Krauser
Product Development Manager
Throughout the 13 years for which he has been a member of the FUTURO™ Brand Expert Panel, Jeff Krauser’s contributions have been instrumental in the development of FUTURO’s line of high-quality products.
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Mr. Krauser has spent more than a decade developing product designs with superior reproducibility and efficiency – ensuring each and every FUTURO product is of the highest quality and consistently delivers the highest performance. His expertise in industrial engineering techniques and supply chain management reduce production and distribution lead times, making FUTURO’s products quickly available at your local retailer.
Mr. Krauser also brings an in-depth understanding of ergonomics and cumulative trauma disorders (CTDs) to the FUTURO product development cycle. His knowledge and expertise allow him to design products that promote healthy posture and joint positions, which allow for safe and comfortable healing.
Mr. Krauser has a Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Engineering from the University of Cincinnati.
Jeremy Jacobs
Product Development Engineer
As the newest member of the panel, Jeremy Jacobs offers a unique and important element. Mr. Jacobs is able to understand the form as well as the function of a product. He has designed everything from graphics and elaborate swimming pools to themed environments for zoos. During his design career, Mr. Jacobs has picked up a lot of different skills that he can pull from and use as a Product Development Engineer. While his day to day tasks require him to utilize the available computer programs and mounds of test data, he still likes to use a simple marker and paper when starting a project. Mr. Jacobs may be young in the business, but he is already making an impact with a hand full of patents and a team award.
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Prior to coming aboard the panel, Mr. Jacobs worked in the trenches at FUTURO™ as a co-op assisting the development engineers and performing material tests in their test lab. He did this for a number of years while getting his bachelor degree in Mechanical Engineering Technology at the University of Cincinnati. After graduating with his degree in 2012, he officially became a member. Mr. Jacobs also has a degree from the Art Institute of Pittsburgh in Industrial Design Technology.
Shawn Busch
Quality Manager
Shawn Busch brings a deep understanding of quality systems to the team. Mr. Busch is currently responsible for the quality systems and regulatory affairs for the FUTURO™ Brand. Mr. Busch and his team are constantly evaluating products looking for improvements in an effort to maintain outstanding quality in the FUTURO product line. This process ensures that our consumers have a product they can count on to provide the comfort, support, fit and durability to meet their needs.
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Prior to joining the FUTURO team, Mr. Busch spent 20 years supporting manufacturing with rigorous quality systems. During this time Mr. Busch obtained multiple certifications including becoming a certified Six Sigma Black Belt.
Mr. Busch holds a Bachelor's of Mechanical Engineering degree from the University of Dayton in Ohio.
Michael Stonnington, M.D.
Orthopedic Surgeon
As a Board Certified Surgeon with expertise in traumatology, total joint replacement and sports medicine, Michael Stonnington, M.D. adds considerable value to the FUTURO Brand Expert Panel as the U.S. Orthopedic Consultant.
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Dr. Stonnington stays up to date with the latest technology and techniques to ensure FUTURO products provide consumers the comfort, support and proper fit necessary for various conditions. He continually receives updated, state-of-the-art training in trauma and general orthopedic surgery. In addition, he recently authored two chapters in a major musculoskeletal textbook.
Dr. Stonnington is also the founding Co-Director of Orthopedic Trauma Services at Forrest General Hospital, a major trauma referral hospital in Mississippi, facilitating immediate and advanced orthopedic surgical care for severe and life-threatening traumatic injuries.
He received his Air Force Reserve Commission in 1988, and was on Active Duty at Keesler Air Force Base for three years as a staff Orthopedic Surgeon. A Lieutenant Colonel, he served on a forward surgical team during his Air Force career. One of his responsibilities involved teaching battlefield surgery, which included travel to Nepal, to instruct the Royal Nepalese Army.
Dr. Stonnington holds an undergraduate degree with distinction from the University of Virginia, and a medical degree Duke University. He has also had extensive orthopedic surgery training at the University of Florida where he had intensive training in general orthopedics, trauma surgery, complex arthritis surgery and sports medicine.
