There are moments in life that affect us in ways we never could have expected. Whether it directly impacts us personally – or those hundreds of miles away – we never can plan for how tragedy might shape our futures. For 2017 grad Olivia Collavo, that moment happened on April 15th, 2013. What started off as a joyous day across Boston ended in tragedy, as a bombing at the historic marathon left three people dead and 16 losing limbs. For Collavo, a middle schooler at the time, it was a call to action.
“I vividly remember waiting for the bus to take me to lacrosse practice at Maine Memorial when the alert went off: 'Boston Marathon Bombing.' As someone who had always been passionate about running and major marathons, I was deeply shaken by the tragedy. I felt for the people affected and became especially interested in the rehabilitation process of the survivors. I followed their journeys closely and was fascinated by how custom prosthetic devices helped them regain mobility and walk again,” said Collavo.
The tragedy impacted Collavo in ways she never could have imagined, but she now felt a calling to dedicate her life to helping others. Following graduation, she’d turn her mission into a realty, going on to attend, and graduate from the Prosthetics and Orthotics post-graduate program at Northwestern Feinberg School of Medicine. Today, she’s completing her residency in Prosthetics and Orthotics at Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago.
“I feel incredibly fortunate to be working at my dream hospital, in my dream residency program, alongside such intelligent and humble colleagues,” said Collavo.
While she’s already living her dream at a young age, Collavo credits her time at Maine-Endwell for helping shape her future and deliver on her goals. This Homecoming Queen and accomplished swimmer and lacrosse player says Spartan Country brought some of her greatest life memories.
“Whether it was spending time with my teammates on bus rides to practices or games, enduring preseason swim doubles in the heat of August, or enjoying pasta parties to carb up before meets, these are the moments I look back on with a smile. I also have a great memory from the fall of my senior year when I was crowned homecoming queen. I was lucky to share the court with nine of my close friends, and I loved spending our last homecoming season and pep rally together,” said Collavo.
Additionally, Collavo says her time at Maine-Endwell taught her life qualities she still uses today.
“Maine-Endwell High School prepared me for my future in several significant ways. First, they encouraged leadership both in school and through sports, which helped me build confidence and communication skills. Balancing a busy schedule with multiple extracurriculars taught me valuable time management and organizational skills, which have been essential moving forward. Additionally, the support I received from my teachers allowed me to thrive academically, as they were always available to offer guidance and encouragement. Overall, the experiences at Maine-Endwell helped me develop both personally and academically, giving me a strong foundation for the future,” said Collavo.
The 2017 grad also credits her teachers for bringing education to life.
“Another unforgettable memory was learning about our government and electoral systems during the 2016 election. Mrs. Murat took our entire AP US Government and Politics class to Washington D.C. to witness the presidential inauguration. While the outcome wasn’t one many of us were excited about, attending such a historic event is a memory I’ll never forget,” said Collavo.
Today, whether Collavo is creating a custom prosthesis to improve the mobility of a person living with limb loss or fitting an orthotic helmet to correct a baby’s skull development – every day provides her with a chance to change lives.
“The moment a patient is fit for a prosthetic or orthotic device is both emotional and transformative. It’s inspiring to see someone who once felt limited by their condition embrace life with renewed normalcy. My favorite part of my current role is helping kids gain mobility and independence, pain-free, so they can keep up with their peers and do all the things other kids can do,” said Collavo.
As Collavo works through her residency, she hopes to one day become a certified prosthetist orthotist, likely specializing in pediatrics. Children have forever touched her life, and she says her goal is to continue enhancing their independence. On a personal level, when this Spartan grad isn’t enjoying a run alongside a Chicago lake, or vacationing at the beach, she’s often enjoying new restaurants or walking her dog around the city she now calls home.
While April 15th, 2013 will forever live in infamy, it’s a day that changed Olivia Collavo’s life forever, and children and adults around the world are now impacted by her life’s work. She hopes to only continue that mission in the future.