The Doctor Is In: Changing lives through prosthetics

SAN ANTONIO

Jesse Rettele started working at a local orthotic and prosthetics facility at the young age of 17. 

"I always loved working with my hands and tinkering with things," Rettele said.

He said working at the facility was just a job until one very specific day when he was invited in to see a patient, a young boy who was born without limbs.

"We put the prosthetic leg that I had made on to this young boy and he got up and started walking, and then he started running in the hallway," Rettele said. "Right then I knew that this is what I needed to do for a living."

Rettele joined the UT Health Science Center San Antonio team in 2001 and now serves as a clinical instructor and the medical director for orthotics and prosthetics in the Department of Rehabilitation Medicine.

Since then, he said he's had the opportunity to design and build prosthetics for many people in San Antonio and beyond. 

"Truly all of our patients may start as patients but end up becoming friends of ours," Rettele said. "That's what helps set us apart from different organizations is that continued care after the service is provided."

SA Live is featuring some of the UTHSC medical professionals who are changing lives in their segment called "The Doctor Is In." 

You can find more information by calling 210-450-9000 or by visiting their website, www.UTMedicine.com.


About the Author:

Katie Meyers is the Executive Producer of KPRC 2’s Houston Life, an afternoon variety and lifestyle show focused on celebrating the city of Houston. She enjoys podcasts, show tunes, her rescue pup Penny and coffee... lots of coffee.