Ed Weaver
Senior Design Engineer
Ed Weaver gives the FUTURO™ Brand Expert Panel a valuable perspective: that of a talented Senior Design Engineer.
Mr. Weaver currently designs FUTURO’s Class I Medical Orthopedic braces for global sales in the mass retail market. His responsibilities include overseeing the Materials Test Lab and the Engineering Co-Op Program at FUTURO brand.
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Before joining FUTURO, Mr. Weaver worked as an Electro/Mechanical Design Engineer designing Class I & II electro/mechanical hyper-hypothermia and low-flow fluid warming systems for global use in hospital operating rooms. As an Application Engineer, he designed instrumentation/process control systems in a consulting capacity for a multitude of U.S. manufacturing companies.
Mr. Weaver has also served as a Project Engineer for one-off assistive devices for employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities. He has provided services to Ohio Bureau of Workers Compensation, Bureau of Services for the Visually Impaired, the Bureau of Vocational Rehabilitation, and the Ohio Rehabilitation Service Commission.
Mr. Weaver has a Bachelors of Applied Science in Mechanical Engineering and a minor in mathematics from Youngstown State University in 1992.
Dominic Julian
Senior Product Development Engineer
Dominic brings unique perspective and experience to the expert panel. He has over 13 years of experience designing and developing health supports based on his experience as a Certified Athletic Trainer.
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Dominic has worked for over a decade developing products based on injury states and biomechanics. His experience and expertise has contributed to a variety of products that utilize advanced design and new materials to meet the growing needs of our customers. During this time he has had increasing levels of responsibility that has touched most product related activities, including product design, manufacturing, quality, training, and package development.
Prior to his work with FUTURO Products, he worked as an Athletic Trainer on the collegiate level. This included working as part of the medical staff to optimize the overall well being of the athlete, including injury prevention, assessment, treatment and rehabilitation. Dominic earned a BS in Athletic Training at Boston University followed by an MA in Administrative Studies at Boston College.
Joann Lohr, M.D.
Director of the Good Samaritan Hospital John J. Cranley Vascular Laboratory
Dr. Joann Lohr has been the Director of the Good Samaritan Hospital John J. Cranley Vascular Laboratory and member of the Active Staff since 1992. She is also the associate program director for the vascular surgery residency at Good Samaritan Hospital. She received her M.D. degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1983. She then served Internal Medicine Residencies at the University of Colorado and Marshfield Clinic respectively. She completed her General Surgery Residency at St. Joseph Mercy Hospital in Pontiac, Michigan from 1985 to 1990. She served as a Vascular Surgery Resident at Good Samaritan Hospital from 1990 to 1992 and was awarded the Kachelmacher Memorial Fellow Award at the Kachelmacher Memorial Clinic in Logan, Ohio in 1990 and 1991. She served as Co-Director of the Clinic from July 1992 to 1997. She has been a Diplomate of the American Board of Surgery since 1991 and received added qualifications in General Vascular Surgery and Surgical Critical Care. She is a fellow in the American College of Surgeons. She has served as an Editorial Reviewer for several journals and has published and presented numerous research studies.
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Dr. Lohr has authored several book chapters about noninvasive vascular imaging and vascular laboratory utilization. Dr. Lohr is a Registered Vascular Technologist and helped to establish and maintain Intersocietal Commission for the Accreditation of Vascular Laboratories (ICAVL) accreditation for the vascular laboratory at Good Samaritan Hospital serving as both the medical and technical director.
Dr. Lohr has held multiple offices in several national societies and has been on the executive committees for the Society for Vascular Surgery (SVS), American Venous Forum (AVF) and the Society for Clinical Vascular Surgery (SCVS). Dr. Lohr recently compiled the venous curriculum for the Program Directors in Vascular Surgery. She is the past President for the AVF and SCVS. Dr. Lohr is on the education council of SVS and is Chairman of the committee to develop new residency programs. She is a distinguished fellow in the Society of Vascular Surgery. She is the Co-Chair of the education council for AVF. She has been a practicing vascular surgeon in Cincinnati since 1992. Dr. Lohr is on the Medical Executive Committee of Good Samaritan Hospital where she also serves as secretary/treasurer.
