Shown from left are Bob Hastings, research director, DePuy Synthes; Seth Nash, director product management, hips, Biomet; KLA Cadets Brant Burns, Biomet, and Kelsi Griffith, Kosciusko County Community Foundation; Brad Bishop, executive director, OrthoWorx; and Allyn Decker, KLA moderator. (Photo provided)

Kosciusko Leadership Academy met at the Ronald and Barbara Manahan Orthopaedic Capital Center to learn about the orthopedic industry. Guest speakers were Bob Hastings, research director, DePuy Synthes; Seth Nash, director of product management, hips, Biomet; and Brad Bishop, executive director, OrthoWorx.

Nash began the session with a global perspective and introspective look at the U.S. market. The current world population density and income growth shows there are areas outside of the United States rapidly growing in regards to the population’s ability to pay for medical costs.

“Globally, the orthopedic market is still a growth industry. Maybe the new reality is 1-5 percent growth a year, overall, where double digit growth was the norm,” stated Nash. Medical device excise tax is limiting the ability for companies to invest. Medical devices are not the driving increases in health care costs as medical devices have increased only slightly.

Hastings provided a history of the orthopedic industry in Kosciusko County. Warsaw is the orthopedic capital of the world due to the largest concentration of orthopedic headquarters, manufacturers and providers. In 1895, Revra DePuy operated DePuy Manufacturing out of Hotel Hayes. The company manufactured paper splints.

From this humble beginning, many companies have been created through the years by former employees of other orthopedic companies. Today, “DePuy continues to merge; be bought and purchase other companies. Other orthopedic companies continue to merge, acquire and be purchased,” stated Hastings.

Bishop provided information about OrthoWorx which was formed to promote, protect and advance the orthopedic industry. Zimmer remains the largest employer in town and is the industry leader in knee replacements. Zimmer is headquartered in Warsaw.

“The orthopedic sector employs more than 6,800 people,” shared Bishop. There is indirect employment of an additional 6,200. Those fortunate enough to be employed in this industry make, on average, $10,000.00 more than most workers with the skills required in this industry. OrthoWorx was created in 2009 as a forum for companies and the community to work together. OrthoWorx concentrates on branding and awareness, education and schools, and skills for the orthopaedic industry.

STEM education is only one of the many programs started by OrthoWorx.