<img class="stroke-black-1" style="float: right;" src="https://opedge.com/Content/OldArticles/images/2009-07_11/2009-07_11-01.jpg" alt="Scott Wimberley" hspace="4" vspace="4" /> Scott Wimberley may be one of the busiest technicians in O&P. He serves as production-facility manager for Cornerstone Prosthetics and Orthotics, Everett, Washington; technical-services manager at Cornerstone's sister company, Fabtech Systems, Mukilteo, Washington; and chief implementation officer (CIO) of lean manufacturing for both. An amputee since infancy, Wimberley discovered a passion for rock climbing at age 20, and by age 23 he was a sponsored pro climber. That year, while working for California's National Parks Service, he was involved in a vertical rescue on a 1,000-ft. cliff, which drove him to become a certified emergency medical technician (EMT) and move to Yosemite National Park, where he specialized in high-angle rescue. Wimberley, now the father of a toddler and with another child on the way, says his personal goals now revolve around his family. <h2><span style="font-size: 14pt;">1. How did you become interested in O&P?</span></h2> Throughout grade school, I was a fixture in the lab at Floyd's Braces & Limbs in Wilmington, North Carolina, for repairs or adjustments. Plundering around that shop was so interesting, though I never thought of doing it as a career. In 1996, I was offered a job by Hosmer, San Jose, California, and while the position I was offered never materialized, I really enjoyed being in the business. <h2><span style="font-size: 14pt;">2. What has motivated you in your life and/or profession?</span></h2> Growing up, I was surrounded by very supportive family and friends who did me the justice of not cutting me any slack. I have always had a drive to see what I was capable of, the belief that anything is possible, and a love for creating things. All three were a natural fit for O&P, where every day you need at least one of them. No matter what got me into the industry, the great people have kept me here. <h2><span style="font-size: 14pt;">3. How has your career progressed?</span></h2> I couldn't ask for a better career—I've had the opportunity to grow and better myself since day one. My formal introduction was learning prosthetics, focusing on upper extremity, with Jim Skardoutos, who's arguably the best arm man in the business. From there, I went to work at the UCSF Stanford Health Care facility, Palo Alto, California, where I was exposed to an extremely diverse patient base with conditions rarely seen in private practice. In the Pacific Northwest, I landed at Cornerstone Prosthetics and Orthotics, which has taken me all over the country and as far away as Japan. Its focus on education has also allowed me to speak at various educational fairs, participate in exam review at the ABC technical summit, and moderate on <a href="https://opedge.dev/3271">oandptech.com</a> <h2><span style="font-size: 14pt;">4. What does your company do?</span></h2> Cornerstone Prosthetics and Orthotics provides patient care and devices, and it challenges and encourages employees to respectfully lead patients to their vocational, recreational, and lifestyle goals. Cornerstone's focus on lean systems practice gave us so much extra fabrication capacity that we started Fabtech Systems to sell our excess capacity to other clinics. Fabtech has expertise in devices ranging from traditional leather and steel to CAD prosthetics and orthotics fabricated from prepreg carbon. We place a very high priority on workplace safety, and we design, refine, and distribute a full line of materials, tools, and equipment. Our focus on lean manufacturing has brought so many businesses to our tour-ready, 6,000 sq.-ft. facility that we've been consulting on the O&P applications of lean for more than four years. We are the only company in the industry with ABC-credentialed lean-training courses. <h2><span style="font-size: 14pt;">5. What advice would you give to someone just entering the O&P profession or starting his or her own business?</span></h2> Get exposure to as much as you can. If you get opportunities for education, take them. Any time someone invites you to see their business, go do it. Develop mentors and peers whose opinions you seek regularly.
