History

Hello, we are Deane and Jeanine Doty, the founders of Active Life, Inc. We now work for our sons, Spencer and Ryder, who are the owners of Active Life, Inc. In 1997 we left our jobs with Nova Care, Inc. orthotics and prosthetics, now known as Hanger Orthopedic Group, to open a new business devoted to providing quality patient care with friendly staff to insure our customers a positive experience. "Caring, to make a difference, makes all the difference" became our credo and we work hard with our sons to meet the high standards we established for ourselves.

We graduated in 1979 from Loma Linda University, I received a B.S. in Health Science and Jeanine a B.S. in Nursing. I went on to Northwestern University to receive a post graduate education in orthotics and prosthetics while Jeanine worked and taught Nursing. After completing my residencies in orthotics and prosthetics I sat for the board exams and became an American Board Certified Orthotist in 1983 and American Board Certified Prosthetist and Orthotist, C.P.O., in 1985. Jeanine continued working as a Nurse and together we were busy raising our 2 sons in Arcadia, Ca. I had the pleasure of working with John Stonecipher C.P., by the way our wives are sisters, and Tim Bulgarelli at OrthoCare, Inc. in Arcadia, Ca.

In 1984 we moved to Albuquerque, NM where I managed the orthotic dept. of Albuquerque Prosthetic Center and again had the pleasure of working with Robert Bush, CPO and Walt Joslin, CPO. Jeanine became a Nurse Administrator for University Hospital and our sons enjoyed their new surroundings. In 1986 I decided to open my own orthotic and prosthetic facility in Albuquerque, OrthoTech began as just a one man operation and also functioned as a day care for my sons, those were the days!

In 1988 I became an examiner for the American Board for Certification in Orthotics and Prosthetics, meaning twice a year I would travel to exam sites to examine prospective candidates. I worked through the committee and served as chairman of the orthotic exam. I remain a devoted volunteer to the organization and continue even today as an examiner. I enjoy giving back to the community which has provided so much and so many rewards to my life. Over the years we opened our doors to so many young practitioners, providing their residency experience and ultimately they became Certified practitioners, these include Sam Weisberg, Jacque Starr-Newman, Lisa Urso, Valerie Hoffman, Walter Chaney, Jeff Ostermiller, Scott Stromberg, Sam Winkles, Melanie Blair, Norbert Graf, Eloy Padilla, Spencer Doty, Leon Lucero – the Albuquerque facility manager, and Jeanine Doty – the Los Angeles facility manager.

In 1992, we sold OrthoTech to Advanced Orthopedic Technologies, Inc., later becoming Nova Care Inc., where I served as Clinical Operations Director of New Mexico and Jeanine served as Administrative Manager for New Mexico. Which returns us back to the most exciting endeavor of our lives, Active Life!

In 1997 when Active Life opened in Glendale, Ca. we envisioned a small "mom and pop" operation, a family oriented business. All we were concerned with was finding ways to improve the quality of life for our customers and promoting an "Active Life" for each one of them!

In 2000, we opened our Albuquerque facility, we are very proud of this operation as Leon Lucero, our facility manager, and Fred Anaya have worked hard to overcome difficult competitive issues and built a successful practice believing that "Caring, to make a difference, makes all the Difference".

In 2002, we opened our East Los Angeles facility on the White Memorial Medical Center campus. Jeanine is the facility manager and this office continues to be one of the growth centers of our operation. Jeanine has special education and experience with the pediatric population and with the lymphedema/compression garment population.

In 2003, we opened our compression and post mastectomy center in Glendale, Ca. to better attend to the needs of our vascular and lymphedema population. Our staff utilizes the most modern laser scanning equipment to measure and record. Our clinics are far reaching throughout Los Angeles County and our reputation is unsurpassed. This office has received the Conrad Jobst Award 3 years running as the most accurate facility in the region.

In 2005, we will open our first Wellness Center for Amputees in Albuquerque, where we will work with other professionals, including physical therapists and physicians to better equip amputees for the daily struggle of life with an amputation, both physically and emotionally. There will be exercise classes, advanced gait training, ADL training and introduction of how to be involved in a more active lifestyle. We are excited and so should you, as we extend this "mom and pop" journey to new heights. We want to share the experience with each of you and look forward to meeting each of you in one of our facilities! Thank you for taking the time to read our life passion.

---Deane and Jeanine Doty