(See Steve's Testimonials)
Has over 30 years of experience in orthotic patient care and specializes in pediatric orthotics and is a co-founder of Align Clinic. He has been practicing in the San Francisco Bay Area since 1984.
Steve Baum graduated from the State University of New York at Buffalo in 1981, earning a Cum Laude Honors Bachelor’s Degree while putting himself through school. He then earned the Long Term Certificate in Orthotics, maintaining a 4.0 grade point average, at Rancho Los Amigos Hospital, California State University at Dominguez Hills, and the Long Term Certificate of Prosthetic Education at University of California at Los Angeles in 1988. Steve Baum is ABC certified in all areas of orthotic care. He authored a paper which was published in the Journal of the American Orthotic and Prosthetic Association, titled “Initial Standing of the Osteogenesis Imperfecta Patient” (1990, Vol 2, number 2).
Steve Baum started his career at the Lucile Salter Children’s Hospital at Stanford / Rehabilitation Engineering Center as a Staff Orthotist and left as the Head of the Orthotic Service Department. Steve Baum most recently worked as clinic manager for his previous employer at clinics in Palo Alto and Mountain View, CA before co-founding Align Clinic. While at his previous company, Steve Baum was also named the Northern California Pediatric Specialist due to his great experience and passion for the subject. He is looking forward to continuing that role at Align Clinic.
Has over 30 years of experience in orthotic patient care and specializes in pediatric orthotics and is a co-founder of Align Clinic. He has been practicing in the San Francisco Bay Area since 1984.
Steve Baum graduated from the State University of New York at Buffalo in 1981, earning a Cum Laude Honors Bachelor’s Degree while putting himself through school. He then earned the Long Term Certificate in Orthotics, maintaining a 4.0 grade point average, at Rancho Los Amigos Hospital, California State University at Dominguez Hills, and the Long Term Certificate of Prosthetic Education at University of California at Los Angeles in 1988. Steve Baum is ABC certified in all areas of orthotic care. He authored a paper which was published in the Journal of the American Orthotic and Prosthetic Association, titled “Initial Standing of the Osteogenesis Imperfecta Patient” (1990, Vol 2, number 2).
Steve Baum started his career at the Lucile Salter Children’s Hospital at Stanford / Rehabilitation Engineering Center as a Staff Orthotist and left as the Head of the Orthotic Service Department. Steve Baum most recently worked as clinic manager for his previous employer at clinics in Palo Alto and Mountain View, CA before co-founding Align Clinic. While at his previous company, Steve Baum was also named the Northern California Pediatric Specialist due to his great experience and passion for the subject. He is looking forward to continuing that role at Align Clinic.
Education and Experience
Continuing Education
- 09/76- 02/81 : State University of New York at Buffalo, Earned a Cum Laude Honors Bachelor's degree while putting himself through school.
- 6/83 - 07/84 Rancho Los Amigos Hospital, California State University at Dominguez Hills. Earned the Long Term Certificate in Orthotics (maintained 4.0 grade average)
- 07/84-12/93 : Lucile Salter Children's Hospital at Stanford / Rehabilitation Engineering Center. Started as Staff Orthotist and left as Head of Orthotic Service Department Head.
- 01/87 : Past the American Board Of Certification (ABC) exam for Orthotics
- 06/87 - 02/88 : University of California at Los Angles. Studied Prosthetics & earned the Accredited Long Term Certificate of Prosthetic Education.
- 11/90 Journal of Prosthetics and Orthotics (JPO). Published and article for the winter 1990 edition of the JPO, volume 2, number 2 edition. Article was entitled 'Initial Standing of the Osteogenesis Imperfecta Patient'.
- 11/93 - 01/14 : NovaCare Orthotics & Prosthetics > Hanger Prosthetics & Orthotics. Started as Staff Orthotist in The San Mateo, CA branch of NovaCare. Company later merged w/ Hanger Prosthetics & Orthotics & the NovaCare name was discontinued. Became Manger of the Palo Alto / Mountain View office & a Northern California Pediatric Specialist for the company.
Continuing Education
- 11/11-12/83 Functional fracture management workshop by Dr Augusto Sarmiento at USC Orthopedic Hospital, Davis
- 06/03/84 American Academy of orthotists & Prosthtists scientic presentations in O & P
- 09/15/87 American Academy of Orthotists & Prosthtists scientific orthotic & prosthetic presentations in Othotic Treatment of Sports injuries and Recational Prosthetics'
- 07/15/90 Developmental Biomechanics, a study of growing lower extremity structures by Beverly Cusick
- 06/91 Orthofeet seminar on foot biomechanics and orthotic therapy
- 10/1990 authored and article on the 'initial standing of the osteogenesis imperfecta patient in the ' Journal of Prosthetics and Orthotics' also known as 'JPO' with Patricia Hazard.
