Our History
Where We Started
Ray Tegerstrand Orthopedic Appliance opened in 1991 but the process to that vision was started by Ray Tegerstrand, CPO, in 1974. Ray would visit his wife Becky’s job site where she worked with orthopedically handicapped students. Ray fell in love with the children and found out that a local college was offering a degree program in Orthotics and Prosthetics. The rest is history.
After graduation and working and teaching in the field, Ray moved his family to Redding, California in 1984. In 1991 he opened Ray Tegerstrand Orthopedic Appliance on Park Marina Drive. A satellite branch in Mt. Shasta was also opened. The Redding facility was quickly outgrown and a larger facility was opened on Athens Avenue in 1993.
In the late 1990s, Tegerstrand was one of the first facilities to become accredited under the new guidelines by the American Board of Certification in Orthotics and Prosthetics. In 2011 Tegerstrand received the Bridge Award from the Redding Chamber of Commerce. Tegerstrand has also been recognized by the US House of Representatives, and since 2018 Tegerstrand has received the Freedom Award in recognition of our dedicated service and contributions to our nation’s combat veterans.
Where We're Going
Ray’s son Justin started following in his dad’s footsteps and developing his fabrication skill as a high schooler. After graduation Justin entered college, completed residency, and received his degrees and became a CPO in 2007. Becky entered the business in 1996 and received her certification as a mastectomy fitter in 2007. Unfortunately, Ray passed away in 2013 after a brief illness. At his service it was amazing to find out how many people in the field started with Ray’s encouragement and how many clients were touched by his skillful hand and big heart.
In 2018 growing pains again were felt and the business moved to its current location on Civic Center Drive. Another satellite office was opened in Chico that same year. The business was rebranded to Tegerstrand Orthotics & Prosthetics.
While many changes have occurred, Tegerstrand is now in 3 communities and is owned by a second-generation CPO. Ray’s legacy and vision lives on and continues to fill its mission statement: To provide quality health related services to meet the personal needs and improve the health status of the people in the communities we serve.