How Did You Get Here? With Jenn Dowell

To see the episode, visit radiidevices.substack.com , or continue below for a transcript. Please can you tell us a bit about your career in O&P? I used to say that I’ve had an unusual journey in O&P, but it’s become far more common, and I think that’s a great thing. When I came out of the University of Washington O&P program, I went directly into patient care and preparing for my board exams—pretty standard experience at the time. My first ten to 12 years were providing fairly traditional patient care ranging from orthotics to prosthetics, acute care, geriatric, pediatric, rehab—just really the full gamut, which was my goal while I was in school and entering the profession. At the time, I wasn’t looking to specialize in any particular area. I was focused on having as full or wide of an experience as possible, so I sought out a patient care practice that could provide that. This ended up with me heading to my home state of California for my first few “formative” years and had an amazing experience at A.D. Craig in Modesto, California, getting the full O&P experience. Eventually, I migrated back up to Washington, back to family. What took you back there? Heading back to Washington brought me closer to family, and it was family where my very first introduction to orthotics and prosthetics occurred. Everyone has their story about how they first learned about O&P, right? Essentially, how did we land here? When I was going through junior high and high school, my dad was asking me, “So what is it? What are you interested in?” I should begin with that my dad was pretty skilled and could design and build things, so I had the opportunity to use power tools from a very young age. I was always the kid at home who helped dad with his projects and chores. So, fixing things, working with tools, working outside, and making stuff started pretty early on for me. He liked to do big projects—the two-story barn he designed and built in the 70s still stands tall today. As almost everyone in this industry says, I liked making things! I was curious and intrigued by the science behind, add in some anatomy and kinesiology—well, there you have it. That’s a recurring conversation here from a lot of folks who go into patient care and O&P. My dad, knowing where my interests and where my strengths were, said to me, “You really should look at what your Uncle Steve does, ’cause I think that might be an interesting fit.” Long story short, I spent some time with my uncle, shadowed some clinicians and the rest is history. Uncle Steve taught at the University of Washington O&P program in their early days and then went on to own his own clinical practice in the Puget Sound area. After returning to Washington state, I continued to provide traditional patient care until I had a patient come to me for shoe inserts. She happened to be one of the owners of a prosthetic manufacturing company located about 15 miles away from me. They designed and manufactured the first energy-storing foot, the Seattle Lightfoot. She said, “We have a clinician on staff, but we could really use one more. Would you ever be interested in exploring this part of the profession?” I told her, “I didn’t know that was an option!” So, I went, and I did a few tours, and it took me a long time to make the decision. Over that time, more people that I knew transitioned over to that company, so the pull continued to get stronger, until eventually I made the leap. Did it feel like a departure to move away from patient care? It wasn’t that I was dissatisfied with patient care; I enjoyed patient care, but I was learning there were other opportunities, and I was excited to go and explore what the next adventure could be. That was my first step into the manufacturing and development world. Initially, they had me specialize in microprocessor knees and then CAD/CAM. This is how and when I crossed over from traditional patient care into development and clinical education. It’s also when I really started to learn about what a digital solution was, though that wasn’t what it was called then. I began helping with the development, documentation, clinical education, and support of the ShapeMaker system, as well as their traditional products. That experience is really what put me on a pathway to where I am today. Since then, you’ve had some amazing roles working in software development and education. What has stayed with you from those roles? I really started to make the connection that if you’re going to design a digital solution for O&P, clinical and technical collaboration is a critical component to a functional outcome. Best results occur when the solution is tested in a clinical environment, and where you have that constant feedback loop and communication with everyday users of the tool. Through this I discovered that I wanted to specialize in digital tools for patient care. I realized this is where I can make the biggest difference, as many of the companies I’ve worked with (Mind/Seattle Limb Systems, Tracer Corporation, WillowWood ® , Orthomerica Products ® , and Vorum Research) have introduced profound changes and innovations in the O&P profession. There was a time when my journey kept me close to patient care and other times that it took me further away from this important aspect. It varied depending on what the project was and who I was working with. There were times where I could be very hands-on in patient care, which was essential and something I really needed. However, other projects took me further away but provided some critically relevant experiences. But I realized that if you're really going to make an impact with a digital solution, it’s best not to stray too far away from where the tool is going to be used. It’s been an exciting, rewarding, and growth-minded learning experience. Every step of the way has been an exponential learning process. It sounds like it really has been a unique journey! My journey’s been a little unique, but while it may not feel as unique to me anymore, I can appreciate that others still may find it relatively novel. These opportunities and pathways weren’t on the landscape when I entered the field. I’m encouraged to see the options of how to innovate, progress, and bring our profession to another level of ingenuity. I think I was super fortunate that that the right person walked into my office at the right time and was my patient. The ability to connect and work with pivotal people at pivotal times in my career was critical to putting me on the pathways I’ve taken and helped bring me to where I am today. That first step from patient care to the manufacturing world, just 15 minutes from where I live out on this little remote peninsula: What are the odds? Upon reflection, that really is what set everything else in motion and determined what the next step of this journey could be. What else can I learn? Lots! More than 30 years later, here I am—still learning and growing every day. Thanks to Jennifer for her time! We hope that through following Clinicians Insights, you feel part of an ongoing conversation that furthers understanding of digital technology and research, supporting O&P practitioners who provide our patients with the best comfort, fit and socket fitting experience. If you’ve got thoughts, opinions, or insight to share we’d like to hear from you; please feel welcome to get in touch at jenny@radiidevices.com. We’re excited to kick off the next episode of the series next month. Watch this space!

How Did You Get Here? With Jenn Dowell

In Memoriam: Morris Glenn Gallo, CPO

Medical Robotics Company, O&P Tech Accelerator Partner

Medical Robotics Company, O&P Tech Accelerator Partner

O&P JOBS

Certified Prosthetist / Prosthetist-Orthotist (CP/CPO) Gates Prosthetics + Mobility Clinic — Mountain Home, AR

Clinic Manager – Certified Prosthetist Orthotist (CPO) – Rogers, AR

CPO

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How Did You Get Here? With Jenn Dowell

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Related posts:

In Memoriam: Morris Glenn Gallo, CPO

Medical Robotics Company, O&P Tech Accelerator Partner

Medical Robotics Company, O&P Tech Accelerator Partner

O&P JOBS

Certified Prosthetist / Prosthetist-Orthotist (CP/CPO) Gates Prosthetics + Mobility Clinic — Mountain Home, AR

Clinic Manager – Certified Prosthetist Orthotist (CPO) – Rogers, AR

CPO

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