Episode 15 of Season Two of the We’re Not Stumped podcast features Penta Medical Recycling. My guests from this great organization are founder Henry Iseman, Deputy Director Anna Szczepanek and Director of Operations Mijamin Strong.
The organization was founded in 2016, when a group of university students established Penta Medical Recycling with a dual mission: to make affordable prosthetic care accessible in low- and middle-income countries while repurposing medical waste in the United States.
This initiative stemmed from the recognition that a staggering 85-95% of the world’s 100 million amputees lacked access to proper prosthetic care and equipment. Meanwhile, hundreds of thousands of still functional but slightly outdated prostheses were being replaced and discarded annually in the United States.
Penta discovered a solution to address both of these pressing issues simultaneously. By collecting and refurbishing used prosthetic and orthotic equipment in the United States, they could declutter private homes, ease the burden on clinics responsible for disposing of unusable devices, and, most importantly, restore the ability to walk, work, and thrive for amputees worldwide.
In 2018, Penta Medical Recycling was officially incorporated as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Since then, it has evolved into a global operation collaborating with government health agencies, both private and public healthcare institutions, and various nonprofit organizations, both within the United States and internationally. Penta’s operations have expanded to encompass 16 different countries across six regions worldwide.
Links:
Penta Medical Recycling Website: https://pentaprosthetics.org
Penta Medical Recycling Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/penta.medical.recycling/
Penta Medical Recycling Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/penta.medical.recycling/
Penta Medical Recycling LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/penta-medical-recycling/
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Ana L. Reyes’ story is one of unwavering faith, resilience, and service. In 2017, Ana was diagnosed with cancer, and three years later, she became an amputee. But her faith never wavered. Born in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Ana has dedicated her life to her family, community, and ministry. A devoted wife, mother, and grandmother, she has also spent 20 years shaping young minds as a teacher. Alongside her husband, Rev. Marc Reyes, she has led Good Shepherd Ministries Church in West Haven, CT, for nearly two decades. Now an ordained minister, she continues to travel on missionary trips, serve her community, and inspire others through her book, Still Standing: An Amputee’s Story of Hope—a powerful testament to overcoming adversity through faith. Join us as Ana shares her incredible story of perseverance, proving that even in life’s greatest challenges, hope and faith can keep us standing.
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