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 Meanwhile, hundreds of thousands of still functional but slightly outdated prostheses were being replaced and discarded annually in the United States.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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Are you thinking about starting your own podcast but not sure where to begin? So many people reach out asking how to get started. And while podcasting isn’t terribly difficult, those first few episodes can feel time-consuming and a bit overwhelming. Here’s an easier way to try it out: 👉 Come guest-host a solo episode of We’re Not Stumped and share your personal story. These are single-person episodes — no guests allowed — giving you the space to speak openly and authentically. Episodes are 10–15 minutes long, making this a simple, low-pressure introduction to podcasting. All you need to do is record on your own device (yes, your phone works great) and tell your story or share insights from your experience. I’ll handle the intro and outro, along with all final edits, to ensure the episode matches the tone and quality of the show.
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