Since they had been in the service business for years and loved the fast-paced nature of the taxi cab industry, it was a natural fit for Mark and Lori Mitchell to purchase the Happy Cab business from the Butler family when it became available ten years ago.  Since then, one of the biggest changes in the company has involved technology. 

They have gone from two-way radio dispatch to each driver having a Nextel phone that is electronically dispatched to them from their 24 hour dispatch system. They transport approximately 15,000-20,000 people per day, for everything from doctor visits, handicapped people to work, children to school, grocery runs and those not wanting to drink and drive.  The new technology has allowed for a smoother transfer of information with fewer errors.  Once the trip is completed, it is then electronically logged and billed to the customers.  Each vehicle is monitored through GPS technology for the safety of our drivers and passengers.

Lincoln Orthopaedic Center has called the star city home since its inception in 1948.  But, it did not start out with this name.

During the 1940’s, an orthopaedic surgeon names H. Winnett Orr made a name for himself by treating seriously infected war wounds.  Because there were no antibiotics at that time, infections were a serious problem.  Unlike other surgeons, Dr. Orr treated wounds by putting a series of casts on them, which would eventually heal the wounds.  After the war, Dr. Orr teamed up with another innovative surgeon, J.C. Thomson, who became famous in his own right for being the first to put in a hip prosthesis.  Together they went into practice in downtown Lincoln in the old Sharp’s building.  Dr. Orr and Thomson were the first and third Presidents of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.  Dr. Orr was famous in his field and his notoriety took him around the country, giving lectures.  Dr. Thomson could not handle all the patients by himself while Dr. Orr traveled, so he entered into his own practice.  Dr. Orr continued to practice general orthopedic surgery as well as starting a practice dedicated to children’s ailments such as cerebral palsy, club feet and congenital deformities.  The Children’s Orthopaedic Hospital, one of only eight in the country, was state sponsored and provided residents from around the country to rotate through and run the facility.  The hospital operated from the 1940’s until its closure in 1971.  After the closing of the children’s hospital, two orthopedic offices started by Dr. Orr and Thomson remained in Lincoln – the Lincoln orthopedic and Fracture clinic and the Lincoln Orthpedic and Rehabilitation Center.  In January of 1954 Lincoln Orthopaedic and Rehabilitation Center moved from the Sharp’s Building to a new location at 1000 South 13th and remained there until the practice moved to 6900 A Street in 1994.  The name was changed to Lincoln Orthopaedic Center, P.C. (LOC) in 1997.  In 1999, Lincoln Orthopaedic Center added the LOC Surgery Center, a two surgical suite ambulatory surgery center to round out their comprehensive services.  The Center employs nine surgeons who specialize in sports medicine, joint replacement, spine, hand, shoulder and general orthopaedics. 
They also feature a team of physician assistants, nurses, athletic trainers and skilled professional staff, all devoted to providing specialty care for musculoskeletal diseases and injuries.

by Carl Zeutzius, CWCA
UNICO Group, Inc.  434-7200