Nick Deeter, co-founder and CEO of WishBone Medical, talks to WCA students and faculty about WishBone’s mission to help children with orthopedic issues. Photo provided.

News Release

LARWILL  – WishBone Medical, Inc., Red Star Contract Manufacturing (RSCM) and the Whitko Career Academy recently announced a new partnership that will bring additional opportunities for hands-on experience to students as part of WCA’s Engineering curriculum.

At right, Tonya Weeks, director of operations, RSCM, presents the purchase order to Joe Luce, director, WCA.

Students will be manufacturing plate templates for WishBone’s EpiFIXtm Growth Control Plating System. These components will help surgeons to determine the appropriate plate size for their pediatric patients prior to surgery. This arrangement marks the start of a series of future collaborations between Red Star and the Academy.

In line with WCA’s mission to provide project-based learning applicable to real-world experiences, the templates project enables students to learn professional skills related to precision machining, fabrication, engineering and business. Regardless of whether students may or may not choose to attend college, they will get a head start to obtaining high-paying, skilled positions within the manufacturing industry. This is a viable option for local graduates, who are in close proximity to a number of major orthopedic device companies based in Warsaw – just 15 miles from Larwill.

This past Friday, WishBone, Red Star and WCA teams gathered to commemorate the submission of the first official purchase order, which was the Academy’s first from a medical device manufacturer.  

“This type of collaboration with local business partners will allow the students of the Whitko Career Academy opportunities for real-world experiences that they may not have exposure to at most other educational facilities.  Receiving the PO will not only educate the WCA engineering and precision machine students on processes necessary to fulfill such an order—it will also allow the business and marketing students real-world training in processing a PO and putting to work the skills they are learning. The ability to educate so many students at zero financial risk to the school corporation is something we have dreamed about early on, as we planned and envisioned what the WCA experience would look like,” said Joe Luce, Director of Whitko Career Academy.

Pictured is a Boss HP3655 Laser Cutter.

During the event, WishBone’s EVP of Professional Education, Bob von Seggern, was able to teach the students how the EpiFIX Growth Control Plating System benefits children, while Kate Enright, Director of Quality, RSCM, taught the importance of producing and documenting the quality process when producing these medical device products.

WishBone Medical’s EpiFIX System is a plating solution designed to gradually correct angular deformities in upper and lower extremities in children, used as a less invasive alternative to major surgical interventions such as osteotomies. 

Devices will be processed at the Career Academy and then finished at Red Star Contract Manufacturing. The following individuals were instrumental to bringing this partnership to fruition: Scott Werstler, Founder and former [retired] President of RSCM and active WCA volunteer; Joe Luce, Director of WCA; and Dr. Brandon Penrod, WCA Superintendent; Tonya Weeks, Director of Operations of RSCM.

“I am very excited to present the first of hopefully many purchase orders,” added Tonya Weeks, Director of Operations, RSCM.  “We are excited for these students who have gained the right skillset from WCA to stay in Whitley County and help our business (and others alike) continue to grow.”

About Whitko

The Whitko Career Academy strives to create opportunities for project-based learning applicable to real-world professional skills through various challenging and inclusive hands-on training, while using skill-based standards. In partnership with families, community leaders, and local businesses, Whitko Career Academy will provide students with meaningful opportunities in classrooms and off-site experiences that help them develop the knowledge, critical thinking skills, and character to succeed in a technologically advanced world.

About Red Star Contract Manufacturing

Red Star Contract Manufacturing is a vertically integrated, lean company that is focused on the medical device industry with expertise in insert injection molding and sterile packaging. Red Star is based in Larwill, IN, with a second facility, Red Star Medical Solutions (RSMS), in Plymouth, IN.

About WishBone Medical

WishBone Medical is a global pediatric orthopedic company, committed to providing anatomically appropriate innovative implants, instruments and biologics in single-use, sterile packed procedure kits, designed to prevent infection, reduce overall costs for customers and achieve the best outcomes for children around the world who are still growing. The WishBone Medical Family of Companies offers 42 product systems with operations in Warsaw, IN, Istanbul, and Singapore. For further information, visit www.WishBoneMedical.com or contact Kaitlyn Hughes, Director of Marketing & Communications, at +1-(574)-306-4006.

From right, Tonya Weeks, director of operations, RSCM, presents the purchase order to Dr. Brandon Penrod, Superintendent.

At the table (left to right) is Bob Von Seggern, Tonya Weeks, Nick Deeter, and Kate Enright; Standing in the second row are Owen Hobbs, Mary Wetzel, Joe Luce, Matt Dahms, Sandy Benedict; Back row, is Braiden Wolfe, Scott Werstler, Trey Proper, Toney Owsley, Nathaniel Moore