MEET THE TEAM

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Founder

Patricia is the Founder and CEO of Optimal Mobility, bringing more than 25 years of clinical and research experience in rehabilitation and pediatrics. 

A physical therapist and retired U.S. Army Colonel, her career spans clinical care, rehabilitation research, medical device development and early-stage clinical feasibility.

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Founder

Patricia is the Founder and CEO of Optimal Mobility, bringing more than 25 years of clinical and research experience in rehabilitation and pediatrics. 

A physical therapist and retired U.S. Army Colonel, her career spans clinical care, rehabilitation research, medical device development and early-stage clinical feasibility.

Throughout her career, Patricia saw firsthand how existing mobility and standing options can create barriers to independence and participation. Those experiences helped shape the vision behind Optimal Mobility and the development of Ascendus.

Today, Patricia leads Optimal Mobility as it advances Ascendus through product development, clinical evaluation and toward commercialization, bringing together engineering, clinical research and lived experience to help shape the technology.

Senior Product Development Engineer

Kim serves as Senior Product Development Engineer at Optimal Mobility, bringing more than 15 years of medical device research and development experience.

Her expertise spans design controls, verification and validation, and regulatory documentation. She contributes to the engineering, testing and document

Senior Product Development Engineer

Kim serves as Senior Product Development Engineer at Optimal Mobility, bringing more than 15 years of medical device research and development experience.

Her expertise spans design controls, verification and validation, and regulatory documentation. She contributes to the engineering, testing and documentation needed to advance the Ascendus through continued verification and validation and toward future regulatory and commercialization milestones.

Her technical expertise is an important part of Optimal Mobility's multidisciplinary approach, helping ensure that product development is grounded in both engineering rigor and the real-world needs the Ascendus platform is being designed to address.

Director of Clinical Strategy

Tammy serves as Director of Clinical Strategy at Optimal Mobility, bringing more than 25 years of experience in occupational therapy treatment, education and research to the team.

A qualitative researcher and seating specialist, Tammy brings deep expertise in wheelchair and seating systems developed through her

Director of Clinical Strategy

Tammy serves as Director of Clinical Strategy at Optimal Mobility, bringing more than 25 years of experience in occupational therapy treatment, education and research to the team.

A qualitative researcher and seating specialist, Tammy brings deep expertise in wheelchair and seating systems developed through her work with Mayo Clinic, the University of Minnesota and the Minneapolis VA. 

Her experience bridges clinical practice and research, helping ensure the development of Ascendus is informed by the needs and experiences of wheelchair users and the clinicians who support them.

At Optimal Mobility, Tammy leads clinical research and development strategy as Ascendus advances through clinical evaluation and continued product development. 

Director of Research and Development

Robert “Rob” Wudlick serves as Director of Research and Development at Optimal Mobility, bringing experience in spinal cord injury research, assistive technology and advocacy.

An innovator and advocate in the spinal cord injury community, Rob brings a perspective that connects research, lived experience 

Director of Research and Development

Robert “Rob” Wudlick serves as Director of Research and Development at Optimal Mobility, bringing experience in spinal cord injury research, assistive technology and advocacy.

An innovator and advocate in the spinal cord injury community, Rob brings a perspective that connects research, lived experience and technology development. His work focuses on advancing assistive solutions designed around the real-world needs of people with mobility disabilities.

At Optimal Mobility, Rob leads research and development efforts, helping integrate clinical insight, medical device entrepreneurship and engineering as the Ascendus platform continues to evolve.

Business Operations Coordinator

Karl serves as Business Operations Coordinator at Optimal Mobility, supporting the day-to-day work that keeps the company and its initiatives moving forward.

Karl earned his degree in Computer Science with a minor in Mathematics from Minnesota State University, Mankato. His technical background brings a probl

Business Operations Coordinator

Karl serves as Business Operations Coordinator at Optimal Mobility, supporting the day-to-day work that keeps the company and its initiatives moving forward.

Karl earned his degree in Computer Science with a minor in Mathematics from Minnesota State University, Mankato. His technical background brings a problem-solving mindset to his role, where he supports a wide range of business and operational needs across Optimal Mobility.

Marketing & Communications Lead

Hallie serves as the part-time Marketing & Communications Lead at Optimal Mobility, helping translate the company’s work, research and progress into clear, engaging stories for the audiences it serves.

With a background in social media strategy, content development and brand communications, Hallie leads Optim

Marketing & Communications Lead

Hallie serves as the part-time Marketing & Communications Lead at Optimal Mobility, helping translate the company’s work, research and progress into clear, engaging stories for the audiences it serves.

With a background in social media strategy, content development and brand communications, Hallie leads Optimal Mobility’s digital presence and helps shape how the company and Ascendus are communicated across social media, website content, company announcements and broader brand communications, sharing the people, partnerships and purpose behind Optimal Mobility’s work as the company continues to grow.