- 01/24/94 Became member of American Academy of Orthotists & Prosthtists
- 06/09/94 Dynamic Splinting by Don Buethorn of Cascade prosthetics & Orthotics (DAFO) (2 day workshop)
- 10/06/94 Oregon Orthotic System course on Basic Rotational control for lower extremities. By jean-Paul Nielsen & Disna Fish (3 day class)
- 09/94 Published in O&P Business News; Tech Tips column. Small article on a trautman cone adapter for on-call use in hospitals.
- 05/11-13/95 Oregon Orthotic System course OOS-2 Advanced Seminar on load bearing and clinical quantification. By Jean-Paul Nielsen & Deana Fish (3 day class)
- 10/95 Boston Brace scoliosis course
- 10/09/96 Charleston Bending Brace seminar & certification. 2 day course taught by Ralph Hooper
- 06/98 Integrated Pedorthotic solutions to Acute foot problems by Dennis Janisse
- 02/28/98 Completed NovaCare pediatric education module and recognized as a pediatric clinical specialist.
- 06/28/98 X-tra Depth university seminar ' Integrated pedorthotic solutions to acute foot problems'
- 03/24/99 Camp Institute of Applied Technology SWASH dynamic hip course
- 04/21/99 American Academy of Orthotists & Prosthtists certificate of Proffesional development in 'Patient Management'
- 04/23/99 Orthomerica products 1 day workshop on the TC-2 / total contact, total control orthotic system.
- 01/10/00 Reciprocating Gait Orthosis seminar by Wally Motloch
- 06/07/02 Jerome halo workship
- 05/14/2003 Reciprocating gait Orthosis and Basko swing phase lock orthotic knee joint by Gary Ogilive & Wally Motloch
- 12/2003 Awarded Hanger P&O Northern CA 'Award for Clinical Excellence'
- 01/2004 Advanced orthotic designs course in the Smart Walker.
- 02/04/04 Horton Technology stance / control KAFO class
- 05/05/06 Completed Innovative Neurotronics Walkaide system training.
- 10/09 Assisted teaching the Cascade DAFO workshop in Oakland, CA
- 02/03/11 Hanger Pediatric Orthotic Seminar (2 day workshop)
- 02/05/13 Hanger Advanced Pediatric Orthotic Seminar (2 day workshop)
- 02/07/13 Electrical Stimulation - Clinical Pathways workshop
- 02/08/13 Carbon fiber applications in O&P
- 02/5/11 Providence nocturnal scoliosis system by Spinal Technology
Steve's Case Presentations
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11 year old patient X-ray taken pre-bracing
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In-brace X-ray
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A Physical Therapist from Sonoma county reached out to us to see if we would be willing to help in a situation concerning a 11 year old boy with a diagnosis of cerebral palsy & scoliosis who would not wear his scoliosis brace.
As the Physical Therapist explained, the family was unhappy with their 6 month old TLSO from a vendor local to their home in Sonoma, CA. The parents said that their son would continually take the brace off when he should be wearing it and had significant red marks from what they assumed was a poor fit. We agreed to see the family if they did not mind the rather long drive (about an hour & a half in normal Bay Area traffic). We found a few issues & noticed the brace's ability to correct the scoliosis was sub-par due to overall tightness, corrective pad placement & lack of relief spaces.
Align Clinic agreed we could help this situation. X-ray films show spine both with & with out the Align Clinic TLSO. The physical therapist, family & patient have all been very happy with the Align Clinic Boston style scoliosis brace. The parents also mentioned that encouraging brace wear is no longer a fight with their child.
As the Physical Therapist explained, the family was unhappy with their 6 month old TLSO from a vendor local to their home in Sonoma, CA. The parents said that their son would continually take the brace off when he should be wearing it and had significant red marks from what they assumed was a poor fit. We agreed to see the family if they did not mind the rather long drive (about an hour & a half in normal Bay Area traffic). We found a few issues & noticed the brace's ability to correct the scoliosis was sub-par due to overall tightness, corrective pad placement & lack of relief spaces.
Align Clinic agreed we could help this situation. X-ray films show spine both with & with out the Align Clinic TLSO. The physical therapist, family & patient have all been very happy with the Align Clinic Boston style scoliosis brace. The parents also mentioned that encouraging brace wear is no longer a fight with their child.
