Valley Institute of Prosthetics & Orthotics, Inc.
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hen brothers Barry and Jeff Townsend decided to create their own prosthetic and orthotic practice 32 years ago, their aim was to bring the best in the industry to local patients. Little did they know that, not only would their business go from a 1,800 square-foot facility to one that was 7,600 squarefeet, but it would also be the largest and most advanced provider for prosthetics and orthotics within the entire southern San Joaquin Valley. What is now a local legacy, Valley Institute of Prosthetics and Orthotics, Inc. (VIPO)
at the forefront, and, fortunately, there was family and other professionals to take the helm. Barry’s son, Trevor, grew as the company did, working summers during high school and college and learning the ins and outs of the business. He and James Bernardino—a practitioner who has been with the company since the early ‘90s— both currently serve as owning partners and Certified Prosthetists Orthotists of the company. Though the owners may have changed, the
Trevor Townsen
d and James Be
At VIPO, you can be sure that you will receive the best possible service so that you can live the most comfortable and productive life possible. is going stronger than ever. The brothers brought innovation to their field. Jeff designed what came to be known as the Townsend Knee Brace and began a separate company by the name of Townsend Design. While this was a great accomplishment, it meant that he was unable to continue his work with VIPO. He wasn’t the only inventive one in the duo, though. After years of running the company, Barry invented a prosthetic foot. When he completed that task, he, too, had to leave the company and went on to create BioQuest Prosthetics. VIPO needed new people
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Barry Townsend fitting a KAFO level of quality, integrity, and customer service has not. “We work very closely with the doctors and the patients they refer to us,” Bernardino said. “We make sure that the entire healthcare team is trying to make the right choices with the patient for the most optimal outcome.” This not
only means that the patient is certain to get the best possible device to fit their individual needs, but also that VIPO carries the most current technological developments available on the market to better serve their clientele. “We fight for our patients, and will step up to any chal-
1524 21st Street, Suite B, Bakersfield, CA www.vipoinc.com
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661-322-1005
rnardino
lenge to advocate for their well-being. We also have the latest in technology available, and are the only local company that offers cranial remolding helmets,” Trevor stated, revealing that his father developed a brace that was the precursor to the helmet to help treat Trevor’s condition as a child: congenital muscular torticollis. VIPO also serves as a teaching facility where people in the industry complete their residencies. Over the years, many things have changed. VIPO went from offering products made of leather, wood, and metal to using computer technology for fittings, fabrication, and other necessary components. The full staff of professionals—many of which are American Board Certified practitioners—are proud to be part of a tradition that has revolutionized the industry, and it shows.
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YEARS & GROWING
Established 1981