Van Der Watt in front of the Louvre Museum in Paris.
FORT SMITH, AR — There’s no doubt about it, Francois Van Der Watt, CPO, LPO is a busy man. He is a Master in Public Health (MPH) student at Arkansas Colleges of Health Education (ACHE), and a part-time Adjunct Instructor of Physical Therapy at ACHE. Van Der Watt is also the owner of Van Der Watt Prosthetics & Orthotics and was the official Team Prosthetist for the U.S. Paralympic Track & Field Team during the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris.
This marks Van Der Watt’s fourth appearance at the Paralympic Games as the U.S. Track & Field Team Prosthetist, and he brings a wealth of knowledge and passion to the role. “Every time is a unique experience you can’t compare it to,” Van Der Watt shared.
As Team Prosthetist for the U.S. Para Track & Field Team, Van Der Watt assists athletes in need of prosthetic adjustments, repairs, and maintenance. His role is essential not only for the athletes’ performance but also for their overall well-being throughout the Games, ensuring that each athlete’s prosthetics are competition-ready, allowing them to perform at their highest potential.
Van Der Watt was born in South Africa and graduated from the Technikon Pretoria in 1996 with a National Diploma in Medical Orthotics and Prosthetics. He immigrated to America in 2002 and became a U.S. Citizen in 2018. Locally, he brings his passion, experience, and extensive knowledge in general prosthetic and orthotic care to patients of all ages and functional levels at Van Der Watt Prosthetics & Orthotics in Greenwood and Barling, Arkansas.
Van Der Watt with the Paralympic Flame in the background.
With an impressive resume, Van Der Watt continues to further his education while pursuing his MPH degree at ACHE. “In my profession as a Prosthetist, I see a patient by the time all other medical care has failed. Enrolling into the MPH program I want to learn how to influence the public health crises of diabetic-related amputations,” says Van Der Watt. “What preventative measures can be taken to help a patient control their A1C? How can we prevent a diabetic foot callus from turning into a foot ulcer that turns into osteomyelitis, or gangrene and ends up in an amputation of the limb? I want to learn and understand how policy and regulations can change the narrative on a local, state and national level.”
Looking ahead, the 2028 Summer Paralympics will be held in Los Angeles. Whether you’re chasing your personal best athletically or in some other realm, Van Der Watt continues to empower everyone to reach their goals.
Francois Van Der Watt with the Eiffel Tower during the 2024 Paralympic Games.