Every time I talk to a local business I’m touched by their community spirit, and they all make me feel proud to live here.
Case in point, I talked with Jeff Zeller, owner of Spectrum Prosthetics and Orthotics, and he told me about his business and how he’s helping people in the community regain mobility. “Our presence in the community has meant an elevated level of care,” he explains. “When I started this business I was looking for a way to give back and serve local people, and that’s what we’ve done.”
What is Spectrum orthotics and prosthetics?
This company helps people by providing care to the general population, as well as amputees and others with mobility and pain related issues. This is accomplished through the use of custom prosthetics, orthotics, diabetic footwear and post-mastectomy care.
The company has a staff of 12 people, including orthotists, pedorthotists, prosthetists, technicians, and administrative staff. They also have an in-house lab where they fabricate most of their devices, and adjust them to custom-fit each person.
More than anything, Spectrum has focused on quality service and outcomes for patients. “Our purpose is to put the patient first, and to be a resource to the caregiver. I believe that’s why we’ve had good, solid growth and become so useful to the rest of the local medical community,” says Jeff.
“We try to be visible,” he continues. “Whenever there are events we try to have a booth where we explain what it is we do. It’s kind of an obscure part of the medical community – a lot of people don’t know what we’re about or the services we provide. Even the doctors don’t always think of us right out of the gate. Why have a prescription for pain pills if you might get along better with a back brace? That is why we enjoy educating people.”
Since 2005, Spectrum has helped people overcome extremely difficult problems. One patient, Ron McElheny, described how Jeff helped him this way: “I was in a coma for a couple of days – a medical coma. When I woke up, Jeff from Spectrum was there, and said that he needed to make a cast of my leg for a protective shell. I was looking at him, at this two-legged man, and I said, ‘You don’t know what I’m going through.’
“He smiled and stepped back and lifted up his pant leg and showed me that he, too, was an amputee. That was a connection I made with Jeff that day, and he’s been a mentor to me ever since.”
Spectrum in Redding, CA
Jeff Zeller came to Redding from Ventura County in 1975. At 17, he lost a leg when he was struck by a drunk driver. “After high school I wanted to move back to Ventura County,” Jeff recalls, “and I did. Then I thought to myself, Why did I ever leave Redding? I enjoy Redding. Redding is an awesome place. The area is beautiful. Whenever my wife and I go on a vacation to somewhere else, we always say to each other, ‘Why did we leave? It’s nicer here,’ when we get back.”
Because of his love for the area, and his interest in giving back to local people after his own experiences, Jeff partnered with the founder of the first Spectrum in Medford OR to start the first California location, right here in Redding.
After 12 years running his own business in the area, Jeff is confident that his organization will continue to be a positive influence on people’s lives, and hopes that the area will continue to attract more businesses.
“I think Redding has a lot to offer to a new business,” he remarks. “It’s beautiful, of course, so it’s easy to attract new employees. It’s a great place to raise a family. There’s a strong medical community. The cost of living is lower than anywhere else in California. And there’s a lot of infrastructure and support for business. A few years ago I went to a Shasta EDC event and met Jason Arnold from Tri-Counties Bank and used that connection to purchase the building we’re currently in!”
Spectrum Prosthetics and Orthotics is owned by Jeff Zeller, and located at 1844 South Street in Redding California. You can find more information about them at their website: http://www.spectrumoandp.com/redding/
February 2017
