Ralph W. Nobbe, CPO – President

Mr. Nobbe obtained his orthotic certification in 1982 and prosthetics in 1984. He is president of Nobbe Orthopedic, Inc. and a board member of the California Orthotic and Prosthetic Association. He has also served as president of Independent Orthotic and Prosthetic Provider Network and is certified as an orthotic and prosthetic examiner by the American Board for Certification. He currently serves as the consumer liaison to the California Orthotic and Prosthetic Association. He also serves on the government relations committee of the American Prosthetic and Orthotic Association.

Rolf Schiefel, CP – Vice President

Mr. Schiefel achieved his prosthetic certification in 1975. His prosthetic training and residency was obtained at the Handwerskammer in Muenster, Germany. He continues to be the production coordinator for all custom fabrication at Nobbe Orthopedic, Inc.

Erwin Nobbe, CPO

In 1941, Mr. Nobbe graduated from high school, which is the equivalent of Junior College in the United States. Early training as an orthopedic technician was interrupted by the war, which ended for him at an American POW camp in Cherbourg, France. He was released in 1945.

Mr. Nobbe acquired the title of Master Orthopedic Technician in 1955. Subsequently, he accepted a position with the International Red Cross and was selected to develop the Orthotic and Prosthetic department at the University Hospital in Istanbul, Turkey.

In 1959 he immigrated to the United States where Mr. Nobbe completed his education in Othotics and Prosthetics at both North Western University and the University of California Los Angeles. He achieved dual certification in 1961 from the American Board for Certification in Orthotics and Prosthetics.

He relocated to Santa Barbara and acquired what was then known as Pava Orthopedic Lab in 1964. This became what is now Nobbe Orthopedics, Inc.

Eric Baron, CPO

Mr. Baron obtained his certifications in prosthetics in 1980 and orthotics in 1981. He obtained his bachelors degree from the University of Washington in Orthotics and Prosthetics. He joined Nobbe Orthopedic, Inc. in 1990 after many years at the Child Amputee Prosthetics Project at UCLA. He continues to maintain subspecialties in pediatric and upper extremity prosthetics.

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Sharadi Nobbe, RN, BSN

Sharadi obtained her Bachelors of Science in Nursing from California State University, Bakersfield in 1995. She spent five years in the hospital setting specializing in labor and delivery followed by seven years with the Santa Barbara County Health Department in the role of Public Health Nurse. Her clinical expertise is varied and includes pre and post-operative care, mental health, communicable disease, Maternal /Child Health and Women’s Health. Sharadi joined Nobbe Orthopedics in October of 2006 in the role of Cranial/Medical services coordinator.

Bret Laurent, CP

This career change for Bret was inspired from his work with a French Non-Government Organization in the early 1990’s. He completed his formal studies in prosthetics at NUPOC in Chicago in 2000. Bret completed his residency in Prosthetics at UCSF and moved to the mid-Atlantic area to begin his new career. His family and the desire to be near the ocean brought him back to California and to Nobbe Orthopedics in 2006.

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Jerry Hartmann, CP

Mr. Hartmann graduated from California State University, Domingez Hills with a Bachelors in Health Science with a Minor in Prosthetics and Orthotics in 1991. He joined Nobbe Orthopedics originally in 1996 for a brief 2 years and was enthusiastically welcomed back in 2008. Jerry has a vast background in the field of O&P that includes fabrication, provision of specialized prosthetics and orthotics, management of his own facility, and specialty training in pediatric care at Shriners Hospital. On a personal note, Jerry proudly served his country as a Marine and is an avid cyclist and swimmer.

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David Littig, CP

Mr. Littig graduated in 1976 from California State University, Fresno with a Bachelors in Industrial Arts. In 1985 he graduated from the UCLA School of Prosthetics. David joined Nobbe Orthopedics in 2011, bringing a wealth of experience. This experience includes ongoing work as a consultant to the Veterans Administration, service on the prosthetics faculty at UCLA, and development of several patented prosthetic devices. David enjoys restoring old cars, fishing and a prosthetic challange.

Peggy Travis, CNA

Peggy J. Travis, CNA, is certified to provide prosthetic fittings after all types of breast surgery and to provide compression garments. Peggy has 16 years of home health and convalescent care experience and has been with Nobbe Orthopedics since 1996. 

Jessica Fewell

Jessica has been with Nobbe Orthopedics since 2007 and is our Bookkeeper.

Lupe Rodriguez

Lupe is our receptionist in Santa Maria and has been with Nobbe Orthopedics since 2008.

Daniela Robles

Daniela is our Insurance Coordinator and has been with Nobbe Orthopedics since 2009.

MaryLou Ramirez

MaryLou has been with Nobbe Orthopedics since 2007 and is our Receptionist

Josh Schultz

Josh has been with Nobbe Orthopedics since 2002 functioning in 2 roles as Technical Support and Purchasing.

Tina Noriega

Tina is our Projects Specialist in Santa Barbara and has been with Nobbe Orthopedics since 1996.

Chris Orr

Chris has been with Nobbe Orthopedics since 2006 and functions as our IT and Technical support.