Sabolich Prosthetics and Research: A Continuing Journey on the Road Less Traveled.

Abstract

The Sabolich family had made a unique contribution to both the clinical practice of Prosthetics and Orthotics as well as the business of prosthetics and orthotics. In preparing for this Special Edition, as Co-Editor-in-Chief, I felt it important to include the story of the Sabolich vision for prosthetic clinical practice and their experiences in achieving that vision. Their story is an important part of the history of prosthetic clinical practice in the United States. Their rethinking of what a clinical practice could look like and function as was far-sighted. Achieving it required both risk taking, as well as a new business model. The reaction from other Prosthetic and Orthotic practitioners was strong. Some saw the new model as visionary while others found it provocative. The model was based on a concierge style practice, which provided a premium service to a patient from first appointment to providing and maintaining of their device. They then went further than that by incorporating in-house research into their facility to develop new and innovative prosthetic approaches that would make them leaders in the field of socket design and fit. Their vision was to be a Center of Excellence for Prosthetics and Orthotics Practices, a vison that many people within the sector would likely agree was achieved. I invited current CEO of Scott Sabolich Prosthetics and Research to reflect back on the history of his family's business and how multiple generations of his family were able to see gaps and create opportunities where others could not see beyond the status quo and even fought hard to maintain the status quo. The evolution of this company provides insight into the successful development of novel business practices and economics in Prosthetics and Orthotics, while staying true to core service principles. The result was a business model that, in hind sight, had future-proofed the company in the face of the global economic challenges that impacted the sector in 2008-9 and beyond. It is also an indicator of what opportunities there are, at the business, clinical and technical levels, for those who take the risk of breaking from the status quo. Because of time and capacity constraints on the part of Mr. Scott Sabolich, it was agreed that his professional opinions and insights would be done in an interview format.