Donald D. Virostek, CPO, assumed the role of President of the ABC Board of Directors on December 1.
As part of ABC’s annual leadership transition, Virostek takes over the presidency from John M. Kenney, CPO, FAAOP of Lexington, Ky. Kenney will continue to serve ABC as Immediate Past President of the board.
“Don truly has the leadership and passion to maintain ABC’s gold standard and its efforts to protect the patient,” said Kenney. “I have worked with Don on different committees for over 15 years. It is quite evident that he cares a great deal about the future of this profession and will make a strong president for our organization.”
Virostek began volunteering with ABC as a prosthetic examiner and has been instrumental in writing and developing all aspects of the practitioner credentialing exams over the past 12 years. He joined the ABC Board of Directors in 2003. Since then, Virostek has played a role in creating many of ABC’s current policies and brings with him nearly 22 years of experience working in the orthotic and prosthetic profession. “Don has wholeheartedly served ABC in many aspects of volunteer leadership. I look forward to working with him as he serves as President of the board and helps us move the board’s agenda forward. ” said Catherine Carter, ABC’s Executive Director.
Virostek first decided that he wanted to work in the O&P profession after a long struggle with Fibrous Dysplasia, a childhood bone disease, which resulted in the amputation of his left leg below the knee at age 16. “Spending as much time as I did in the hospital and around doctors always made me want to do something in the medical field - making sure I could help people and make a difference in their lives,” said Virostek. “Working in a pediatric institution, I’ve found that nothing gives you more joy or satisfaction than seeing a bright smile on a child’s face and knowing that a device I provided will make an improvement in their life.”
Virostek received his bachelors from the University of Pittsburgh and attended the University of Texas Southwestern for his orthotic and prosthetic training. He earned his Certified Prosthetist/Orthotist credential from ABC in 1993.
Virostek has worked for Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children for 16 years and has served as the hospital’s Director of Orthotics for the past five years. He and his wife Donna, a pre-school teacher, live in Dallas, Tex. with their three teenage sons, Ryan, 19, a sophomore at Texas A&M, Jonathan, 17, and Bryce, 13.
Virostek expressed his excitement at becoming the next President of the ABC Board and his pride for the duties he would soon undertake, stating, “I am greatly looking forward to working with such a dedicated and knowledgeable board and staff. The level of commitment from all of these individuals is truly inspiring and is what has allowed ABC to grow as an organization while staying true to the overall mission.”