Gary Horton's Goal: Providing a Lifetime of Support for Patients

Throughout the field of orthotics and prosthetics, the family-run small business is not unusual. In any profession, running a small business generally requires great sacrifices. O&P is not unique in that respect. What may be unique is the passion and commitment the practitioners have for their chosen profession. It is so pervasive that it often is passed down to successive generations, and thus the family practice is born. Yet it is also quite likely that it wasnt necessarily a plan. Gary Horton, CO, FAAOP, lectures on the SCOKJ™ at the Arkansas State Rehab annual conference. This is basically the story of Gary Horton, CO, FAAOP, and his children, all of whom are involved in making Horton's Orthotic Lab Inc., Little Rock, Arkansas (with four satellite facilities in Arkansas and one in Mississippi), a flourishing family-owned company. The goal is to "provide a lifetime of support for their patients." What does that entail? Putting family first can be difficult when you are running your own business. Working 80 hours a week is not uncommon. There are patients to see, orthoses to fabricate, business and marketing decisions to make, reimbursements to chase after. Oh yes, and then there's the office to clean, the lawn to mow, repairs to be made, and on the list goes. You don't hang out your sign, watch the cash start flowing in the door, and go fishing every afternoon. Hello, reality check! You do it all yourself and then some. Your family helps you out, and along the way they may acquire the same love and enthusiasm for the work and the people served. Such has been the case for Gary Horton. Following Dad's Footsteps Gary's children Mike Horton, CPO; Tonya Horton; and Chris Horton Horton has had the pleasure of working in orthotics for nearly 30 years, and he still savors each day. The icing on the cake is that now he is enjoying it in the company of the people he loves most - his three children. People not in the field of O&P have often commented to him with envy, noting how remarkable they think it is that his kids have followed in his footsteps. He hadn't necessarily ever stopped to think of it as anything out of the ordinary; it just seemed to fall into place. His eldest, Michael Horton, CPO, knew from a young age that this was the career path he would pursue. Now he works side by side with his dad. Horton speaks admiringly of his son's choices and the goals he has accomplished. Horton's daughter Tonya found her niche in the family business working summers in the front office. She enjoyed dealing with patients in that arena and went on to pursue a degree in marketing. Tonya now puts her skills to use at the lab on a daily basis, handling the company's marketing needs. Christopher, the youngest of the Horton children, has also worked at the family business as he continues his education. While considering O&P a definite option for his life's work, he is also exploring other opportunities. Career Path What was it that lured Horton to orthotics? His acquaintance with a fellow employee at a clothing store in the 1970s was the beginning. Recommended by that friend for the job of manager at a shoe store that specialized in corrective footwear, he "took the bait." A relationship already existed between the shoe store and a little orthotics company down the road. Horton felt this field was something unique and was intrigued enough to get his feet wet. Not having to pump gas any longer in the hot, humid Arkansas weather was an added bonus. Horton received his education at Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois. However, his interests in pursuing a degree in law or law enforcement continued to entice him. To fulfill that desire, he spent 18 years as a reserve police officer for the Little Rock Police Department, rising to the rank of director of the Little Rock Reserve Police. Older and wiser, he has now retired from that pursuit and focuses entirely on the world of orthotics. His involvement includes being a Fellow of the American Academy of Orthotists & Prosthetists, a member of the International Society for Prosthetics & Orthotics (ISPO), and for the past several years he has served as the president of the Arkansas Orthotic & Prosthetic Association. Along the way he met people - good physicians and orthopedists - who challenged him and kept him interested and inspired. He credits Ray Morrissy, MD, of Atlanta Scottish Rite Childrens Hospital, Atlanta, Georgia, with being someone who encouraged him to come up with innovative ways to take care of pediatric patients. Horton had the pleasure of collaborating with Morrissy when he was the first full-time staff orthopedist at Arkansas Childrens Hospital. Describing Morrissy as a great guy to work with, Horton says, "If you didn't know or weren't sure how to solve the problem at hand, he didn't chastise or discourage you, but always gave good, solid encouragement to learn and