company History and profile

Prosthetic Laboratories of Rochester, Inc. was founded in 1984 by Steve Amundson and Mike Gozola. Since opening our original office by the shores of Silver Lake in Rochester, Minnesota, the business has grown to include more than a dozen offices in three states.

In the summer of 2003, after outgrowing our two previous locations, the home office relocated to a new state-of-the-art facility in southwest Rochester.

In addition, 2003 marked the year that GMS, Inc. was established as the parent company that encompasses Prosthetic Laboratories of Rochester, Lair’s Shoes, Silhouette Shoppe and Ortho Innovations.

When Prosthetic Laboratories first began, we had just one employee in addition to the founders. Our goal was to provide patient care of unequaled quality and service. Continually striving to meet this goal has earned our company an enviable reputation in the O&P business. Patients travel considerable distances to receive care from Prosthetic Laboratories.

Our reputation for exceptional care and service has led to the establishment of branch offices in a number of communities outside of the Rochester area. We currently have branch offices in Bemidji, Brainerd, and Mankato, Minnesota; Eau Claire, La Crosse, Madison, Onalaska and Stevens Point, Wisconsin; and Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

Prosthetic Laboratories has a staff of 85 employees, including 16 Certified Orthotists, 16 Certified Prosthetists, 5 Certified Pedorthists, 5 Certified Mastectomy Fitters, 2 Certified Orthotic Fitters and 7 Registered Technicians—more than any other accredited facility in the state of Minnesota.

Our Rochester location provides central fabrication services for all our offices to ensure that every product we deliver meets our strict company standards.

In addition to orthotic and prosthetic services, we also provide care for patients with mastectomy, lymphedema and pedorthic needs. We have two offices providing specialized care in downtown Rochester. Lair’s Shoes is a full service shoe store with a focus on pedorthic care and therapeutic footwear. The Silhouette Shoppe in the Kahler Hotel provides custom fitting and an extensive line of mastectomy and lymphedema products, both practical and fashionable.

As we continue to grow, the patient is still our number one priority. Our staff regularly participates in continuing education opportunities, particularly in the use of new technologies. Moreover, despite the growing trend in our industry to limit time spent with patients, we feel patient contact is at the heart of serving their needs.