DOUROUX

PROSTHETIC-ORTHOTIC SERVICES, LLC

Bernadette B. Douroux, CPO

Bernadette, CEO and co-owner, established Douroux Prosthetic-Orthotic Services in 1999. Located on the Westbank of New Orleans, Douroux P&O serves the greater New Orleans area providing state of the art prosthetic and orthotic devices. At the present time Douroux P&O has an all female staff and is possibly the only female, minority, CPO, business owner in the United States.

Bernadette B. Douroux, entered the field of P & O in 1969 as office manager and fitter for her then father-in-law’s new Prosthetic-Orthotic business in Los Angeles, California. John Noble Roberts became a trans-femoral amputee while servicing in the Coast Guard during World War II. His ship was attacked at OMAHA Beach on D-Day. Ms Douroux states that “his ability to achieve anything he wanted to do inspired me to go to school for P & O. While watching him fit & fabricate prosthetic & orthotic devices, I knew that was what I wanted to do.”

Bernadette has been serving the New Orleans Community and surrounding areas with her dedication to improving patients' lives since the 1991. Prior to returning home to Louisiana she worked in Long Island, NY. She received her AA degree from Cerritos College in California. Bernadette received her certification in Orthotics 1990 and her Prosthetic Certification in 2003.

Bernadette continues to work on developing new designs and implement new strategies and techniques while overseeing the day-to-day operation of the business. She is currently involved with hospitals and physical therapy centers educating their physicians, interns and staff in all aspects of orthotic and prosthetic.

The business survived the devastation of Katrina and was providing service to patients within three weeks after the storm. Thanks to cells phones, she was able to receive calls from patients and doctors looking for prosthetic and orthotic care. Douroux Prosthetics has successfully bid for and was awarded a VA contract since 2002.

Bernadette has been an active member in IAAPOC since 1995. She is currently the chair of the Scholarship Committee, and is active in various support groups and committees.