Here's your “Elevation Team.”

Michael F. Carlson, CPO

Michael grew up in Western Colorado where his parents taught him to love the outdoors with their constant on-the-go camping trips, overseas travel and natural history education.

He has a Bachelor’s Degree in Kinesiology from the University of Colorado, Boulder.  His degree’s emphasis in biomechanics led him to prosthetics.  He started an internship at a prosthetics office in Denver during his final year as an undergraduate, which led him to a technician position before attending the prosthetic program at Cal State University Dominguez Hills.  He completed a rigorous prosthetics residency in Manhattan and the Bronx before managing an office in Brooklyn while going to night school for orthotics through the University of Connecticut, Newington program.  He then transferred to Northern California in 2007 to lay down roots.  Since then, Michael has made a prosthesis for Bella the Llama, who wore it for 7.5 years before passing away.  He has gone on two prosthetic mission trips, one to Haiti in 2011 and once to Guatemala in 2018.  During a transitional period in 2018 and during the birth of Elevation, Michael volunteered over 100 hours to Achieve Tahoe and Team River Runner, both organizations dedicated to helping people with disabilities to do outdoor activities.

Michael maintains his good standing as an American Board For Certification (ABC) as a Certified Prosthetist/Orthotist (CPO) through rigorous continuation education credits and a thriving practice.

For the last 5 years, Michael has guest lectured at the Sacramento State University DPT Program and at the Sacramento City College PTA Program, regarding the Fundamentals of Prosthesis.

 Outside of work, he enjoys spending time outside with his wife and two young sons.

KRISTEN SADINSKI

Kristen is new to the Northern California area but has done her fair share of exploring since moving across the country from Southern Virginia. Kristen comes from a family background of pedorthics and orthotics, as both of her parents are Board Certified Pedorthists. She has grown up working for her family business and gained knowledge and experience in lower extremity orthoses. Kristen graduated from Old Dominion University in Spring of 2022 with her Bachelor’s Degree with a major in Exercise Science. She went on to expand her education and became an American Board Certified Fitter of Orthotics in late Summer of 2022. Outside of work, Kristen loves exploring new adventures throughout California, staying active, and spending time with her friends and family.