Michael McCauley

Michael McCauley became interested in helping amputees while working in medical sales. After earning his degree from St. Petersburg College, he teamed up with SPC and the Combat Wounded Veterans Challenge to lead research on underwater prosthetics for amputees in Key West.

"Right now, they make swim legs just so they don't rust," said Michael, a certified and licensed orthotist and prosthetist who manages the Hanger Clinic in Spring Hill, Tenn. "There's so much more we can do, but we need the research. We want amputees to be able to swim without a care in the world like the rest of us."

His efforts allow Michael to combine his love of the ocean and a desire to help others.

When Michael is not seeing patients, he is pursuing a master's degree in research, and designing higher quality underwater prosthetic components to test on future expeditions.

"Because of SPC, I am comfortable with the technology in my field, and I am comfortable fabricating the devices that get my patients walking again."