Life-changing event 33 years ago brings about launch of custom prosthetics company in Columbia City
(Talk of the Town photo provided) Kent Turnbow, below, owner of Turnbow Prosthetics LLC, recently opened a custom prosthetics company in Columbia City, specializing in upper and lower limbs to aid in mobility for amputees.
By Mary Popovich
A certified prosthetist with more than 20 years of experience in helping area amputees has opened a practice in Columbia City. Kent Turnbow, CP, is president and founder of Turnbow Prosthetics, LLC. The new business is located at 561 West Connexion Way, Suite 2, on the north side of U.S 30 just west of Columbia City.
Turnbow’s business specializes in prosthetics for upper and lower limbs, helping people become mobile again after they have lost a limb.
“At Turnbow Prosthetics our philosophy is based upon our mission to help amputees move forward in the process of ‘Reclaiming Their Lives’ by restoring mobility and function,” Turnbow said. “Our goal is to serve amputees in a comfortable environment and in a timely fashion. We focus on personal attention, and attention to detail, in order to achieve a fit that is right for each patient.”
Turnbow Prosthetics works with individuals of all ages and activity levels with lower and upper limb amputations, including: elderly individuals with peripheral vascular disease; cancer and trauma victims; and infants and children with congenital abnormalities involving missing or malformed limbs. After patients are referred to Turnbow, he evaluates and measures them, then designs a prosthesis that fits their lifestyle and activity level. Based on a cast made for each individual patient, he begins by developing, testing and modifying clear plastic socket models until he gets just the right fit. The final socket is then created and combined with additional components for a customized prosthesis designed for the individual patient’s activity level and lifestyle.
After graduating from Homestead High School in Fort Wayne in 1981, he studied chemistry and biology at Hanover College, and continued with his prosthetics training at the University of California in Los Angeles (UCLA). Upon graduation, he then completed his internship at the Institute for the Advancement of Prosthetics in Lansing, Michigan, to become a Certified Prosthetist (CP).
Turnbow started his career in North Carolina, and then moved back to Fort Wayne in 1989, where he worked for and eventually served as manager of an artificial limb company for several years before starting and operating another prosthetics company in Fort Wayne for six years. He left there in 2008 to join another facility until recently opening his new business in 2011.
Turnbow consulted with Alan Tio from the Whitley County Economic Development Corporation (EDC) and Scot Goskowicz from the Northeast Indiana Small Business Development Center (SBDC) in preparation for starting his new business.
“The SBDC has been very helpful and I highly recommend that people see them,” he said.
Turnbow also attended a FastTrac course for entrepreneurs last year at the Whitley County EDC that he found to be “invaluable and one of the best courses to lay the foundation for” his new business.
“The course helped start my business in a very positive way and provided a great network of support,” he said. Turnbow continues to obtain business coaching and ongoing support from both the SBDC and the EDC.
Turnbow Prosthetics is accepting new patients, with appointments available by calling 244-0099. The company is a Medicare provider that works with insurance companies to ensure the best option for patients served.
By Mary Popovich
A certified prosthetist with more than 20 years of experience in helping area amputees has opened a practice in Columbia City. Kent Turnbow, CP, is president and founder of Turnbow Prosthetics, LLC. The new business is located at 561 West Connexion Way, Suite 2, on the north side of U.S 30 just west of Columbia City.
Turnbow’s business specializes in prosthetics for upper and lower limbs, helping people become mobile again after they have lost a limb.
“At Turnbow Prosthetics our philosophy is based upon our mission to help amputees move forward in the process of ‘Reclaiming Their Lives’ by restoring mobility and function,” Turnbow said. “Our goal is to serve amputees in a comfortable environment and in a timely fashion. We focus on personal attention, and attention to detail, in order to achieve a fit that is right for each patient.”
Turnbow Prosthetics works with individuals of all ages and activity levels with lower and upper limb amputations, including: elderly individuals with peripheral vascular disease; cancer and trauma victims; and infants and children with congenital abnormalities involving missing or malformed limbs. After patients are referred to Turnbow, he evaluates and measures them, then designs a prosthesis that fits their lifestyle and activity level. Based on a cast made for each individual patient, he begins by developing, testing and modifying clear plastic socket models until he gets just the right fit. The final socket is then created and combined with additional components for a customized prosthesis designed for the individual patient’s activity level and lifestyle.
As an amputee, Turnbow knows and understands prosthetics
Turnbow’s interest in prosthetics dates back to 1977, when at age 14 his leg was crushed during a car accident, resulting in an amputation below the knee and a prosthesis to help him walk. He regularly worked with doctors and prosthetists during his recovery and rehabilitation from the accident, which led him toward his career path.After graduating from Homestead High School in Fort Wayne in 1981, he studied chemistry and biology at Hanover College, and continued with his prosthetics training at the University of California in Los Angeles (UCLA). Upon graduation, he then completed his internship at the Institute for the Advancement of Prosthetics in Lansing, Michigan, to become a Certified Prosthetist (CP).
Turnbow started his career in North Carolina, and then moved back to Fort Wayne in 1989, where he worked for and eventually served as manager of an artificial limb company for several years before starting and operating another prosthetics company in Fort Wayne for six years. He left there in 2008 to join another facility until recently opening his new business in 2011.
Turnbow consulted with Alan Tio from the Whitley County Economic Development Corporation (EDC) and Scot Goskowicz from the Northeast Indiana Small Business Development Center (SBDC) in preparation for starting his new business.
“The SBDC has been very helpful and I highly recommend that people see them,” he said.
Turnbow also attended a FastTrac course for entrepreneurs last year at the Whitley County EDC that he found to be “invaluable and one of the best courses to lay the foundation for” his new business.
“The course helped start my business in a very positive way and provided a great network of support,” he said. Turnbow continues to obtain business coaching and ongoing support from both the SBDC and the EDC.
Turnbow Prosthetics is accepting new patients, with appointments available by calling 244-0099. The company is a Medicare provider that works with insurance companies to ensure the best option for patients served.