We’ve come such a long way both as an organization and a profession. We’ve seen a great deal and learned even more, especially from those who have experienced it with us. We recently spent some time talking with three such individuals who helped lead the way for later generations in addition to contributing to the progress and success of ABC. While it is important to look ahead as technology and education advance, there is something to be said about learning from those who came before us.

William (Bill) D. Beiswenger, CPO(E), FAAOP
Colorado Springs

A graduate of the University of Pittsburgh, Bill received his certificate in orthotics from New York University in 1979 and his certificate in prosthetics from Northwestern University in 1981. He was certified by ABC in orthotics in 1980 and in prosthetics in 1983.

After serving four years in the Navy as an aviation mechanic, Bill remembers being introduced to prosthetics by a friend’s father, Manuel De La Torre, CO, who owned an orthotics company in Bill’s hometown of Pittsburgh. It only took one visit, and he was hooked.

Bill has enjoyed many successes over the years including co-founding and owning Abilities Unlimited, now operating under the name Rise Orthotics + Prosthetics. He also had the opportunity to work on the prosthetics team for both the 1988 Paralympics in Seoul Korea and 1996 Paralympics in Atlanta. But no successes have been quite as rewarding as those he’s experienced volunteering within the profession.

He is a Fellow of the American Academy of Orthotists and Prosthetists (AAOP), past commissioner of the National Commission on Orthotic and Prosthetic Education (NCOPE) and served as a member and chair of numerous ABC committees as well as ABC Board President in 1999.

Bill has been volunteering at the ABC CPM exams for many years, having served as an examiner, site coordinator, auditor and candidate liaison. In fact, Bill will soon be celebrating his 40th year as an examiner and 24th year as a candidate liaison for ABC! Bill’s volunteer service has been profound. So much so, that ABC created a volunteer award in his name – the William D. Beiswenger Volunteer Award.

“The folks in O&P are just marvelous people,” says Bill. “They love to share their knowledge and wisdom, and I learned so much from so many different people all over the country, sharing my time and helping ABC. It feels good to help an organization that has helped me be very successful. It’s been good for me, and it’s been good for my family."

Jon P. Leimkuehler, CPO(E)
Pittsburgh

Jon comes from a family strongly rooted in O&P. His father, Paul Leimkuehler, was a veteran amputee, famed prosthetics pioneer and avid volunteer. Jon grew up in the profession along with two brothers and a sister who also pursued careers in O&P. He received his prosthetics training from Northwestern University in 1968 and a certificate in orthotics from New York University in 1973. He earned his ABC prosthetic certification in 1972 and orthotic certification in 1975.

Jon worked at Leimkeuhler Inc. in Cleveland from 1972- 1988 and was owner of Union Orthotics and Prosthetics, Co. until his retirement in 2013 – over 40 years providing care. The practice, which merged with De La Torre Orthotics and Prosthetics, is now operated by his three children, Ann Moss, Peter Leimkuehler, CPO and Laura Mullin, CPO and serves 19 locations throughout Pittsburgh and Western Pennsylvania.

Throughout his time in the profession, Jon spread his volunteer service far and wide, serving the Academy, AOPA and ABC. He was on the Academy’s board of directors for 10 years and helped establish the Ohio Academy Chapter. He was a member and chairman of AOPA’s business procedures committee and served as their board president in 2004. For ABC, Jon served many years as an examiner, chairman of ABC’s Facility Accreditation committee, member of the board of directors and board president in 1987. A position he says “was quite a thrill for me knowing that my father had once had the same position…"

As someone who shares the same birth year as ABC (1948), Jon has seen how dedication to service can truly make an impact. “…giving back to your profession by volunteering in whatever aspect that may be…I think it will reward you in more ways than you can imagine.” says Jon. “It’s like everything, you know. Whatever you contribute in, is what you get back.

Alan R. Finnieston, CPO  
Miami

At 84, Alan is still seeing patients at Arthur Finnieston Prosthetics + Orthotics in Miami which he owns and operates with his son, Adam. Alan received his Prosthetic & Orthotic education from Northwestern University, New York University and Marquette University. He became ABC certified in prosthetics in 1963 and orthotics in 1968. He began his career in O&P working for his father, Arthur, in 1960. Alan recalls those times. “I used to cut all the aluminum parts for short leg and long leg braces and so forth out of aluminum. And my dad was pretty progressive in those days because most braces were hand forged steel in the old German manner – polished, cut, chrome plated and molded with leather. There were just hundreds and hundreds of cases of post-polio patients that needed bracing. So, my father came up with this idea of using a lightweight material called aluminum that nobody was using. He built a reputation for doing that.”

The innovative mind-set Alan learned from his father continued throughout his career. In the early 1970s, Alan developed and patented a series of braces made of molded plastics to better meet the needs of his orthotic patients. These braces led to the formation of Maramed Orthopedic Systems which now produces the braces for distribution worldwide. Alan also developed BioSculptor®, a leading CAD/CAM system for P&O and holds many other patents. He assisted with the development of the Contoured Adducted Trochanteric-Controlled Alignment Method (CAT-CAM) above knee amputee socket. Alan’s innovative work was even featured on the Discovery Channel in the 1990s.

Over the years, Alan has held many different titles, such as Chief Prosthetist for the U.S. Paralympic Ski Team and adjunct professor at the University of Miami Department of Orthopaedics. But no matter the title or task, he has shown unwavering dedication to innovation and quality patient care.

Want to learn more about these amazing practitioners? Be sure to listen to our 75th Anniversary CredCast podcast episode!

Be on the lookout for Leading the Way Part 2 when we highlight some of O&P’s amazing women leaders and trailblazers. You can catch it this December in the Mark of Merit and on CredCast.