Now Fitting Bionic Arms in Charlotte: Meet Isabel Gonzalez, CPO

When patients visit the Open Bionics clinic in Charlotte, NC, they meet Isabel Gonzalez, a prosthetist who believes care begins with listening, honesty, and helping people make informed choices.

After earning her degree in sports medicine from Rice University, Isabel completed her prosthetics and orthotics training at UT Southwestern and a dual residency in Pittsburgh before making Charlotte home in 2024. “I wanted to be somewhere I could solve real problems for people every day,” she said. “Opening this clinic in Charlotte allows me to do exactly that.”

Her philosophy is built on transparency and education. “I want people to make an informed choice,” Isabel explained. “I’ll share everything about our bionic options, but I also walk patients through body-powered devices so they can decide what fits their life best.”

She also sets clear expectations from the start. “If a goal might take longer to reach, I’m honest about that. I want patients to feel motivated, not disappointed.”

Growing up bilingual, Isabel often helped her grandmother translate during medical appointments—an experience that shaped her empathy as a clinician. “My grandma avoided care because she was afraid she wouldn’t understand,” she said. “That made me aware of how intimidating healthcare can be for anyone who doesn’t speak English fluently.”

For Isabel, communication is as important as technology. “Whether we speak Spanish together or use interpreter services, I make sure patients leave knowing exactly what to expect,” she said.

That same perspective drew her to Open Bionics. “I like that our arms own the fact that they’re advanced technology,” she said. “They’re not pretending to be human skin—they’re honest tools designed to empower people.” She also appreciates how the company continually evolves. “We’re expanding to help more limb-difference types, like with the new partial-hand gauntlet. It’s exciting to see constant progress.”

The Charlotte clinic, located just off I-85 near UNC Charlotte and IKEA, offers free parking, step-free access, and private consultation rooms inside a Regus building. Each appointment includes a personalized evaluation, MyoPod muscle testing, and time to explore the latest bionic hands, like the Hero Arm, Hero PRO, and Hero RGD. Isabel and her team provide fittings, training, and long-term support to ensure each device becomes a natural part of daily life.

Charlotte’s limb-difference community is still growing. “Most local groups focus on lower-limb care,” Isabel said. “My goal is to build stronger upper-limb networks and partnerships with local rehab centers and clinicians so patients have more ways to connect and make decisions to suit their needs.” The clinic serves patients across North and South Carolina, with additional coverage in western Virginia and parts of eastern Tennessee and Kentucky.

Outside the clinic, Isabel keeps her hands busy in a different way. “I knit every week with a local group,” she said. “Right now, we’re crocheting a Christmas tree for the Ronald McDonald House. It’s my favorite mid-week reset and a small way to give back.”

She’s also an avid Taylor Swift fan who once knitted her own “Reputation”-inspired cardigan. “Knitting started as a fun project, and now it’s my favorite hobby,” she laughed.

Looking ahead, Isabel hopes to make advanced prosthetic care more accessible. “I want to help patients navigate insurance appeals and advocate for change,” she said “We’re also trying super hard to find alternative funding pathways for people who can’t afford the technology or don’t have insurance. Even if we don’t have an immediate funding pathway that suits (and we have quite a few options to explore) we may uncover one later and so we encourage everyone to come in and register with us anyway. We’ve made some amazing things happen for people all over the country.”

Every fitting starts with listening and ends with empowerment. “We’re moving toward a future where bionic arms aren’t rare or experimental,” she said. “They’re reliable, life-changing tools that belong in everyday care.”

Ready to explore what’s possible with today’s bionic technology? Book a free consultation with Isabel at the Open Bionics Charlotte clinic to learn more about how a custom bionic arm can help you meet your goals.