San Jose Clinic
123 DiSalvo Ave., Suite 60
San Jose, CA 95128
408-217-9387
408-413-1108 (fax)
Your Care Team
Erica Ling-Sandhu, CPO, Certified Prosthetist Orthotist, Lead Practitioner
Erica Ling-Sandhu earned a Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Engineering from UC Davis and a Master of Science in Orthotics and Prosthetics from Baylor College of Medicine. During her Baylor residency program, she rotated through multiple practices across the United States.
Erica’s practice includes transtibial and transfemoral prosthetics as well as adult and pediatric lower-extremity orthotics, neurological orthotics, AFO/KAFO management, and cranial remolding orthoses. She is interested in expanding her experience with upper-extremity prosthetics and in working with prosthetic microprocessor knees and ankles/feet. She especially enjoys working with pediatric patients.
Before graduate school, Erica volunteered with the UC Davis Medical Center orthotics department and Shriners Hospitals for Children to gain exposure to O&P. She completed her residency in December 2019 and joined Pacific Medical in January 2020. Her research includes the published article, “The Impact of Diabetic Foot Ulcers and Unilateral Offloading Footwear on Gait in People with Diabetes,” in Clinical Biomechanics.
Erica wanted a hands-on career with variety from day to day. Her volunteer experience with children at Shriners helped solidify her decision to enter O&P, particularly after seeing their resilience and motivation as they worked to improve their mobility.
Outside of the clinic, Erica enjoys camping, hiking, traveling to experience different cultures, baking, and spending time with family. She also values developing professional friendships with her patients.
Peter Ho, CPO, Certified Prosthetist Orthotist
Peter Ho earned a Bachelor of Arts in Biology with a Chemistry minor from Willamette University and a master’s degree in Health Science in Orthotics and Prosthetics from California State University, Dominguez Hills. He completed prosthetic and orthotic residency training with a private practice in Whittier, California.
Peter’s practice includes transtibial, transfemoral, and partial-foot prosthetics as well as adult and pediatric lower-extremity orthotics, neurological orthotics, AFO/KAFO management, and spinal orthotics. He ahs years of experience with many microprocessor systems, Össur Direct Socket and Revo systems, Orthomerica cranial remolding helmets, Ottobock C-Brace, and Össur Neuro Orthotics. He describes himself as a generalist and enjoys cases in which newer technologies can be appropriately used.
Before joining Pacific Medical, Peter spent three years with a private practice, including one year of orthotic residency and one year of prosthetic residency. He now serves as an NCOPE residency mentor.
Peter entered O&P because he wanted to help people, work with his hands, and solve problems. He was introduced to the profession through his undergraduate mentor, who recognized that his interests could be a good fit for the field.
Outside of the clinic, Peter enjoys going to the gym, range shooting, and DIY projects.
Bob Patterson, CO, Certified Orthotist, Cranial Remolding Specialist
Bob Patterson entered the orthotics profession through the U.S. Air Force, where he trained as an Orthopedic Appliance Specialist. He completed a year of training at a hospital in San Antonio, developing skills in patient care and fabrication techniques, and later attended Crthotic Certification courses at UCLA and NYU.
At Pacific Medical, Bob specializes exclusively in cranial remolding orthoses, with particular interest in cranial remolding orthoses and postoperative craniosynostosis management. He especially enjoys working with babies and children.
Before joining Pacific Medical, Bob accumulated 42 years of clinical experience with large, multi-office corporations. His career began in the military after he joined the Air Force during the Vietnam War. Bob later served as President of Region IX of the American Orthotic and Prosthetic Association and has presented at educational meetings of California Children’s Services, Orthomerica’s Star Summit, and state and local medical conferences.
Bob describes his introduction to O&P as a combination of timing and luck. His Air Force medical training concluded as positions became available in the Orthopedic Appliance specialty, and his knowledge of metals, machinery, and anatomy proved to be a strong match for the profession. The patient-care and fabrication training he received during his first year helped establish the foundation for his long career.
Outside of the clinic, Bob enjoys scuba diving and is a PADI Master Scuba Diver Trainer. He also enjoys golf and traveling to exotic destinations with his wife and family.
Tom Elias, CO, Certified Orthotist
Tom Elias earned a Bachelor of Science in Orthotics and Prosthetics from California State University, Dominguez Hills and completed residency training at Rancho Los Amigos Medical Center.
Tom’s practice is focused on orthotic care, including adult and pediatric lower-extremity orthotics, neurological orthotics, AFO/KAFO management, mechanical stance-control KAFOs, spinal orthotics, scoliosis management, trauma/fracture orthotics, and upper-extremity orthotics. He is particularly passionate about pediatric neurological care and especially enjoys working with pediatric patients.
