5 Questions with Dr. Kyle Leister

Dr. Kyle Leister is one of just 50 professionals in the world with a Ph.D. in orthotics and prosthetics — and he chose to make East Tennessee State University home. Originally from Pittsburgh, his path to Johnson City isn’t the most linear. But his excitement at launching ETSU’s Orthotics and Prosthetics program — the first of its kind in Tennessee — is palpable.

How did you find your passion for education?

Basically, I came to the realization that, if I can do this, anyone can do it – you just need the right people surrounding you to support you through it. I feel like I can be that person for others. Teaching students how to do science well, that’s going to set them up for success no matter what they end up doing – especially in a field like O&P.

With so few of these programs nationwide (ETSU’s will be the 14th), how does it feel to be leading one?

This program has got to be successful and perform at a very high level, and I came here to do just that. There’s no way we’re going to settle for anything less than excellence. This is, in many ways, a really new program here, and you’re coming in on the ground floor – giving you an opportunity to build it how you’d like.

How exciting is that for you?

That sunk in after my first interview when I came back to campus, went into our laboratory space, and saw this beautiful blank canvas. I don’t have to build it myself, but I also have a say in how this will shake out. Having been in many different O&P labs, I have an opportunity to improve things I wish I could have improved in other places.

What is it about ETSU that made you feel like it’s the place for you?

It’s a beautiful campus, and the ability to be outside and do so many amazing activities was a huge selling point. Beyond that, there’s a lot of opportunity to collaborate with other colleges and departments on campus. There are all these resources here at ETSU that made coming here a no-brainer decision.

Though you’re not expecting your first cohort of students until May, what do you hope to see from the O&P program in the future?

I hope to see clinicians who are going out into the field, getting good residencies, and having a high first-time pass rate on board exams. Most of all, I want to see the students out there being compassionate clinicians – that’s priority No. 1.