Steve's Testimonials
Emmanuel Standing next to every pair of braces he has worn since the age of two.
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Pedro R. Standing tall and happy in his new bilateral KAFOs. This is his 1st set of KAFOs and he easily stands several inches taller and takes great strain off his quadriceps.
Dear Steve and Team -
Thank you for your excellent and compassionate care of two of my children, Jacob and Hailey. Jacob is now 17 years old and 6'1" with a relatively straight spine after a vertebral tethering. Hailey is now 12 years old and 4'10" with a straightening spine after a vertebral tethering a few months ago.
Every surgeon and scoliosis specialist we have seen has marveled at how well they did with bracing. I drop Steve's name (and Align's name) at every opportunity. My kids would not have braced so successfully without Steve's expertise, attentiveness, and compassion. We honestly never dealt with "bracing objection or revolt" and both of our kids always enjoyed special trips to see "Steve the Brace Guy".
We submitted a Yelp (or was it Google+) review on Align. But I also want to invite you to share my email address and private phone number with any parents who are facing a bracing decision. Everything we read and every expert we spoke with described bracing as the "gold standard" and we got the Golden Boy (Steve) to make and manage our braces. We are forever grateful.
Thank you for giving my children the gift of good spinal health.
Sincerely,
Tim H.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
I wanted to let you know how pleased I am with the KAFO that Steve made for me. I have had 3 other KAFO's made in the Bay Area by other practioners and this KAFO is by far the best KAFO.
The attention to detail, fit, comfort, and finishing details are the best. No scratchy rivets, no noise, no rubbing and best of all I trust it not to break. I have done what for me are long hikes up hill and down, even at high altitude and have had no problems.
Even though Steve is a pediatric specialist, he sure has a pleased consumer in this post-polio patient.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
I was so delighted with the work of Steve Baum, I was compelled to write.
I am a 48 year old polio patient who for the past 46 years has worn a full length leather and steel brace which attached to a shoe with a steel stirrup. I consulted six orthotist's until finally selecting Steve. While two orthotist's were less expensive, All orthotist's suggested that I would do well with a form fitted, polypropylene brace, it was Steve who took the extra care to evaluate my case and suggest creative approaches.
I will admit I was a little concerned about using a healthcare provider whose main brace work was done hundreds of miles away. I too have watched with concern as health care issues are debated. Will health care become like the tailor who fits the customer to the suit?
All my concerns were quickly put to rest by Steve. After all it was the Orthotist, who was most critical -- like the artist who puts his brush to canvas, and then later hires someone to frame the picture. And Artist he is, Steve took my impression while I was standing up, capturing exactly the form that my leg takes when weight bearing.
Today I picked up my brace, just three weeks after the casting. Steve showed the same concern for fit as he had during the casting. Making the slightest of adjustments, he was only satisfied when I was satisfied. While I know that there may be some adjustments necessary after a few weeks, I am confident that Steve will work his magic.
As long as you have professionals like Steve Baum, you will thrive in this very competitive environment. But more importantly, your patients will continue to have the best medical care available, anywhere!
Sincerely, Gordon D.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Recently I was fitted in your office by Steve Baum for a pair of AFO braces after the ones I had been wearing for several years cracked.
I had no idea what these braces should have done for me until wearing the new pair made by Steve. He took the time to learn about my medical condition and was able to design these braces to alleviate my problems in walking.
Your company is very fortunate to have a person of Steve's caring, conscientiousness and ability on its staff. I greatly appreciate Steve's experience in his profession and his understanding of my medical condition, because his finished product has certainly improved my mobility.
Sincerely,
Glenn Y.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
I would like to add a big 'thank you' to Steve Baum. It has been such a pleasure to have him work with us over the years. He is funny, kind, patient and he does superb work making braces that are as pleasing as possible to a teenage girl. We will miss him terribly!
Nicole D's mother
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
I would like to let you know how much I appreciate the superb job and excellent service that Steve Baum has been providing.
I am very dependent on my KAFO brace, without which I cannot leave my house. I have hip and low back pain as well as diabetes, and it's essential that the brace fits perfectly and is comfortable. Steve takes the time to listen and understand the customer's issues and then fixes the problems, sometimes requiring some creative solutions. A few minutes of skillful brace adjustments is the difference between having back and foot pain at the end of each day or not!