Tom began his O&P career as a technician and has worked in several institutional and privately held patient-care settings. His experience includes Long Beach Artificial Limb Company, Rancho Los Amigos Medical Center, the Rehab Engineering Center at Lucile Salter Packard Children’s Hospital at Stanford, and the Center for Independent Rehabilitative Services in San Jose. At Rancho Los Amigos, his responsibilities included precepting and teaching students, and at Pacific Medical he has served as a COPA-recognized preceptor.
Tom values the balance between working with his hands to create devices that help people and working directly with the people who use those devices. He describes that combination as the most fulfilling aspect of his career.
Outside of the clinic, Tom enjoys gardening, particularly growing peppers that he uses to make his own hot sauces.
John Paul Snapp, CPO, Certified Prosthetist Orthotist
John Paul Snapp earned a Bachelor of Science in Education from the University of North Texas and completed a certificate program in Orthotics and Prosthetics at Northwestern University. He completed his residency training in private practice.
John Paul’s orthotic practice includes adult and pediatric lower-extremity orthotics, neurological orthotics, AFO/KAFO management, spinal orthotics, cranial remolding orthoses, sports and ligament bracing, and trauma/fracture orthotics. He has a particular interest in helping infants through the use of cranial remolding orthoses.
John Paul has worked in a variety of clinical settings, including hospitals, rehabilitation centers, and private practice. He also served as the sole contracted orthotist for Oregon Health Sciences University Hospital and its vascular clinic.
After teaching elementary-age students for 10 years, John Paul sought a career that would allow him to work with people of all ages. He saw O&P as a way to help people improve mobility and quality of life through physical interventions.
Outside of the clinic, John Paul enjoys cycling, skiing, and spending time at the gym. He also stays busy with his young daughter.
Aileen Menkin, CPO, Certified Prosthetist Orthotist, Cranial Remolding Specialist
Aileen Menkin earned a Bachelor of Arts in Theater Arts from UC Santa Cruz and a Master of Science in Orthotics and Prosthetics (MSOP) from CSU Dominguez Hills. She completed her orthotic and prosthetic residency programs with large national provider in Stockton and San Jose. She is also a Starband Certified Cranial Specialist and All Star Team Member.
At Pacific Medical, Aileen specializes exclusively in cranial remolding orthoses, including postoperative cranial remolding for craniosynostosis. She began working in cranial care in 2019 when she covered for a colleague who specialized in cranial remolding. She was drawn to the tangible results often seen during treatment and the satisfaction of helping families see their baby’s head shape improve over the course of care. Focusing exclusively on cranial remolding has allowed Aileen to build greater competence and confidence working with infants and toddlers.
Prior to joining Pacific Medical, Aileen completed her orthotics residency at large national provider in Stockton and her prosthetics residency in San Jose/Gilroy. She then continued work with the same company as a general orthotist in the San Jose location for four years before joining Pacific Medical as a cranial specialist. Aileen is also part of the Orthomerica All Star program, a network of providers committed to standardized clinical practices and collecting outcome measures for research purposes.
Aileen entered O&P after working for many years in theater building sets and props and working in lighting. She initially considered physical therapy but became interested in O&P after meeting orthotists casting custom braces while she was volunteering in an inpatient spinal cord injury physical therapy department. She was excited by the opportunity to incorporate her craftsmanship skills into a career in healthcare.
Outside of the clinic, Aileen enjoys dancing, indoor rock climbing, jigsaw puzzles, and organizing social events with friends.
Tricia Salustro, Lead Office Administrator
Tricia brings 38 years of healthcare and medical administration experience to her role as Lead Office Administrator at Pacific Medical. Before joining Pacific Medical, she worked in the durable medical equipment (DME) industry as an office lead, where she developed extensive experience working with insurance companies. She later transitioned into orthotics and prosthetics and has now been with Pacific Medical for 14 years.
Tricia enjoys helping patients and their families navigate their care and values the relationships that develop over time, particularly with pediatric patients and their families. She is committed to creating an efficient and supportive experience while helping patients understand and navigate their individual needs.
What initially drew Tricia to O&P was the opportunity to work in a field that could make a meaningful difference for patients and the community. She continues to enjoy the constantly evolving nature of the profession, including changes in insurance, billing, and available products.
As a leader, Tricia values collaboration and helping others succeed. She strives to lead with empathy, communication, and consistency so both patients and team members feel heard, supported, and valued.
Outside of work, Tricia enjoys camping, fishing, and spending time with family and friends.
