Dr. Stoneback’s Clinical Team – University of Colorado Limb Restoration Program
Maria Kouzmina, AGNP, CNP
Maria Kouzmina is a Nurse Practitioner (NP) specializing in orthopedics. Her clinical practice focuses on deformity correction, nonunion treatment, limb lengthening, and osseointegration in amputees. Maria assists Dr. Stoneback in the operating room and sees patients in the clinic to prepare them for surgery and monitor post-operative recovery.
Maria received her Bachelor of Nursing Science Degree at the University of Central Florida. A couple of years later she moved to beautiful Colorado in pursuit of her master's Degree in Nursing at the University of Colorado. Maria graduated in 2017 and has been working as a part of the Limb Restoration and Complex Reconstruction team with Dr. Stoneback since 2019.
Maria loves nature and enjoys everything it has to offer. She is an avid hiker, gardener, and skier.
Denise Knutson, Med, LAT, ATC
Denise Knutson joined the Limb Restoration team in the summer of 2022. As the OI program coordinator, Denise facilitates the Osseointegration experience from intake to evaluation through surgery, rehab, and beyond. With the reinforcement of her teammates’ expertise, her focus is to educate and support all OI patients throughout their journey. Denise’s formal education began with obtaining a BS in Athletic Training from the University of Illinois in Champaign, and a Master’s Degree from the University of Missouri in Columbia. Following graduate school, the rocks and mountains of Colorado led her heart to the Front Range, where she began working for the Boulder Center for Sports Medicine, at its inception and wore many hats during her time at Boulder Community Hospital. Her varied responsibilities at BCH include Coordinator of Outreach, where she helped organize and provide medical coverage for the Boulder Valley School District and local athletic events including the well-known Bolder Boulder 10k race. In addition, she implemented and designed rehabilitation programs alongside Physical Therapists, provided sideline injury care for the University of Colorado Club Sports teams, assisted with planning coach and student clinics, and organization of medical symposiums. In addition, Denise worked as the Clinical Athletic Trainer supporting CU Sports Medicine’s variety of Orthopedic Specialists and Physiatrists in the Boulder office. When Denise is not working, she fills her time with big and small adventures from baking new recipes, reading several books at a time, caring for her dogs, and meandering mountain trails with her Canon in hand.
Lindsey Hedges, RN, BSN
Lindsey Hedges is the Nurse Navigator for the Limb Restoration team. She handles new patient referrals, coordinates pre- and post-operative care for Limb Restoration patients, and facilitates communication among multidisciplinary team members. Lindsey attended the University of Colorado - Colorado Springs to obtain her Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing in 2005. Her first nursing job caring for orthopedic trauma patients in a hospital setting led her to develop a fondness for the orthopedic patient population. Lindsey has worked in hospitals and insurance settings before joining the Limb Restoration Team in 2020. Two years later in 2022, Lindsey received the nationally recognized DAISY Award, which is awarded to nurses who go above and beyond their duties and provide excellence in clinical care. Lindsey is a Montana native but considers Colorado home. She enjoys reading, gardening, and spending time with family.
Kristine McGuire, LCSW, CCTP
Kristine McGuire is a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) and certified clinical trauma professional (CCTP) at the UCHealth Orthopedics Clinic. She is afforded the opportunity to work with patients receiving care in limb restoration, osseointegration, orthopedic trauma, and oncology clinics. Kristine has more than fifteen years of experience as a social worker within the healthcare and forensic systems. She was part of a team of dedicated professionals and patients who successfully advocated for the passage of HB23-1136 for recreational prosthetics to be covered by health insurance in Colorado and continues to advocate for the promotion of equality and equity within the healthcare system at the federal and state levels. Kristine grew up in metro Detroit and received her Bachelor of Social Work degree from Western Michigan University in 2008. She then went on to receive her Master of Social Work from the University of Kansas in 2010. She lives in Aurora, CO with her partner, Brian, and enjoys spending time with friends in the Colorado sunshine, as well as volunteering with the Amputee Coalition.
Kendall Murray, ATC
Kendall Murray is a Certified Athletic Trainer currently working with the Limb Restoration team at the University of Colorado Hospital. A native of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, Kendall graduated with a B.S. in Athletic Training from West Chester University of Pennsylvania and then went on to get her M.A. in Kinesiology with a concentration in Athletic Training from San Jose State University. Following her time at San Jose, Kendall worked at Tusculum College serving the women’s volleyball and softball athletes. She was also an adjunct professor in the Athletic Training Education Program. Kendall then relocated to Fort Collins, Colorado where she worked at Rebound Sports & Physical Therapy as well as assisting a local Sports Medicine provider at Associates in Family Medicine. After clinic hours, she worked as a Certified Athletic Trainer for Liberty Common High School athletes. Kendall then moved to Raleigh, North Carolina from 2019-2022 where she worked for Duke Orthopaedics in the Adult Reconstruction Division. She has been back in Colorado since November 2022. Away from work, Kendall enjoys baking and spending time outdoors with her husband and two kids.
Heather Iverson, Program Coordinator, UCHealth
Heather has worked in orthopedics for over 10 years, starting out as a medical assistant before transitioning to surgery coordination. Her familiarity with the clinical aspects of the department has allowed her to become an expert in its administrative and insurance processes. Heather joined Dr. Stoneback’s team in 2020 as the Program Coordinator for the Osseointegration and Limb Restoration Programs. She handles everything from cohort schedules to the insurance and finance aspects of a patient’s treatment. When not at work, Heather enjoys traveling, camping, fishing, and being with her children.
Deformity Correction
