Greg Davidson, CPO, has plenty to keep him active in the beautiful northwestern town of Puyallup, Washington, when he is not busy working at Preferred O&P Services in Federal Way. Along with his wife, Cathy, and ten-year-old son, Connor, Davidson enjoys hiking, skiing, and mountaineering the Cascade Range, but a recent adventure with a patient introduced Davidson to a whole new way of getting around. "I had the opportunity to go ski-biking with one of my patients, J. Weil, who is a very energetic 'seasoned' amputee," Davidson says. That one trip was all it took, and Davidson and Weil acquired a number of ski-bikes and spent the last ski season teaching amputees how to ride them. This season, they plan to involve servicemen and servicewomen from the Wounded Warriors program. 1. What has motivated/inspired you in your life and/or professional pursuits? It may sound corny, but I find myself getting more excited about my work every day. What is more thrilling than helping someone walk for the first time-and then seeing them stroll in a week later with no crutches and a proud smile? What is better than the look on person's face when a socket fits comfortably, or the whip in the knee disappears, or when a woman gets her first shaped leg? This job can be stressful at times, but it sure is rewarding. 2. How has your career progressed? Early on I was drawn to prosthetics, though it took over a decade to attract enough patients to occupy all of my time. The wonderful aspect of working with amputees is the great friendships that build through the years. Also, I have found that I am continually learning and developing new ideas. Not only is technology rapidly evolving, but many patients have unique challenges that require creative solutions. 3. What advice would you give to someone just entering the O&P profession? Seek out employment that allows you the freedom to do your own technical work. This goes against an industry trend, but it will enhance your ability to provide the highest quality care for your patients. You will better understand what is possible with materials and have more time to creatively think about how to optimize the project for the patient. Also, developing quality finishing techniques will set you apart from your competition. 4. How do you set yourself apart from other practitioners in your area? I don't wear a tie or fancy clothes and am usually covered in dust, but at least my patients see that I enjoy what I do. My style is to always let the patient know what I am doing and why, and to allow them as much control in the fitting process as possible. The more active amputees often like the freedom to try different systems to figure out what works best for them. 5. How would you describe your approach to patient care? Developing a trusting friendship is so important. They need to feel comfortable enough to express problems and frustrations and know that I will bend over backwards to get it right. Often amputees require immediate attention and always should feel like they are a priority. The real challenge is to provide the quality of care that will keep patients returning for the rest of their lives.
