6 Generations of Compassionate
Clinicians Working for You

In 1866, Chauncy A. Frees began making artificial limbs to help soldiers injured in the Civil War. In 1874, he received the first of many awards for excellence for his care.

The small, family owned business continued to provide care over the years under the supervision of Mr. Frees’ son and then his grandson, Chauncy W. Frees. Then, in 1943, Howard Tyo, a promising Olympic hopeful skater from Northern New York, lost his leg in Italy. During his convalescence he took a strong interest in his own recovery and showed an aptitude for prosthesis that was encouraged by his doctors. He was soon assisting in the fitting of other veterans. He returned to New York and apprenticed in prosthetics under Chauncy W. Frees. Chauncy was so impressed with the young man’s skill that he took him on as a partner in 1952. Howard took over the business when Chauncy retired in 1964 and soon became recognized nationally as one of the leaders in the field of prosthetics.

Howard began his own family tradition when his son John, our current director, became interested in the field at an early age and followed him into the business. Under John Tyo’s direction, the practice grew from a local facility to the 10th largest provider of orthotic and prosthetic services in the U.S. John, driven by the need to provide more personal care, sold much of the company in 1996 and re-established a patient care facility here in Central New York in 1997. Today, the tradition continues through John’s own son, our CEO, Jeff Tyo.

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Family Tradition

Howard Tyo, John’s father, lost his leg in WWII and subsequently became a prosthetist and soon established his own practice. Kurt Marschall, first came to Syracuse from Germany on a work-study program at Syracuse University. Kurt needed a sponsor here in order to continue his stay, Howard became that sponsor. They worked together for several years and then Kurt established his own business. These two men became leaders in the field of prosthetic and orthotics with country-wide recognition for excellence.

Kurt’s son, Tony followed his father into the prosthetic business and established a well-known practice in Syracuse. In early 2019 Tony closed his practice and joined SPOC, completing the circle that was started by Howard and Kurt.  John and Tony stand on their fathers’ shoulders today. Following their lead, SPOC has earned the highest patient satisfaction rating possible by Quality Outcomes, LLC, the largest patient analytic company in the U.S.