grow. Through him I learned a lot about pathologies and many other things - teamwork was the focus." When it would have been simpler to say, "Well, I don't know, and there's nothing available," Morrissy was someone who made Horton understand you have to set the bar up to be able to solve problems." Horton admits, "A lot of orthotics is routine, but knowing that on a daily basis there will be something new to figure out and attempt is what has interested me in this field." Orthotics offers a diversity that continues to enthrall him. There is the opportunity to work with physicians, therapists, technicians, and others at that level of professionalism and knowledge; then you get to go to the shop and work with metals, leather, and plastics - a great combination, if you ask Horton. Developing the SCOKJ Gary Horton, CO, FAAOP, fits patient with the Smart Knee™ Being involved in developing a new product was enlightening to Horton. The SCOKJ (Stance Control Orthotic Knee Joint) took over seven years of labor and devotion. Fortunately, he was able to get assistance from the University of Central Arkansas and its motion analysis laboratory along the way. It truly took a team of specialists to work alongside Horton to achieve the finished product. It can be very discouraging for the "little guy" to struggle through the financial obstacles of developing a new product. The harder it is for the average orthotist to receive payback on his investment, the slower new inventions will be incoming. However, due to the overwhelming success of the SCOKJ, a prototype for children is being fine-tuned. It's been a challenge to incorporate the three-way switch and all the capabilities of the adult version into a smaller package. Horton has the wherewithal to endure the setbacks and disappointments that typically occur during the process of creating something new. Helping him to keep going are the people he aligns with and the realization that receiving monetary rewards could be years down the line. Having that mindset has enabled him to be successful in all that he does, providing a sterling example for others to follow. A highlight of his career was being recognized by the American Academy of Orthotists and Prosthetists with the Clinical Creativity award in 2003 for his work on the SCOKJ. Reimbursement issues are on Horton's mind, just like anyone else in O&P. His frustration is a common denominator. Despite the years of efforts made by the American Orthotic & Prosthetic Association (AOPA) and others, "The people that hold the purse strings such as Medicare, Medicaid, and various insurance carriers still don't understand who we are, what we do, how we do it, and how our cost structure is set up", says Horton. It's baffling to Horton, and he's not exactly sure what it will take to make them more aware, but knows that something has to change for the field in order for it to remain viable. Business Startup Success Tips His sincere advice to anyone setting up his or her own facility is to be willing to work hard and put in whatever hours are needed. Be patient toward the payoff of the investment monetarily. The way billing is handled in O&P and how reimbursement comes in can cause huge delays in cash flow, and that can be detrimental if you aren't prepared. Horton will tell you that the hard work and sacrifice are well worth it. Relaxation and Rewards Gary Horton (right) and his brother Dan Horton, head out for a day of fishing on Lake Ouachita. Relaxation does have a place in Horton's busy life. Fishing is a hobby he truly loves. Being on his boat taking advantage of the many beautiful lakes Arkansas offers is a favorite pastime. Horton has brilliantly combined his love for those he serves with his favorite hobby. Hortons sponsors "Fishin' at the Harbor" annually at the Mountain Harbor Resort for kids with disabilities and their families. The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission stocks the pond with catfish and has donated rods and reels; the local Subway donates lunch; various other companies help with soft drinks, bait, and fishing lines. The result is a fabulous day for kids that might never have such an opportunity otherwise. This April will mark the seventh year for "Fishin' at the Harbor". His sense of satisfaction from this event is evident as he describes the look of pleasure on the faces of the children that attend. Horton looks forward to each day spent in his chosen field with a great sense of enthusiasm for what can yet be accomplished. His level of professionalism and the care he gives his patients is impressive. Striving daily to offer a lifetime of support to his patients and his family is something Horton can reflect on with pride and satisfaction.

Gary Horton’s Goal: Providing a Lifetime of Support for Patients

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Gary Horton’s Goal: Providing a Lifetime of Support for Patients

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