Steve has been very patient, skillful and knowledgeable on how to correct the problems and increase the brace's comfort. He has even successfully converted me from my old style metal brace and to the 21st century modernized, plastic braces. It was very inconvenient that most adjustments/changes to a metal brace required sending my brace away for 2-3 weeks and it was hard to communicate the work that need to be done to someone at a different site. With the plastic brace, the fit is more exact and the changes can be done onsite and on the same day!
I've worked with Steve for many (5+) years and I am glad to have found such an excellent Orthotist! I wanted to write and let you know of his good work!
Yours sincerely,
Grace W.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
From a survey while at NovaCare:
"I hate my brace. Steve is nice."
written by Blythe Y. (13y/o)
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Steve is an excellent technician and is great with children while fitting equipment.
Rosie P.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Steve was very accommodating and patient. He went beyond the original scope of work to provide the right fit for my son's braces.
Thanks! Joanne F.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Steve Baum who worked with me has been great! Wonderful personality and very professional!
Charles S.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Thank you for your professional handling of my brace problem. My new brace fits wonderfully & gives me pleasure in walking again.
Thank you, Mrs. Ursula T.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
I was in so much pain when I walked, the Doctor told me not to walk. Since I received my new brace I have been able to walk and enjoy my visits to the museum. I've also been able to go shopping and no longer require the use of a wheelchair at the end of the day. I truly appreciate all the attention I received. Thank you Steve.
Fumi D.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Steve Baum has been my son's Orthotist for years. We have followed him from Stanford. Wouldn't consider ever using an orthotic that he hasn't made. He's simply the best!
Karen J.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Steve Baum is excellent, especially with children.
Sharla S.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Steve Baum, C.O. worked with my wife. He is very knowledgeable, highly skilled in working with stroke victims, shows tremendous sensitivity + concern for clients. He is patient with the client + makes every effort to answer/ educate clients in the use and scope of the brace. We appreciate + commend Steve for his excellence + concern. Please convey our sentiments to Steve.
Beau W.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Steve was helpful, understanding and very thoughtful person when I needed it.
I was blind as to what the boot was going to do and how it was to help me. He took his time with me and really had the patience for all my needs and care of my foot.
Steve is a credit to you organization. I worked or Pacific Bell close to 31 years and I know when an employee is unsatisfactory or an excellent worker. I find Steve to be excellent in what he does.
I would recommend him to any of my friends.
Donna C.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Steve, the person who I dealt with was great. He not only made a great brace, he even impressed my Doctor when he saw the device. Hopefully I will not need your services again, but if I do, I know I'll be in good hands w/ Steve and the folks that work w/ him.
Joseph S.
Thank you for your excellent and compassionate care of two of my children, Jacob and Hailey. Jacob is now 17 years old and 6'1" with a relatively straight spine after a vertebral tethering. Hailey is now 12 years old and 4'10" with a straightening spine after a vertebral tethering a few months ago.
Every surgeon and scoliosis specialist we have seen has marveled at how well they did with bracing. I drop Steve's name (and Align's name) at every opportunity. My kids would not have braced so successfully without Steve's expertise, attentiveness, and compassion. We honestly never dealt with "bracing objection or revolt" and both of our kids always enjoyed special trips to see "Steve the Brace Guy".
We submitted a Yelp (or was it Google+) review on Align. But I also want to invite you to share my email address and private phone number with any parents who are facing a bracing decision. Everything we read and every expert we spoke with described bracing as the "gold standard" and we got the Golden Boy (Steve) to make and manage our braces. We are forever grateful.
Thank you for giving my children the gift of good spinal health.
Sincerely,
Tim H.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
I wanted to let you know how pleased I am with the KAFO that Steve made for me. I have had 3 other KAFO's made in the Bay Area by other practioners and this KAFO is by far the best KAFO.
The attention to detail, fit, comfort, and finishing details are the best. No scratchy rivets, no noise, no rubbing and best of all I trust it not to break. I have done what for me are long hikes up hill and down, even at high altitude and have had no problems.
Even though Steve is a pediatric specialist, he sure has a pleased consumer in this post-polio patient.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
I was so delighted with the work of Steve Baum, I was compelled to write.
I am a 48 year old polio patient who for the past 46 years has worn a full length leather and steel brace which attached to a shoe with a steel stirrup. I consulted six orthotist's until finally selecting Steve. While two orthotist's were less expensive, All orthotist's suggested that I would do well with a form fitted, polypropylene brace, it was Steve who took the extra care to evaluate my case and suggest creative approaches.
I will admit I was a little concerned about using a healthcare provider whose main brace work was done hundreds of miles away. I too have watched with concern as health care issues are debated. Will health care become like the tailor who fits the customer to the suit?
