Employee Spotlight: Scott Porter

Technician, Scott Porter, has grown up working construction – it was what he knew and what he excelled at. Then, in 1996, Scott lost the lower part of his right leg in a car accident.  He tried to go back into construction, but the physical demands of the job were just too high.  That was when Scott became interested in the orthotic & prosthetic industry and asked his prosthetist if he knew of anyone who was hiring.

Scott was soon hired by Bracemasters Orthotic & Prosthetic Fabrication in Wisconsin.  Scott quickly found that construction was not the only thing he excelled at and was promoted to supervisor after just one year.  He continued to work at Bracemasters for another five years but still found something was missing. He decided he would like to give fewer orders and work with his own two hands.

Scott tried a few jobs; even attempted to go back into construction.  Fortunately, an old boss told Scott about Great Steps Orthotics & Prosthetics.  Scott became interested and was soon hired.

As a technician, Scott manages various jobs at Great Steps. He also coordinates with other technicians to assist clients that come in for repairs.  Scott’s favorite part of working at Great Steps is working directly with our practitioners.  Bracemasters was a central fabrication facility that made orthotics & prosthetics for multiple O&P facilities.  The ability for Scott to work directly with the practitioners not only allows him to learn more about what works for patients and what doesn’t but it also allows him to get his work done more efficiently by having the practitioners at hand when questions arise.

Scott’s favorite part of working in the field of orthotics & prosthetics is being able to help people.  Having firsthand experience with disabilities, Scott knows how challenging they can be, but also how to help others overcome them.  So, next time you visit Great Steps, be sure to say hello to Scott!

Employee Spotlight: Robert Scheibmeir

Dedicated to easing the lives and comfort of his patients, Robert Scheibmeir recently joined the staff at Great Steps as a Certified Pedorthist and Certified Fitter of Orthotics. His work focuses on orthopedic fittings, diabetic shoe fittings, and ensuring results for his patients. “We’re improving people’s lives, and that’s what it’s all about to me,” Robert said.

Born and raised in Kansas, Robert worked as a shoe cobbler in high school and college, eventually establishing his own shoe repair business - one he ran for nearly 15 years. Robert, a self-motivated individual, also put himself through pedorthic school while working as a shoe repairman. With educational and professional opportunities initially taking him to Colorado and New Mexico, Robert recently accepted a position at Great Steps.

Robert believes that the most rewarding aspect of his career is being able to interact with his patients and to see his the benefits of his work firsthand. “I love to help people, and I love to see the results of my work,” he says. “When you have someone come to you that is in pain or cannot walk well and you can get them to where . . . they can live a normal life that is rewarding.”

With a versatile background, he has worked with big companies and small businesses as well as retail businesses and medical settings. Robert states that he wanted to get away from big companies and to return to the community and closer relationships of small business roots.

When asked about Great Steps, Scheibmeir says, “In working for a big company, you had a lot of other pressures . . . which is why I like [Great Steps]. They allow you to [focus on] helping people. They said, ‘our job is to keep us in business, your job is to take care of the people.’”

He also prides himself and the focus of his work on making a commitment to each patient’s health and comfort. “[At Great Steps], we put [each device] on you. We are observing gait. We look for input. We tweak and modify [so that the device goes] from 90% to 95% effective, and that little bit of difference can make a huge amount of difference to the individual.”

In his free time, Robert enjoys his time spent in the great outdoors and is an avid hunter and fisherman. He enjoys camping, hiking, and hopes to make it to the Boundary Waters soon!