Our Story


Mr. Barr returned to practicing in Clearwater in 1997 working for another company. He then started Barr Prosthetics in August 2003 in Clearwater, FL. We are a small family-owned business serving Pinellas county for over 20 years. You will be evaluated, receive a treatment plan, fit and followed up with your orthotic or prosthetic progress by an ABC Certified and state licensed practitioner. We involve all patients in their care plan and develop interpersonal relationships with family members and the rehab team, it is our goal to make you feel as comfortable as possible and meet each individual’s needs for the best positive outcomes. Every patient’s needs are important to us no matter how little or how big the needs are in the patient’s eyes and we stay focused on the “Continuity of Care”.

We see patients in our office by appointment providing they have a prescription from their physician. In addition, we will need physician progress notes, diagnosis codes, radiology reports, surgical reports, etc. We can assist you in obtaining this additional information. You will find the appropriate forms on this site to fill out prior to your appointment. We provide Pre-op consultations for orthotic and prosthetic patients. We will explain the different stages after the surgery up to receiving your first prosthesis. We will show different types of suspension methods, socket designs, feet, knees and much more via pictures or examples in our office. We also service all the major hospitals in the surrounding area and are on call 24/7 for acute and trauma cases. And we provide services to one of the largest CVA (stroke) hospitals in the area.

Meet the team

James (Jim) Barr – CPO, LPO

Mr. Barr received his B.S. degree in Technology from Eastern Illinois University in 1984. His beginning in the Orthotics and Prosthetics profession started 40 years ago at Clearwater P&O Labs as a technician doing a year’s apprenticeship in prosthetics. He then did another year’s apprenticeship in orthotics at the Orthotic Center. He completed Northwestern University’s program in Orthotics in 1987 and Prosthetics in 1988. After school he completed two years of residency in both Florida and Iowa to become an ABC Certified practitioner. In 1998 he became a Licensed Practitioner in the state of Florida. In 2003 he purchased Clearwater Prosthetics and Orthotics and changed the name to Barr Prosthetics and Orthotics. He has stayed in Clearwater to provide the best quality of care to patients in need of prosthetic and orthotic services. He strives to always put the patient’s needs first. He entered this profession to help make a difference in people’s lives. In 1994 he went on a humanitarian trip to Vietnam with a Christian mission to care for patients with post-polio, trauma, and amputees to name a few. There is a news article outlining his trip which is mounted and hung on his office wall.

Kari Emery – Office Manager


Kari started with Barr Prosthetics and Orthotics in 2010 as Office Manager. She is very instrumental in making sure the company operates smoothly and that all patients are felt welcome and cared for. Some of her key roles include scheduling patient’s appointments, assisting with their needed paperwork, obtaining insurance authorizations, billing claims, managing and ordering inventory, and all other administrative needs. Prior to joining Barr Prosthetics and Orthotics she worked in her mother’s occupational therapy office. She has always had an interest in changing people’s lives and assisting in their care wherever needed. Kari’s role has been very instrumental in the success of Barr P&O and patient outcomes.

Lauren Carter – O&P Resident

Lauren is currently completing her combined O&P residency here at Barr Prosthetics & Orthotics. She started working for Barr P&O after her 5-week clinical rotation in August 2024. She received a B.S. degree in Exercise Science from the University of Dayton in May 2023 and then went on to the International Institute of Orthotics & Prosthetics graduating with a Master of Science in Prosthetics & Orthotics in December 2024. Lauren has been committed to entering this field since 2020 after finding her passion for healthcare during the pandemic. She worked at the Dayton Children’s Hospital while finishing up her bachelor’s degree. This experience increased her patient care skills such as technical competencies, bedside manners, and communication abilities. Lauren possesses the same compassion and commitment to quality patient care that has been the mainstay and model of Barr P&O. She has proven to be a wonderful asset to our team.

Jim Barr’s Credentials and Honors

  • Certified Prosthetist/Orthotist (CPO)
  • Florida Licensed Prosthetist/Orthotist (LPO)
  • Member and Donor of FCA (Fellowship of Christian Athletes)
  • Member AAOP (American Academy of Orthotist and Prosthetists) from 1990 to present 
  • Member FAOP (Florida Association of Orthotist and Prosthetists) from 1999 to present 
    • 2001-2018 served on the board as secretary, president elect, president and immediate past president
  • Concurrently have served six years on the board of directors for FCAAOP (Florida Chapter) as president elect, president, and immediate past president
  • Taught O&P program as an adjunct professor at St. Petersburg College of Orthotics and Prosthetics