All my concerns were quickly put to rest by Steve. After all it was the Orthotist, who was most critical -- like the artist who puts his brush to canvas, and then later hires someone to frame the picture. And Artist he is, Steve took my impression while I was standing up, capturing exactly the form that my leg takes when weight bearing.
Today I picked up my brace, just three weeks after the casting. Steve showed the same concern for fit as he had during the casting. Making the slightest of adjustments, he was only satisfied when I was satisfied. While I know that there may be some adjustments necessary after a few weeks, I am confident that Steve will work his magic.
As long as you have professionals like Steve Baum, you will thrive in this very competitive environment. But more importantly, your patients will continue to have the best medical care available, anywhere!
Sincerely, Gordon D.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Recently I was fitted in your office by Steve Baum for a pair of AFO braces after the ones I had been wearing for several years cracked.
I had no idea what these braces should have done for me until wearing the new pair made by Steve. He took the time to learn about my medical condition and was able to design these braces to alleviate my problems in walking.
Your company is very fortunate to have a person of Steve's caring, conscientiousness and ability on its staff. I greatly appreciate Steve's experience in his profession and his understanding of my medical condition, because his finished product has certainly improved my mobility.
Sincerely,
Glenn Y.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
I would like to add a big 'thank you' to Steve Baum. It has been such a pleasure to have him work with us over the years. He is funny, kind, patient and he does superb work making braces that are as pleasing as possible to a teenage girl. We will miss him terribly!
Nicole D's mother
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
I would like to let you know how much I appreciate the superb job and excellent service that Steve Baum has been providing.
I am very dependent on my KAFO brace, without which I cannot leave my house. I have hip and low back pain as well as diabetes, and it's essential that the brace fits perfectly and is comfortable. Steve takes the time to listen and understand the customer's issues and then fixes the problems, sometimes requiring some creative solutions. A few minutes of skillful brace adjustments is the difference between having back and foot pain at the end of each day or not!
Steve has been very patient, skillful and knowledgeable on how to correct the problems and increase the brace's comfort. He has even successfully converted me from my old style metal brace and to the 21st century modernized, plastic braces. It was very inconvenient that most adjustments/changes to a metal brace required sending my brace away for 2-3 weeks and it was hard to communicate the work that need to be done to someone at a different site. With the plastic brace, the fit is more exact and the changes can be done onsite and on the same day!
I've worked with Steve for many (5+) years and I am glad to have found such an excellent Orthotist! I wanted to write and let you know of his good work!
Yours sincerely,
Grace W.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
From a survey while at NovaCare:
"I hate my brace. Steve is nice."
written by Blythe Y. (13y/o)
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Steve is an excellent technician and is great with children while fitting equipment.
Rosie P.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Steve was very accommodating and patient. He went beyond the original scope of work to provide the right fit for my son's braces.
Thanks! Joanne F.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Steve Baum who worked with me has been great! Wonderful personality and very professional!
Charles S.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Thank you for your professional handling of my brace problem. My new brace fits wonderfully & gives me pleasure in walking again.
Thank you, Mrs. Ursula T.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
I was in so much pain when I walked, the Doctor told me not to walk. Since I received my new brace I have been able to walk and enjoy my visits to the museum. I've also been able to go shopping and no longer require the use of a wheelchair at the end of the day. I truly appreciate all the attention I received. Thank you Steve.
Fumi D.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Steve Baum has been my son's Orthotist for years. We have followed him from Stanford. Wouldn't consider ever using an orthotic that he hasn't made. He's simply the best!
Karen J.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Steve Baum is excellent, especially with children.
Sharla S.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Steve Baum, C.O. worked with my wife. He is very knowledgeable, highly skilled in working with stroke victims, shows tremendous sensitivity + concern for clients. He is patient with the client + makes every effort to answer/ educate clients in the use and scope of the brace. We appreciate + commend Steve for his excellence + concern. Please convey our sentiments to Steve.
Beau W.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Steve was helpful, understanding and very thoughtful person when I needed it.
I was blind as to what the boot was going to do and how it was to help me. He took his time with me and really had the patience for all my needs and care of my foot.
Steve is a credit to you organization. I worked or Pacific Bell close to 31 years and I know when an employee is unsatisfactory or an excellent worker. I find Steve to be excellent in what he does.
I would recommend him to any of my friends.
Donna C.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Steve, the person who I dealt with was great. He not only made a great brace, he even impressed my Doctor when he saw the device. Hopefully I will not need your services again, but if I do, I know I'll be in good hands w/ Steve and the folks that work w/ him.
Joseph S.
