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Five Questions for Greg Davidson, CPO Greg Davidson, CPO, has plenty to keep him active
in the beautiful northwestern town of Puyallup, Washington, when he
is not busy working at Preferred O&P Services in Federal Way.
Along with his wife, Cathy, and ten-year-old son, Connor, Davidson
enjoys hiking, skiing, and mountaineering the Cascade Range, but a
recent adventure with a patient introduced Davidson to a whole new
way of getting around. "I had the opportunity to go ski-biking with
one of my patients, J. Weil, who is a very energetic 'seasoned'
amputee," Davidson says. That one trip was all it took, and
Davidson and Weil acquired a number of ski-bikes and spent the last
ski season teaching amputees how to ride them. This season, they
plan to involve servicemen and servicewomen from the Wounded
Warriors program.
1. What has motivated/inspired you in your life
and/or professional pursuits?
It may sound corny, but I find myself getting more excited about
my work every day. What is more thrilling than helping someone walk
for the first time—and then seeing them stroll in a week
later with no crutches and a proud smile? What is better than the
look on person's face when a socket fits comfortably, or the whip
in the knee disappears, or when a woman gets her first shaped leg?
This job can be stressful at times, but it sure is rewarding.
2. How has your career progressed?
Early on I was drawn to prosthetics, though it took over a
decade to attract enough patients to occupy all of my time. The
wonderful aspect of working with amputees is the great friendships
that build through the years. Also, I have found that I am
continually learning and developing new ideas. Not only is
technology rapidly evolving, but many patients have unique
challenges that require creative solutions.
3. What advice would you give to someone just
entering the O&P profession?
Seek out employment that allows you the freedom to do your own
technical work. This goes against an industry trend, but it will
enhance your ability to provide the highest quality care for your
patients. You will better understand what is possible with
materials and have more time to creatively think about how to
optimize the project for the patient. Also, developing quality
finishing techniques will set you apart from your competition.
4. How do you set yourself apart from other
practitioners in your area?
I don't wear a tie or fancy clothes and am usually covered in
dust, but at least my patients see that I enjoy what I do. My style
is to always let the patient know what I am doing and why, and to
allow them as much control in the fitting process as possible. The
more active amputees often like the freedom to try different
systems to figure out what works best for them.
5. How would you describe your approach to patient
care?
Developing a trusting friendship is so important. They need to
feel comfortable enough to express problems and frustrations and
know that I will bend over backwards to get it right. Often
amputees require immediate attention and always should feel like
they are a priority. The real challenge is to provide the quality
of care that will keep patients returning for the rest of their
lives. 
Table Of Contents - December 2007
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