Bio

A life altering decision turned into a calling to help others.

In 1980, Daniel Bastian ’83, was diagnosed with osteogenic sarcoma in his right leg. Dan underwent many unsuccessful surgeries to try and repair the damage that his bone and musculature suffered. He eventually made the extremely difficult decision to have his right leg amputated. Since 1989, he has walked with a prosthesis.

After graduating from Lourdes, Dan received his Bachelor’s in Computer Science from Marist College in 1987. He worked as a systems programmer for IBM in Poughkeepsie until 1994. Deciding to switch gears, in 1995, Dan received his Graduate degree in Prosthetics and Orthotics from Newington Children’s Hospital and the University of Connecticut. He began his career as a Prosthetist at Advanced Prosthetics and Orthotics in Manhasset, NY, becoming American Board Certified in Prosthetics in July, 1996. He then spent three years with Manhasset Orthotics and Prosthetics. In October, 1999 Dan opened Progressive O&P, Inc. located in Albertson, NY.

As a champion for amputees, Dan helps those who have been born without or have lost limbs due to injury or amputation deal with the emotional hurdles and the healing process. Living as an amputee himself, he understands and encourages his patients to live life to the fullest. 

Progressive O&P houses a state-of-the-art prosthetics and orthotics lab and keeps on top of the latest technology. Dan is extremely dedicated to patient’s rights, especially in the realm of health care. He led the fight in NYS to change the healthcare law limiting amputees to one prosthesis for their entire life. His hard work and perseverance paid off and the restriction was removed. 

Dan is one of nine children, all of who attended Our Lady of Lourdes. With a great love for the water, Dan enjoys boating and swimming in the waters off Massapequa, where he lives with his wife Tricia. They have two children, Noah and Lily.