Mr. McGovern, C.P.O. has been practicing Prosthetics and Orthotics since graduating from the Northwestern Prosthetic and Orthotic Center.   His career continued at the prosthetic and orthotic facility at Rush Presbyterian St. Luke"s Medical Center.  The broad exposure at Rush provided an exceptional range of patient care experiences both in the acute and chronic arenas.  In 1988, Mr. McGovern opened his own facility in the western suburbs, hence Prairie Orthotic and Prosthetic Service, Ltd was founded.  The goal of Prairie was, and still is today to provide the very best care in a friendly and relaxed atmosphere without the pressures of over scheduling and emergency cases which were the norm at the busy Rush environment. Don received his Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Illinois Medical Center in Occupational Therapy. 

Don McGovern has worked a great deal with the pediatric population since 1982 and he has taken several courses regarding the use of orthoses in the pediatric population. He is a guest speaker and consultant at the Annual Meeting for Families of Spinal Muscular Atrophy since 1998. He attended the International Society of O & P Consensus Conference of Cerebral Palsy. He is familiar with a variety of pediatric orthotic designs and componentry. He also has an excellent understanding of the functions of the foot.

Don McGovern holds a certificate in many prosthetic/orthotic systems including Northwestern TransFemoral Socket Design, Ossur Rheo Knee and the Providence Nocturnal Scoliosis System. He also has extensive experience in the orthotic treatment of Spinal, Lower Extremity, and Sports injuries. In addition, his training as a therapist makes him a valuable player on the rehabilitation team which consists of the client, physician, therapist and orthotist/prosthetist.

Mr. McGovern stays up to date in his field.  He continues this activity by atteding a variety Continuing Education courses.  He also maintains his accreditation through the American Board for Certification of Prosthetics and Orthotics.  Mr. McGovern is Illinois State Licensed in Prosthetics, Orthotics and Pedorthics. He is also a member of the Illinois Society of Orthotists and Prosthetists, the American Academy of Prosthetists and Orthotists and the International Society for Prosthetics and Orthotics.  He is a past-President of the Midwest Chapter of the American Academy of Orthotists and Prosthetists.  He is the orthotic consultant at the annual Families of Spinal Muscular Atrophy international meeting.  

A few of the Courses attended by Mr. McGovern include:
Cast Boot course (1987) by Lois Bly, P.T.,
The Running Foot: An Advanced Approach to the Foot and Running (1989) by Chicagoland Orthopedic Rehabilitation Services. 
Lower Extremity Biomechanic of the Neurologically Involved (1993) by Susan Leger, P.T.
Northwestern-Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago Ischial Containment of the Transfemoral Amputee (1996).
Oregon Orthotic System and Alignment (1996).
AAOP Professional Development (1999).
International Society of Prosthetics and Orthotics Conference of Cerebral Palsy (1999).
The Providence Scoliosis System by Spinal Technology (1999).
AAOP Gait and Pathomechanics (1999).
AAOP Pediatric Management (2001).
AAOP Advanced Training: Overview of Gait Analysis (2001).
Boston Brace Spinal Management Workshop (2002).
AAOP Gait Analysis Biomenchanical Design of Lower-Limb Orthoses (2003).
Becker Certification E-Knee/KAFO Course (2003).
Ossur Academy Rheo Knee Training Course (2005).