Located in Duluth, MN
218-249-6250
A Specialized Health Care Company that Really Cares about your Health
Serving the Tri-State Area
About Northern Orthotic and Prosthetic Center
Decades of Experience | Multiple Locations | Handicap-Accessible Buildings
Decades of Experience Multiple LocationsHandicap-Accessible Buildings
Learn More About Northern Orthotic and Prosthetic Center and Staff
At Northern Orthotic and Prosthetic Center, we work with leading manufacturers to offer the most advanced, comprehensive orthotic and prosthetic services for all ages. Each individual is carefully evaluated in order to provide the optimum fit, whether it is an off-the-shelf item or something custom fabricated.
Patient satisfaction is our top priority. We are a patient-driven practice and believe that when you provide excellent patient care, success will follow. Each of our offices is managed by a board-certified practitioner with training in several areas, to ensure our patients receive the best level of care. Visit us
today!
Greg Francisco (BSCO)
In 1979, Greg earned his bachelor's degree in social welfare / sociology with an emphasis on psychology from the University of Wisconsin-Superior. Immediately he was hired by Northwestern Artificial Limb and Brace Company.
Training and Accomplishments:
- Pedorthic training at Northwestern University Post Graduate Medical School
- Shelby State University for Orthotic Training
- American Board Certified Orthotist, C.O. since 1982.
Since that time a great deal of emphasis in education and training has been done in pediatrics and in the early 1980’s began providing SMO’s for the pediatric community.
Greg's skills and training have helped him to build and grow successful businesses:
In 1990, Greg founded Northland Regional Orthotic and Prosthetic Center based in Duluth, MN. He expanded by adding offices in Hibbing, MN and Wayzeta, MN. In order to meet more individual's orthotic and prosthetic needs, outreach clinics were also held in a three-state area.
Together, Greg and his staff were the first to initiate the fabrication and fitting of SMO’s in the Northwest Wisconsin and Northeastern Minnesota areas. Soon Northland Regional became a hub for many cities in both Wisconsin and Minnesota for pediatric bracing involving SMO’S and other related appliances.
In September of 1996, Northland Regional was sold to a large medical conglomerate and Greg managed the facility for 5 years. He then left to work in the Wisconsin area in 2002 as the founder / owner / CEO of Northern Orthotic and Prosthetic Center. Continued efforts led to growth in the Wisconsin areas including Ashland, Hayward, Hurley, Eagle River, Washburn, Minocqua, and Woodruff.
In 2004 Greg expanded his operations in Duluth, hiring many past employees. Since 2002 NOPC has grown in many segments of the field and has proudly expanded additional full-time offices in Grand Rapids Minnesota and Wausau Wisconsin.
Nicholas C. Francisco (CP, C.Ped)
Nick is an American Board Certified Prosthetist, Pedorthist and Board Eligible Orthotist. In 2006 Nick attended Pedorthic training at Oklahoma State University and became a certified Pedorthist. He also attended Metropolitan State University where he graduating with a BA in Human Services. He attended Century College in White Bear Lake, MN, receiving Associate Degrees in both Orthotic and Prosthetic technology.
Nick has earned advanced diplomas in both Orthotic and Prosthetic Practitioner, graduating in 2010. He completed both his Orthotic and Prosthetic residencies with Northern Orthotic and Prosthetic Center.
Nick is certified in walk aide, Bio-ness, C-leg, Proprio foot, and using
state-of-the-art scanning/digitizing technology. In Nick’s free time he enjoys the outdoors, lifting weights, and spending time with his girlfriend
Jeffrey Halvorson (B.A., BOCO)
Jeff attended Concordia College and graduated in 1984 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in biology. Jeff continued on to Northwestern University in Chicago and received his advanced diploma in prosthetics in 1985. In 2012 Jeff continued his education in orthotics and received his orthotics degree as BOC, certified orthotist.
Jeff is a certified fitter of sole supports. Jeff is SWASH certified, has training in Developmental biomechanics, prosthetic training, pedorthic management of the foot, Lower extremity biomechanics of the neurologically involved and biomechanics and concepts of bracing and external support devices.
Kevin Charon (CTO, COA)
Kevin is an American Board Certified Orthotic Assistant and Board Eligible Orthotic Fitter. He attended 916 Vocational School in White Bear Lake, MN and received his degree as an Orthotic Technician in 1984. He has 25+ years’ experience in the field of orthotics and prosthetics.
He has been employed with Northern Orthotic and Prosthetic Center since 2004. Kevin is certified in cranial remolding and is experienced in cast modifications, pediatric fittings, and general orthotic fittings.
Kevin is an avid outdoorsman with 3 children and enjoys the outdoor activities and remodeling homes in his free time.
Gary John Ovaska (C.O.)
Gary is a native of Ironwood, Michigan where he graduated from high school in 1983. He then continued his formal education by obtaining an Associate Degree in Applied Science from Gogebic Community College. Gary had finalized his education by attending Century College in White Bear Lake, Minnesota where he had completed certificate courses in Orthotic and Prosthetic Technician programs and also obtained certificates in both Orthotic and Prosthetic Practitioner programs. Gary had become certified as an Orthotic Practitioner in 1991.
Gary was an employee of the Marshfield Clinic in Marshfield, Wisconsin from 1989 to 2014. He had gained a broad range of exposure to all aspects of orthotic treatment including trauma bracing and specializing in pediatric care. Gary also had worked extensively with the cranial reshaping of infants with various types of skull deformities. After leaving Marshfield in 2014, Gary moved back to his hometown and started employment with Northern Orthotic and Prosthetic Center in 2015 to present day.
Gary and his wife Jerrianne enjoy living in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. They both enjoy the unique outdoor opportunities that it has to offer. Gary enjoys all types of hunting and fishing. He also is an ATV and snowmobile enthusiast and loves the activities of all four seasons.
“I am so happy to be living and working in the area I love and serving the people of our communities with the best service I can possibly offer. Northern Orthotic and Prosthetic Center is the perfect fit for me because it allows me to live where I love and bring orthotic services to areas that need and appreciate our personalized care.”
Brett Jermey Linden (CFO)
Brett is an American Board Certified Fitter in Orthotics. He began as an orthotic and prosthetic technician in 1994. He is a graduate of Northwest Metro Technical College in White Bear Lake, MN.
He has worked for Northland Regional Orthotic and Prosthetic Center and then Nova Care.
In 2004, Brett began working with us at Northern Orthotic and Prosthetic Center. He has enhanced his knowledge by attending Pedorthist training at the Oklahoma State University of Okmulgee.
In 2010 he received his Certification as a fitter in Orthotics. Brett is certified with Swash and has TC2 training.
In his free time, he enjoys spending time with his 2 children and his wife, coach's soccer, and is an avid outdoorsman who enjoys hunting, fishing, and the Packers.
Our Certifications
- Cranial helmet scanning / molding and fitting
- SWASH certified
- Walkaid certified
- Bioness certified
- Spinal and seating orthotics certificate
Additional Training:
- Developmental biomechanics
- Prosthetic management of the foot
- Pedorthic management of the foot
- Lower extremity biomechanics of the neurologically involved
- Biomechanics and concepts of bracing and external support device